Day Three: March 10

Noelle is here!!!

Michelle and I met Noelle, Jess and Tara at a sandwich place by the tube station. The sandwiches were so good. I got a salami with basil, tomato and lettuce. After lunch we went to Jess' flat and said our goodbyes to Tara, who was heading back to Madrid where she is studying this semester. Noelle, Michelle and I were the only ones in the flat so we all decided to squeeze into Jess' top bunk and spoon each other. We fell asleep like this and were woken later by a laughing Jess.

The four of us took a double decker bus to Trafalgar Square. This is one of my favorite places in London. I climbed on top of the lions in the square. We took a lot of touristy pictures then went into the National Gallery taking turns picking which rooms to go through. It was weird being in there again. It brought back memories of my high school trip to London. I had to give a presentation in the National Gallery. I found the painting and told Jess what I remembered. I enjoyed the museum much more this time around.

Hungry and tired after absorbing so much culture, we stopped at a "Pret a Manger" for some snacks. I had the best chocolate croissant I've ever consumed and enjoyed the sugar rush that hit me after drinking a hot chocolate and a coke.

We went back to Chris' and Michelle and I got in pajamas and cooked the boys pasta in a large trough. After dinner we relaxed with some drinks and waited for Jess and Noelle to meet us. They finally rang the doorbell and Noelle came in mocking me by screaming "woo" repeatedly in a high pitched voice. James later commented: "Yea... That was kinda weird. You guys talked so much about Noelle and then the first time I meet her she comes running into our place barking." Good times.

The boys took us to a bar called Archangel that night. Out of nowhere on the walk over, Michelle exclaimed in a loud and unusually deep voice, "Mmmmmmmm. Haaaaaaaaaayuuuuuuummmm." That quote became a frequently used phrase of the trip.

We were the only people in the bar but the atmosphere was awesome. We sat on the second level which was small with big couches and square leather chairs. White Christmas lights were strung at the ceiling and there were several different shaped mirrors along the walls.



We're back at Chris' now. Michelle and I are going to go talk late into the night about life and nothing.

Day Two: March 9

I woke up on the floor this morning. Chris was sitting next to me with his computer on his lap poking my arm and commanding me to watch a video. I reached for my glasses and put his computer on my lap. As I picked the sleepy seeds out of my eyes, I focused in on what appeared to be called the "poop button." When clicked, the graphic made a farting noise. After two or three repetitions, the graphic changed to that of one person pooping on another person. I've missed Chris this semester.

We all woke up slowly, got dressed and headed out for breakfast. The boys took us to the Gloucester Arms, a pub about five minutes away. We got there at about 1 pm but still ordered breakfast foods. The guys got "traditional" English breakfasts. Michelle and I were a bit put off by the beans element of the meal so she got a BLT and I got ham, eggs and giant peas. We sat for a couple hours eating and watching rugby while the guys finished their beers. One would assume rugby players would have busted faces but Michelle and I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery during the Italy vs. France match.

After the pub we all headed to the Natural History Museum. We were greeted by massive dinosaur skeleton reproductions and other exhibits including one of unidentifiable footprints that Chris lovingly determined to be footprints of "the Maria" crawling on the bathroom floor at 3 am. I assure you this has never happened. We continued on our journey enjoying the dinosaur exhibit including the "twowangosaurus" and other interesting spectacles. We moved on to the human body area of the museum and ducked under an Italian man videotaping a video exhibit of sperm penetrating an egg. The best exhibit in the entire museum was the giant baby, which appeared to be huddled in a massive pod. The baby was extremely creepy and much larger than any human I know. The room holding it was all black symbolizing the inside of a uterus. There was a sound machine playing what sounded like the bleeping of a submarine radar system alerting the crew to an approaching bomb. Apparently this was meant to simulate the experience of being in the womb. Utterly creeped out, we moved on to the animals exhibits but couldn't stay there long either. (Michelle loves cute animals and often looks at pictures of them online so she gave up this routine for Lent. Upon seeing the rodents and other small animals in the museum she whispered, "I shouldn't be here" and we soon left.)



After the museum we went to McDonalds for some Cadbury Egg McFlurries, which didn't really taste like Cadbury Eggs. Michelle and I went to Jess' to shower. That was the best shower I've taken in a very long time. The actual showers were about three feet by three feet. This made moving around rather difficult. Nevertheless, we were very happy to have a nice warm shower in a girl's bathroom.

We went to dinner at a Japanese restaurant with Tara and Jess then we met Chris and he took us to a hotel bar down the street. Since it was a Sunday, all the pubs closed early. We had one drink then left. It was a school night for Chris so we tried to get him back early. Chris slept on the floor of the family room and we had very interesting pillow talk while falling asleep.

Noelle is coming tomorrow!!! Hopefully Air India gets her here safely.

Day One: March 8

March 8. 10 AM

We land ready for London. The first British voice we hear is that of the customs officer who is demanding Chris' address. We give it to him and head to baggage claim hoping our luggage will greet us there.

I LOVE CONTINENTAL!!!! I can't believe they managed to get our luggage on our flight. We had less than 20 minutes to connect to a different terminal and they got our bags over too! London, here we are.

