End of the line...
Trip Start
May 02, 2005
1
12
Trip End
Jun 27, 2005
London, United Kingdom
Friday, June 24, 2005
Kris and I parted paths, for the first time in two months, at the Copenhagen central train station on Wednesday. I can't say it was a pleasant event as the two of us have sort of felt like one person at times. We've shared all the good, bad, and some ugly moments together and I can honestly say that at times it seemed as though we were married! LOL (others thought so as well!). Now she continues her adventure by travelling around Europe for a while, studying an intensive french language program in Montreux, Switzerland (life is tough), and then will finally settle in Paris in September on yet another school exchange. She's living the life so many only dream of and she's doing it extremely well too! I need to formally thank her for being the best travel companion one could ask for, especially putting up with me and my antics for the last two months as I'm sure it was no easy task. If she heard me attemp to speak in another foreign accent I think she'd clobber me!
Now I'm in London, staying at my Uncle's place. I had a heck of time passing through Immigration (go figure). For anyone that stays in the country for any period of time (even one day) you must fill out a landing card. You need to include the address and phone number of where you're staying as well. Having been my fourth time here, you would think that I would remember this. However, keeping with my travel traditions, I neglected to have my Uncle's contact information on me and this caused a bit of suspicion with the Immigration Officer! He grilled me for about 8 minutes and was finally satisfied when he said 'so who is picking you up?' and I responded, 'my Uncle is. that is why I don't have his address! I don't need it!'....
My Uncle and aunt also just had brand new baby boy. He's adorable, yet only turned 1 month yesterday so he's still basically something cute to look at as he doesn't exactly interact with anyone or anything other than his source of food!
The weather has been unbearably hot. I can remember it being this hot at the end of July in Greece last summer. Even the locals are rather perplexed with the intensity of it all - but I'm not complaining as it's a nice change to actually be able to wear shorts again! I'm actually lucky I still have any clothes at all for that matter. I did a wash here at my uncle's place when I arrived, however they have no drier. So, I stuck them in a plastic garbage bag and was going to take them to the drier down the street in the morning. I came downstairs later that evening to find that the bag was gone. Long story made short, my uncle thought it was garbage and threw it in the dumpster!! Good thing we caught it when we did as ALL my laundry would have wound up in some English landfill...
Last night I treated myself (as usual when I stay here) to a show in the West End. I saw The Producers, written by Mel Brooks, and it was hysterical. The production was fantastic, but the theatre was unfortunately packed and had NO air conditioning. It's evident the staff are aware of this though as they handed out paper fans to everyone as they entered.
I've got a few more days here to relax and then it's back to the hectic pace back home - I've already got my entire first week scheduled! This trip has been an unbelievably incredible experience - moreso than I had anticipated - and although I may be laden with debt, I can honestly say that every penny was worth it (well, I can think of a few pennies I could have saved, but at least those make for good stories!). Thanks to all of you who've been following along and keeping me updated with things back home. It's been a trip that I'll certainly never forget.
Until next time...
John
