Summer Adventure 2007

Okay, okay. I know I haven't blogged in a really long time. Suffice it to say I had a really good time in Seville (any one want to plan a trip back, with side trips to Portugal and Granada?), and didn't feel like blogging while there. It may be my new favorite place in Europe.

Computers are thin on the ground in Sicily, but I do like it. Palermo is CRAZY. We went on a tour of Mount Etna today. I can't figure out how to get to Borgetto, even though it's really close. I may have to do that another trip (tomorrow I really want to go to the beach). Next time I come to Italy I want to rent a car and apartment so I can travel around and cook my own food. the fresh fruit here is amazing. I'll show you pictures when I get back. i can't wait to see you all!

I am waiting to meet some people, so this might have to be cut short, but here are the beginning details of my adventure. So yesterday was my flight to Sevilla, and as I said before, I was very eager to get out of cold raining London. As I was instructed, I got to the bustop for Stanstead about an hour earlier than necessary and waited for the bus that was supposed to come every 20 minutes. It never came. After an hour, there were about 30 people waiting and still no bus. I got together with the people who had been waiting as long as I and we decided to split a cab...no big deal we still had time. So we call the cab-between the four of us it´s no more expensive, and wait another 20 minutes for it to arrive. The cab driver says it´ll take 1 hour-1 hour 10 minutes so, but we figure if we hurry when we get there it´ll be fine. The we hit a massive London traffic jam and it ends up taking about 2.5 hours instead. Needless to say, I missed my flight. I was able to rebook for this morning at 7:10 (it was 5 PM at the time) for an additional 50 quid, but I had to spend the night in the airport. Here are some observations after 14 sleepless hours in an international airport:

1. European men wear cropped pants. I don´t understand why. Sometimes with socks and sneakers.
2. The fancy Radisson Hotel at Standsted has a little warren of bunnies. There were no less than 12 on the lawn outside. I took pictures.
3. I am not cosmopolitan enough to look as though I could belong in the Radisson Hotel with it´s fancy "wine tower." No one said anything, though.
4. People sleep at airports all the time. They were everywhere.
5. I can not sleep in airports. I pulled my first all nighter since, well, ever.
6. My father cannot compose an email that will reach it´s intended destination, leaving me without a confirmed booking in Seville.
7. There is an old woman in Europe somewhere that uses "Hips Don´t Lie" as her ringtone.
8. The arrivals gate at Standsted bears some striking similarities to "Love Actually."

Now that I´m here in Seville, though, everything is going splendedly, but that´s another post. I´ll fill you in later.

S

I have reached the end of my patience with London weather. It has been cold and rainy for one too many days. Cold enough that I wish I had my winter coat. Luckily, I'm off to sunny Sevilla tomorrow. Today was just for doing laundry and going shopping for new books to read whilst (see how British I am?) in Seville and Palermo. I bought Twilight and a couple British Chick Lit. Carol, I'm sure you approve. This evening is definitely going to be spent in the pub.

Cheers!

Ok, as promised, here is my blog. My first few days in Europe have been good, though the weather is currently crap. I arrived at London Gatwick about 9:30 AM on Thursday, after a fairly uneventful flight. As I observed all of the Americans lining up in a queue that wrapped around six times and the an up a hallway, I merrily got into the EU citizens line and waited for the 5 people in front of me to get through. I was in and out in just about 2 minutes. It was great.

My hostel is pretty nice, though kind of out of the way. It's between Hampstead and Camden. It's clean, and there's always hot water (except last night when a pipe burst while I was in the shower), but the bathrooms are the smallest I've ever encountered.

I've had the same two roommates, Claire and Robin, since I got here, and a fourth "revolving" person. This person has been hit or miss. On one day, the fourth girl took it upon herself to borrow my flipflops without asking. You all know my aversion to sharing footwear. I was not amused. At first I just thought I'd lost them, and Robin and I looked all over. Robin thought she might have taken them, but I refused to believe. Who borrows someone elses shoes while they're in the room without asking?

I was so naive. Anyway, our current roommate, Gabby, seems very nice and has not been eyeing my shoes.

The first two days here were lovely. On Thurday I walked over to Camden Market and wandered around the stalls. I found some cute hooks for my apartment and some good Indian food at a stall. I found present ideas for everyone, but figured I'd wait until I've been to Sicily and Seville. I'll be in London again at the end. Friday I walked around with a guy from the hostel, but he was getting on my nerves so I ditched him when by saying I wanted to go shopping. Which I did, though I didn't buy anything. Oh, and I went to see Billy Elliot, too. It was excellent, but it took me awhile to get into, as it's much different from the movie.

Yesterday and today have been cold and dreary, so not as nice. I went to Cambridge yesterday and wandered around, but it would definitely be better in the sunshine. Today I mostly read my book at the hostel and coffee shops, though I did venture to the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was very interesting but overwhelming. They had a really cool exhibit of fashion throughout history. I liked the underwear bit.

Tomorrow it's laundry day, since I seem to have recently sat in gum that was not my own.

More soon!