We don't really know what we're doing at all. Michelle brought her phone, which will work in London. We have Chris' number and we know we have to get to Victoria Station. We have no money, American or British. We are supposed to call Chris when we get on the express train to London.

We find the train, get on and turn on Michelle's phone. She takes out her notebook, locates and dials his number and hands the phone to me. All I hear is a deafening buzz indicating that the number doesn't work. I keep listening hoping that's just the dial tone but a polite British woman tells me I have the wrong number.

Shit.

The train moves closer to Victoria and we realize we may have the wrong number for Chris. We are supposed to be staying with him for the majority of the trip but all I know is he lives in Lexham Gardens. I have no idea what number or where that is. We try every variation of the number we can think of. Nothing. We don't have Jess' number. We try Tara's but it doesn't work. I know no one else. What are we going to do? We are so screwed. This wasn't planned out very well....


March 8. 12 PM

When we finally arrived at Victoria Station, we walked around trying to come up with a plan to locate Chris or his flat. We walked around aimlessly, strangely calm considering we were stranded in the middle of London completely lost with no money. Michelle and I, luggage in hand, stood in the middle of the station looking at each other helplessly.

CHRISTOPHER!!!!!

I see Chris standing five feet away in his prized Wailers sweatshirt eating a Cadbury Egg McFlurry. Thank the Lord! I ran over and gave him a huge hug. I can always count on Chris.

We took out money and headed for the tube. Chris carried our luggage up and down stairs leading us closer to his flat. You need your ticket to exit the tube station. I was a little frazzled and got my luggage stuck in the doors. Once again, Chris came to my rescue and pulled my huge Rugged Gear bag over the doors. A beam of light broke through the station ceiling illuminating this chivalrous deed. We exited the Gloucester station and walked to Chris' flat.

Not only do the Brits drive on the opposite side of the street, they also walk on the opposite side of the sidewalk and ride escalators on the opposite side. This caused several collisions near-fatal collisions between myself and the British.

Right now we're sitting in Chris' kitchen. He is located on the ground floor of the Lexham Gardens building. It is a beautiful flat. We were greeted by a sea of sleeping, half-naked boys when we arrived. Chris and his four roommates have other visitors this week.

Sitting in the kitchen, we can see the family room action through an open partition. The ceilings are extremely high and the huge windows that face the street let in a sea of light through the curtains. There are two couches, a long table, a TV and a fireplace in the family room. There are two bedrooms. One is a single and the other has two sets of bunk beds. Michelle and I will be sleeping in the family room. This is going to be awesome.


March 8. 5 PM

I just woke up from the best nap of my life.

Soon after arriving at Chris' flat, he brought us back to the station to meet Tara and Jess. It was sooooo good to see them. This is the longest I've gone without seeing Tara since college started. We all went to Portobello Market. The market looked interesting but it was cold and raining and Michelle and I were exhausted so we didn't take advantage of the sights. Instead of looking at the wares people were selling, we made fun of a lady dressed in bright green velvet with long, blonde dreads that probably hadn't been washed in years. She was the tree nymph. Chris bought ten apples for one pound (two dollars) and insisted I take a bite out of every one.

Tara and Jess wandered into a Lush store. The smell of those make me nauseous but we went in for the heat anyways. Chris and I exfoliated our hands and made fun of the weird products in the store. I spotted one called "Caca." There were many different kinds including "caca rouge," "caca noir" and "caca brun." We were laughing uncontrollably. Partly because we were delirious. Mostly because poop is funny. One of the employees noticed our interest in the product and cornered me to tell me all about it.

Girl: This is an all natural hemp product. You just pick one of them, for example caca noir. Heat it up and then rub it in your hair and it will dye the hair a dark black/blue colour. You can even mix caca rouge and caca noir and get a beautiful tint.

Chris giggled like a five year old while I tried to keep a straight face listening to this British woman tell me to rub caca in my hair.

We walked around the market some more and ran into Emily and Caroline. This was our first, but definitely not last, random BU encounter. Half the campus was there for spring break.

Michelle and I wanted to nap so we had Chris bring us home. On the way there, he decided to narrate everything I did in a British voice.

Chris: The Maria takes a massive bite out of the apple. She stalks her prey and tears into it with her killer teeth. The Maria is a dangerous animal. The Maria tells the Chris to shut up in an angry voice. Marrriiaaaaaaa!!

We arrived back at the flat, got into our PJs and passed out on the couches. We woke up smiling and found Chris, James and Kevin snuggling on couch cushions on the floor. Love permeated the air and all were euphoric.

March 9. 6 AM

Tonight we went to a club called Sirocco. Jess and Tara met us at Chris' flat. They had already consumed at least one bottle of wine. We caught up on the drama of semester two thus far. Tara drunk dialled my mother, telling her how much she loved her, my father and me. We walked to the tube in a group of at least ten.

As we tried to locate the club, several promoters approached us asking where we were going trying to lure us to the club they were sponsoring. After the fifth promoter, this became extremely irritating. It was almost as bad as trying to deposit a check and having the Bank of America people try to con you into a checking account and signing away your soul.

