Where do we even begin? It has truly been a wonderful trip and an amazing experience. Here are some photos from Durham. Last night after arriving back to London, we decided to take it easy. Both of us were exhausted from all the travel so we got cleaned up and enjoyed doing nothing for the rest of the night. We were in bed early and slept in this morning. Hopefully it won’t be too difficult to adjust back to Central Standard Time. After breakfast, we decided to take a walk to a local park and people-watched from a park bench. It was still amazing to both of us the amount of diversity we saw.
The transfer service picked us up around 11:30 and we took off for the airport. I’ve never seen Sara so annoyed/frustrated/maybe even pissed than during the hour-long trip to the airport. Two couples got on the transfer shortly after us and there was not a silent second the rest of the trip. One of the girls, according to Sara, “Had the loudest, most annoying voice ever.” Now most of you know that Sara does not get annoyed very easily, but the look on her face said it all when she asked if I had any ibuprofen in my bag. What probably didn’t help was they were speaking in a different language and part of the jibberish was being shouted into a cell phone.
We finally made it to the airport and didn’t have any problems from there. Security stopped Sara because obviously she looks suspicious. We boarded and prayed the wiper motor was functioning. The flight got in the air about 40 minutes behind schedule but we were told it would only affect our arrival time by about 5 minutes. Now as we sit here in flight I figured I would try to be creative and make a top ten list from our trip. Here goes:
Top 10 Experiences from Abroad
10. Air transportation is wonderful when you leave the ground. Packing an extra pair of clothes in your carry on is a better idea than previously thought
9. The French are a$$holes! Ok, not really, but they drive on the right side of the road and like their wine (so did we).
8. Look right, left, then right again before crossing the road.
7. The English can’t make up their mind whether to use the metric or standard system.
6. “Cheers” is appropriate to say to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
5. Sandwiches are not finger-food in England and the English eat like champs.
4. 19 degrees Centigrade is not “summer” weather.
3. English cider makes your head pound the next day.
2. The Queen’s jewelry box is larger than our apartment.
1. Traditional English weddings are extravagant and beautiful.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Out of a fairy tale
This trip to Durham has been out of a fairy tale. We are right now sitting in a bar called Varsity. We have about three hours until our train comes into town. So, I am going to take the time to elaborate on this truly unique wedding and city.
First of all our stay was in a castle over 900 years old. The entire time I was sleeping there I was thinking about how old it was and how for sure there had to be ghosts somewhere…right? It’s a castle. I can sometimes be a little paranoid about the supernatural. Justin just rolls his eyes and shakes his head but, I will come back to this story in a while.
Friday Zoe had a team of make-up and hairstylists come into the castle. The prep took several hours. We had the Bishop’s Suite which was two huge rooms with a sitting room, dining room, bedroom with a HUGE four poster bed and a bathroom up a narrow flight of stairs. We spent from 9-2 getting ready, taking pictures, eating lunch and drinking champagne. At quarter to two the chaplain and a bag pipe player escorted us to the chapel. Zoe looked like a queen. She was so elegant and poised. The actual marriage was very quick and then we “registered” the marriage by signing three documents. After that, the sermon and hymns, the sermon was great for Zoe as the chaplain talked about marriage as the icing on the cake. Zoe is a dessert fiend so for the chaplain to take that angle was perfect for her.
We all filed out to the courtyard where we had appetizers and champagne. The photographer took pictures of EVERYONE at the wedding in front of the entrance. (I thought that was cool) I think that the photographer took a total of three pictures of the bridesmaids with the bride and groom. We took zero as an entire wedding party. After the reception we went into the great hall for the wedding breakfast. I found out that wedding breakfast is the first meal as husband and wife because breakfast is the first meal of the day that is why it is called that.
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS MEAL!!!!! There were about 130 gests at square tables in a great hall…..imagine knights. King Arthur, and you pretty much have it. I was at the head table but here was the layout….best man, mother of groom, father of bride, bride, groom, mother of bride, father of bride and me. Different. There was an MC and he “called upon” people to make speeches. It was the most formal dinner I have ever been to. There were 5 courses with three desserts! There was a pastry with mozzarella cheese we ate that and sat, then there was champagne sorbet, we ate that and sat, then there was lamb, potatoes, and vegetables we ate that and sat, then they came out with dessert it was a cold fruity parfait with chocolate, they cleared that and we had coffee and petit fours. WOW I think the dinner took at least 2 hours. Then we were kicked out of there so that they could turn around the hall for the dancing. More guests were invited to the dancing portion, apparently only close friends and family go to the dinner.
There is a bar on campus just two steps from where we were so we could get drinks. Very convenient. But, after that meal it was very hard to drink….I was stuffed. We had a great time dancing the night away….The people were so much fun! The entire day was over at 1:00am and needless to say I was EXHAUSTED!
It was GREAT talking with Sarah, Michelle, and Clinton who are Australian…They are fascinating. Justin and I want to go there now! Many Houston folk were there too, it was nice to know that we weren’t alone when it came to understanding what people are saying and navigating the new areas.
There is so much that I left out I just know it. When we talk with you though I know I will remember.
Going back to the supernatural thing though….while I was sitting next to Eddy who is Jonathan’s dad we started talking about the castle and how old it was and he said, “I hope you see the ghost while you are here.” At first I thought he was joking with me a naïve American but no he was NOT kidding he was stone cold serious. Sandra, Zoe’s mom is like yeah, it lives on the stairs. (Apparently this black staircase is a huge thing for this University) Eddy said, it comes by with the smell of gardenia so needless to say I had my nose working on overtime after that. During the reception I swore I smelled gardenia but it was a lily on the ledge. Then during the night I got a SEVERE CRAMP in my calf and as I stood up to alleviate the pain I kept my eyes closed just in case “Casper” decided to be in our room at that precise moment. BUT apparently according to Eddy and Sandra it is a “friendly” ghost because it lives around all the people and students who are there. Hummmmmmm.
