Day 2

Today was beautiful! It was sunny and cool. No rain.
I have uploaded some pictures, but there are too many to post. I have some pictures of Big ben, Parliament, The London Bridge, the lions that "protect" the south bank, and me while Travis is on the phone.
It was a wonderful day on the top of a double decker bus. I was able to see so much and our guide had some great stories that I will be able to share with my classes.
Tomorrow - The Globe.
If it was not 3 am here I would write more.
Cheers!

Day 1

OMG! We arrived at Heathrow around 7 am. That is the best time to get in because the lines through customs were non-existent.
Jeremiah, Jennifer, and I waited for Travis then we grabbed the tube to our hotels. Since we were so early in the day we could not check in. The four of us met at a pub called Porcupine. We had some beer and lunch. I had fish and chips - had to! It is, sad to say, not much different than in the US. Their meat pies are yummy!
Basically we walked around - after Jen Bartley got here. It was cold, rainy, and confusing. I did not take my camera because I did not know what we would see.
The map I bought is perfection. The little black book of London. I have gotten it out so many times I need it hanging around my neck.
My Toms are life savers! I got soaked, but they dried overnight.
Last night we went to dinner and then a pub. Pubs close at 11. Clubs - which they call bars - are open until later. There are also after hours places open until 3.
There is so much to see and so much going on that I have only touched on a fraction of my day.
We are on the way to a bus tour. The Globe is open all day tomorrow. Guess what I will be doing.
Having a great time.
Cheers!

Houston Airport

I am in the Houston airport. This is not the coolest airport I have ever been in, but it is easy to maneuver throughout. I am in a "hotspot" using a free wifi. It is only free if you agree to watch commercials every few minutes. I can handle it for 45 min of internet access.
I just realized that there is a spell check on this system so there will be no more misspelled words, mom.
I am happy with my packing, but the carry-on I brought needs wheels. Arg! 20 lbs seems to get heavier every minute. I looked at renting a stroller type thing, but the cost is not clearly marked. If airports want to make money they need to clearly mark things.
Make money? lol I paid $4.00 for a bottle of water that would cost maybe $2.00 at 7-11. I am sure there will be no 7-11's in London.
There are a number of exchanges here. It seems the best price to "buy" money for the UK is $1.67 for 1 euro/pound. I am not sure if that is the best rate. The exchanges here "buy" back money at $1.25. They make a nice little profit. I like the convenience of it all, but wonder if there is a better rate.
It is hard to believe that I will be in London this time tomorrow. Thanks to mom, dad, and Scott I have everything I think I will need.
Mom packed up my raincoat this morning and dad got me a bagel. Scott and dad swooped in at last minute to get a converter.
Beware of amazon! I ordered a converter and I received an adapter. The item did not come directly from amazon, but a "seller" on their behalf. Just head to Target or Best Buy for all of the little things.
BTW - About 20 other people have my same cell phone ring. THAT is annoying.

2 sleeps

There are two more nights of sleep before the big trip.

Today I went over to visit Dawn. You will see a picture of Dawn and her brother putting a faceplate on a light switch. Dawn had loads of unpacking. I was over there for about 4 hours and we barely finished unpacking the kitchen. That is what happens when you put two friends together - slacking.

Mom and Aunt Suzanne came by to check out the house, too.

Mom and I went to Target for a few small items. Dawn informed me that not all European hotels have shampoo and whatnot.

I am pretty liberal so when it comes to food I am willing to try most things; however, I decided to take a few snacks like almonds, fruit snacks, and granola bars. You can never be too prepared. I am sure if the water tastes funny the wine will be fine.

I am taking an adapter and a converter so I am covered in the electricity area. I saw "Leap Year" last week and really hope I am not the one who will try to charge my iPod and end up blowing out a whole town's electricity.

Getting ready

I am packing. My apartment is a mess.

I am ever the procrastinator and I have yet to finish cleaning.

I have my spare room and laundry room clean, but the whole house needs to be clean before I leave. It is just no fun coming home to a dirty house.

My computer will be accompanying me on the trip so I can update.

4 sleeps until I leave.

To be continued

For anyone who watches or reads this blog I am heading to Great Britian. I will be spending a few days in the London area and then to Edinburgh, Scotland.
This blog is mainly for family to "keep up" with me. Also, I just cannot get myself together enough to scrapbook.
I am so excited about my trip that everyday I find myself smiling.