We found the club and stayed for a little while. Michelle and I had Mojitos and danced with the London abroad kids while trying to avoid creepy strangers attempting to join our dance circle. We took a night bus back and rode on the top level tired and excited to get in pajamas. We played caps (a game the boys made up to adjust to the lack of solo cups and the difficulty of playing beer pong in London). Michelle fell asleep on the couch. The boys were sitting on the second couch so I moved to the floor and eventually fell asleep as our hosts argued about basketball and politics.

I was woken at about six by James slamming a pillow into my face. Apparently everyone had engaged in a pillow fight that they thought I should be a part of. I woke up and tried to hold my own but fell victim to Chris and James. They wrestled me to the ground and my glasses nearly broke on my face. The fight ended. I am falling asleep laughing.

Getting there

I'm back from a week in London and still recovering from the amazing experience. I didn't have time to update while there, but I wrote down what happened and will add now as if I typed when things happened. My traveling partner for the duration was Michelle.

Here goes.....





Friday March 7. 8:50 PM

"Jordan and Fresh... Frank... Fr... Frances. Last call for Jordan and Fraces to gate C96 immediately!"

That was the fastest I've run since the Turkey Trot in ninth grade.

It was another fantastic journey with an American airline. Continental to be precise. Our first flight was delayed almost an hour but according to our calculations, we'd still have time to make our connection. Who knew. An hour later we were still circling around Newark, no ground in sight. Apparently there was a storm preventing a safe landing. Bladders full and delirious from the overwhelming need to pee, we made small talk with a six-foot-something Canadian high schooler with intolerably bad breath. He was a nice young man despite his poor hygiene.

We finally landed after circling the airport at least five times. Everyone was ready to battle to the exit and rush for their connections.

"Elbows up," Michelle encouraged me.

We had a flight to make too, damn it! I almost bowled over some bitchy-looking lady until I noticed she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. Even I'm not that heartless. We scurried off the plane frantically searching for a departure screen. We found the shuttle bus area, walked on to the tar mack and jumped onto the bus. The driver was talking to someone on his walkie talkie.

Driver: We ready to go?
Michelle: YES!!! GO!!!
Me: ... I don't think he was asking you.

As the bus approached gate C, our large Canadian friend told us to enjoy our run. We bolted up the stairs and started a brisk jog trying to follow signs to gate C96. We were at C73. Finally we found C90, which was when we heard our names echo through the terminal. Michelle championed ahead and I brought up the (far) rear. People stared as we laughed at the sound of the stern employee firmly warning Jordan and Frances that this was their last chance to board the flight to London.

We sprinted forward and finally got on the plane. The doors slammed behind us. Since the flight is about half empty, we got to choose our own seats. We sat down in the middle of the plane, sweating and winded. Michelle and I stared at each other for a few second.

Michelle: You sounded like a horse with those boots.

After taxiing for twenty minutes, we're finally taking off. I hope our luggage joined us on this journey to London Gatwick. Aaaaaaand we're off.



March 8. 6:30 AM

I slept with 200 people last night. Overnight flights are so intimate. I walked to the bathroom at one point while most people were asleep and laughed seeing all their gaping mouths and closed eyes. It's amazing feeling comfortable enough to sleep with a bunch of strangers when you think about it. Thank God the flight was half empty. Some people in the last row built huge forts with their blankets. Michelle and I each took our own rows. I slept with a seatbelt buckle up my butt. It was no Myles Standish extra-long mattress but it was comfortable considering the circumstances.

They are about to give us some breakfast. The flight attendant is an old lady with stringy hair tied back into a long braid that falls to the middle of her butt-crack.

Long hair creeps me out.

LONDON!

Ryan: it's what... almost five o'clock there?

me: hah no its almost 4

no daylight savings here

durrrrrr

it was a long night

i need rest

jeez

Ryan: durrrr? wow. you're just as lovely and charming four hours ahead as you are normally. what a shocker.

Catching up with Maria...

Food: Ham and cheese sandwich with mayo, lettuce and one slice of tomato.
Snack: Cheddar Crackers
Music: J Dilla (The Shining CD), Outkast (Stankonia CD)
Viewing Pleasure: Next Best Dance Crew
Reading Material During Stats: Vanity Fair
Website: Craigslist Missed Connections
News Story: Primary Results
Last Thing Wikipediad: Hamas
Quote: "People see the world as it appears through their windows and sidewalks." -Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray
Class Notes and Nonsense: "This class is pointless and annoying to me right now. I could be sleeping or better yet eating something delicious. I would follow that up by dancing, listening to music, checking Facebook incessantly and searching for new blogs to love." (Created today)
Bane of my existence: Stats
Project: Create playlists for the travel to London.
Thought: Why do people always change their hair when they're trying to change something in their lives? You're still the same person, stupid!
Can't stop thinking about: Estate, Cosmo the Venezuelan and trekking through a snow storm with Christina.
Goal: Make study guides and finish my taxes before London.
Best E-Mail: Luke trying to warn everyone that knows me to stay away.
I'd rather be: In London.