Another beautiful day in the UK

It is Wednesday 10:30am in London and today looks to be a beautiful sunny day and I'm looking forward to another day of walking the streets and checking out all London has to offer. Monday I was planning on doing a museum tour but lucked out as Ruth had to take the day off to send her family back home after their trip. We were able to connect and since she is a merchandiser and buyer for BHS (British Home Stores) I was able to hit a few secret areas of London where dept. stores unload their overstocks at rock bottom prices. Linen suit, £35! I felt bad for running Ruth around central London on her day off doing what she normally gets paid for but we had a great day. Thanks Ruth!

On Tuesday, I put my museum plan into action and visited the Natural History Museum first. I was impressed with the building alone but the exhibits contained within were unbelievable. I believe most all museums in London are free and that's an amazing feat considering the amount of traffic they see on a daily basis. However, with 17% sales tax I can see how this is possible! I saw the dinosaur, Earth sciences, and Darwin exhibits. Amazing all.

I next visited the British Museum. This has been my favorite so far. Here's a typical conversation I had at the info desk.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where the Rosetta Stone is?"
"Yes, thru those doors on your right, take a left and it's straight ahead."
"Thank you very much."
"Cheers."

What?! THE Rosetta Stone! I don't know why Napoleon's army didn't just ask at the info desk. Really helpful people there. Besides one of the greatest literature finds in mankind's history, which was the key to deciphering Egyptiann hieroglyphics, the British Museum also houses many carvings from THE Parthenon, stone carvings from Mesopotamia, Babylon!, mummys, Egyptian sarcophaguses, etc etc ad naseum...
Wow. Truly an amazing place and one you must visit if you have the chance.

Last night Paul came back into town from Brighton and we had dinner out with John and Ruth. It was a short evening as we were all tired but I believe we'll be joining a few others Thursday night for another get together. I've heard rumors of Lottie and Sara joining us so I hope to see them again as well! I'll have to update this blog better about Scotland when I can get all my thoughts together, but I'll never forget listening to Paul's newly acquired Richard Pryor CD as we were driving thru the Highlands. I'm sure that's a journey not many have taken. Fantastic stuff!

Oh yes, Thursday. The day I was supposed to be back home. Well, I've done it again and pushed my departure back until Monday. One last weekend in London will hopefully be enough but you never know! Just having too much fun and regardless of when I leave I know I'll be back soon!

Hope all is well with everyone and I'm looking forward to returning and joining my good friend Jim in Maryland for a Wilco concert towards the end of the month in the same venue we saw Radiohead at last year. Can't wait! Alright, enough of this. The sun is shining and I have a tube to catch to Hampstead Heath which is supposed to be the premier outdoor spot and park in London. Perfect day for it!

-Chris

London, England

It is Sunday 3:34 pm and I am in an internet cafe on Clapham High Street and back in good old London. John is with me as I am now in his reliable hands until I leave on Thursday. Had a great time in Scotland with Paul and Tracy before she left us and all her school mates at Napier yesterday. Big thanks to Tracy and all her friends for putting up with Paul and I in their limited space! They made us feel right at home and we even took part of a quiz night on their team in the local pub. We tied for third but lost the tiebreaker due to a James Bond stumper. Darn you Ian Flemming!

Paul drove us back to London yesterday which is about an 8 hour drive from Edinburgh. I had a pit stop at Ruth's house with my luggage upon returning as John hadn't quite finished with his economics test which many economists were taking throughout the world that day. I was able to sit and talk with her mom and brother who were in town for the week themselves. It nearly seemed normal meeting my friends families by this point. These relationships only continue to expand and I'm so grateful for it! John came by to walk me to his flat shortly after and we got ready for a night out on the town.

We had been invited to attend Sara's birthday party at a club just off Oxford Street called The Loop. She had a table reserved on one of the levels which was quite fortunate. All of London seemed to be at the club and around our section which was good as it saved me from walking around to meet them this week. We arrived at the club around 10:00 and went through several security points, passed the name-list test and found our way into a throng of sweating, dancing and drinking Londoners. I was looking for Sara but ran into Rob, Jaime and (the other)John from the later Sri Lanka volunteer group who Jesper and I had worked with. "Shocked" would be an understatement when I tapped them on the shoulder and they saw me. It was fun watching their faces turn from utter confusion into sheer excitement when they saw my face. It was tremendous fun catching up with them. I knew a few of them would be there that evening but they didn't know I would be present. That kind of surprise is always fun to be a part of! When Sara came into view it was a grand reunion all over again. Sara disappeared for a few minutes and then returned with Jane! Wow, I had no idea she was there and I think she was as shocked if not more so that I was in London at the bottom floor of this night club standing around all these distant yet familiar faces. I couldn't have stop smiling if you paid me in pounds.

Within 5 minutes more I saw about 4 other volunteers from their group and the shock, laughter, and dancing continued for several hours. I have a few pics of the night and will post when I return home. Great fun!! I was a bit tired from the non-stop Scotland adventure and return drive that day as John was as well from his exam and studies so we parted ways around 1:00. A few of the group has promised to get in touch with me in a day or so to take me out proper. Can't wait to see them again as well!

John and I hit a late night kebob cafe as we were famished. Since I've had 2 late night doner(lamb) kebobs in Scotland this week I opted for the more familiar taste of a processed hamburger patty and chips. It hit that magic spot only a late night Krystal or microwaved food can! John and his flatmates, Raf, place is really nice and I'm enjoying my own room and bed for the first time in over a week. Ahhh, the simple things in life. Travel certainly gives you an appreciation for privacy and space!

Ok, off to do a few touristy things in London. Not sure now if we'll make Paris but we'll look into it. So many things to do in London alone that you are constantly reshuffling as time passes. Hope all is well with everyone and I'll be in touch soon.

-Chris