Runner with a backpack

For some strange reason the few people who run in London all seem to be running with backpacks. Now we couldn't figure out if this was an after work thing, hence the bag, or if they just prefer some extra weight since they are so damn skinny around here...Anyway, maybe something to test out at home? While we're on the subject of transportation let me just say that this whole driving on the opposite side of the road thing gets way out of hand when attempting to cross the street...might I just add that getting hit by an on duty police car isn't exactly the ultimate death wish. Also, considering the fact that the cars drive on the opposite side of the road, I was beginning to wonder if the people walk on the opposite side since I seemed to get side-checked more than I could handle (doesn't 'walk on the right' mean anything over here?). Once I could get past the whole public transportation thing we started getting the 'tube' (train system) down pretty well. Today we got a late start, since we spent so much of yesterday walking around after a long flight we were pretty exhausted. A good rest was definitely necessary and once we got over the fact that some strange woman tried breaking into the house who just so happened to be the cleaning lady, we eventually realized we should probably book our hostel in Brussels. Well...that didn't come so easy, you see we should have done that awhile ago...lesson learned. After many quick iPod searches and a call to wendelyn we hopped over to an Internet cafe and found something? Once all that was in order, or so we thought, we headed over to the London bridge, a few unique markets, and the design museum. This area we found to be really relaxing, many small side streets with pubs, shops and quiet atmosphere. It wasn't until we sat for a glass of wine did kim start to panic...she booked a place that has a history of bed bugs, yup NO THANKS. After a much needed search and a few phone calls we settled for a "cheap" hotel...so much for backpacking ;-) so within all this time we just so happened to forget to eat, no wonder everyone is so skinny around here! A small restaurant did the trick around ten p.m. as they were closing and refused to serve us alcohol...thanks london, after a long day and empty stomach an ice cold brew sounded amazing!!! So now it's time to learn our lesson and book our nights in Amsterdam cause I know that's the last place I wanna find myself homeless!! Ten more European mins of being 23...see ya when I'm 24!!!

Just touched down in London town

First of all...holy international business class!!!!! It was like Disney world, like a kid in a candy store. They pampered me like I was important and gave me food I didn't even know the name of. To top it all off my chair reclined into a bed and I slept like a small child in a food coma! the downside to this amazing experience was only the fact that we were delayed 4 hours out of Chicago and the plane being, like the little British woman next to me explained it, "oh hell...iz so freakin' bloody cold in heaa". She also made sure to mention to me her concern and confusion of why "american children are so stinky loud mouthed all the time"...disregarding all the negative comments, she was extremely helpful giving me 'what not to do' tips and suggestions on places to eat and visit. Kim and I managed to make up for any lost time spending over 9 hours later that day walking all over the city of London 'ooing' and 'awwwing' over architecture and of course, food...we don't waste any time! To back-track..kim and I were on seperate planes so by the time I finally got in she had been waiting about 2 hours and managed to figure out which train we needed to take to get to our destination. After looking like complete fools trying to use the stupid ticket machine we finally made it on the train, it was trying to get off with our massive bags that was the real challenge. So needless to say we made it to 'our' flat in downtown london, it's pretty much amazing...although not much of a preparation for the hostels! So we saw a TON in London yesterday and actually on our way back out now...no time shall be wasted--toodle-do!!

Final thoughts in the U.S.

What?! we leave tomorrow!!!! So this didn't REALLY settle in until last night when I had my entire room packed in boxes and suitcases and my backpack was set to go by the door. Kim and her dad were set to get me around 10:00p.m. and of course I have been packed for weeks now! It wasn't until about 9:45 when Kim came flying in the door going off about how "this is it-we're really going to europe for 5 weeks". At this very moment I was comfy on the couch learning all about about the Ipod Touch a friend is letting me borrow so I am "in the loop" with technology. Having this ipod touch will allow me to pretty much have everything at my finger tips from translators to currency converters and even the internet when it's available.
Since today is our last full day in the U.S Kim and I (and her mom) went to get our backpacks fitted to our bodies--ya, I didn't really knew that existed either. We went to a little hole in the wall, earthy crunchy store where one of the employees snaped and pulled all the little bells and whistles on our packs to make sure they were comfortable. A lot more goes into adjusting a backpack than you would ever imagine. Then Kim insisted we get our nails done (gotta be wearing those packs in style) so the three of us went to a local nail salon to get pampered (no complaining over here!).
So now we are pretty much ready to rock. We leave early in the morning to head up to Chicago for day with Kim's parents and then that's it...8 hours across the pond and the journey begins!!