Covent Garden is like Times Square: one of those tourist magnets you head for soon after you move to a new city, but then try to avoid subsequently, especially during the holidays. But we found ourselves at Covent Garden this past Saturday because there are shops my son Jay likes there: GadgetShop and Eric Snook.

I was glad we went. Covent Garden -- which once housed one of London's great markets and now houses a brace of small shops mainly aimed at the tourist trade -- was hung with giant Christmas wreathes. Off to one side, a carousel spun around. And the buskers -- street performers -- seemed more appropriate at this time of the year. While Jay prowled through the novelty and gag gifts that make up Eric Snook's inventory, I stood outside and listened to two surprisingly good singers belt out opera.

Later, the singers were replaced by a quarter consisting of three violins and a cello, which launched into Vivaldi's "Spring". Familiar, yet welcome.

After we tired of Covent Garden, Jay and I headed down to the Strand, the east-west artery of London that parallels the Thames. It was dark by then. Our old friend, the No. 13 bus took us through Trafalgar Square, with its lighted Christmas tree and carolers, then on to Picadilly Circus and its flashing, lighted signs. From there we headed up Regent's Street, packed with shoppers and festooned with twinkling Christmas lights. A left turn took us onto Oxford Street with its shops, shoppers and lights. Finally, a right turn onto Gloucester Place heralded the "quiet" part of the trip, zipping northward to Finchley Road and home, passing Regent's Park and its London Central Mosque on the way.

This is always a great bus ride but even more so this time of the year. We're very lucky.