At 3:40 we are boarding the train for London and then will be flying back Sunday at 3:15….hopefully we won’t have any drama with United.
See you soon!
First of all our stay was in a castle over 900 years old. The entire time I was sleeping there I was thinking about how old it was and how for sure there had to be ghosts somewhere…right? It’s a castle. I can sometimes be a little paranoid about the supernatural. Justin just rolls his eyes and shakes his head but, I will come back to this story in a while.
Friday Zoe had a team of make-up and hairstylists come into the castle. The prep took several hours. We had the Bishop’s Suite which was two huge rooms with a sitting room, dining room, bedroom with a HUGE four poster bed and a bathroom up a narrow flight of stairs. We spent from 9-2 getting ready, taking pictures, eating lunch and drinking champagne. At quarter to two the chaplain and a bag pipe player escorted us to the chapel. Zoe looked like a queen. She was so elegant and poised. The actual marriage was very quick and then we “registered” the marriage by signing three documents. After that, the sermon and hymns, the sermon was great for Zoe as the chaplain talked about marriage as the icing on the cake. Zoe is a dessert fiend so for the chaplain to take that angle was perfect for her.
We all filed out to the courtyard where we had appetizers and champagne. The photographer took pictures of EVERYONE at the wedding in front of the entrance. (I thought that was cool) I think that the photographer took a total of three pictures of the bridesmaids with the bride and groom. We took zero as an entire wedding party. After the reception we went into the great hall for the wedding breakfast. I found out that wedding breakfast is the first meal as husband and wife because breakfast is the first meal of the day that is why it is called that.
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS MEAL!!!!! There were about 130 gests at square tables in a great hall…..imagine knights. King Arthur, and you pretty much have it. I was at the head table but here was the layout….best man, mother of groom, father of bride, bride, groom, mother of bride, father of bride and me. Different. There was an MC and he “called upon” people to make speeches. It was the most formal dinner I have ever been to. There were 5 courses with three desserts! There was a pastry with mozzarella cheese we ate that and sat, then there was champagne sorbet, we ate that and sat, then there was lamb, potatoes, and vegetables we ate that and sat, then they came out with dessert it was a cold fruity parfait with chocolate, they cleared that and we had coffee and petit fours. WOW I think the dinner took at least 2 hours. Then we were kicked out of there so that they could turn around the hall for the dancing. More guests were invited to the dancing portion, apparently only close friends and family go to the dinner.
There is a bar on campus just two steps from where we were so we could get drinks. Very convenient. But, after that meal it was very hard to drink….I was stuffed. We had a great time dancing the night away….The people were so much fun! The entire day was over at 1:00am and needless to say I was EXHAUSTED!
It was GREAT talking with Sarah, Michelle, and Clinton who are Australian…They are fascinating. Justin and I want to go there now! Many Houston folk were there too, it was nice to know that we weren’t alone when it came to understanding what people are saying and navigating the new areas.
There is so much that I left out I just know it. When we talk with you though I know I will remember.
Going back to the supernatural thing though….while I was sitting next to Eddy who is Jonathan’s dad we started talking about the castle and how old it was and he said, “I hope you see the ghost while you are here.” At first I thought he was joking with me a naïve American but no he was NOT kidding he was stone cold serious. Sandra, Zoe’s mom is like yeah, it lives on the stairs. (Apparently this black staircase is a huge thing for this University) Eddy said, it comes by with the smell of gardenia so needless to say I had my nose working on overtime after that. During the reception I swore I smelled gardenia but it was a lily on the ledge. Then during the night I got a SEVERE CRAMP in my calf and as I stood up to alleviate the pain I kept my eyes closed just in case “Casper” decided to be in our room at that precise moment. BUT apparently according to Eddy and Sandra it is a “friendly” ghost because it lives around all the people and students who are there. Hummmmmmm.
At 3:40 we are boarding the train for London and then will be flying back Sunday at 3:15….hopefully we won’t have any drama with United.
See you soon!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Durham
HAPPY FRIDAY. We made it to the day of the wedding which should be a great time. Yesterday we made the trek from London to Durham and found our way to the castle. The town of Durham is beautiful. As we were walking around the university, we ran into Zoe's mum, dad, and brother and had a quick lunch with them. As we were sitting in the pub, Zoe walked by so they flagged her down and she joined us as well.
After lunch was rehearsal followed by some beers at a pub downtown. In England it's not customary to have a rehearsal dinner, but they still had one for those from the states that traveled and close family. The food was great and it was fun to mingle with all the English folk. Following rehearsal dinner, we walked downtown to a different pub where we had a room to ourselves to sit and relax. The beer over here is quite a bit stronger than what we're used to in the states so it didn't take long until we were feeling the effects. We decided to call it a night and walked Zoe back to the castle. By the way, our room is really cool. We're on the top floor of the arch entry-way into the castle. Other than the two twin beds, it's perfect.
This morning, Sara got up and went to breakfast with Zoe and is now with her to get her hair and make-up done. I was able to go for about a 40 minute run along the river path. It was very pretty and much needed after all the food we've been eating. I decided to get cleaned up and went to the university's library to check email and fill everyone in with a blog.
It's hard to believe our trip is almost over. I'll be sure to post more pictures tomorrow on our train ride back to London.
After lunch was rehearsal followed by some beers at a pub downtown. In England it's not customary to have a rehearsal dinner, but they still had one for those from the states that traveled and close family. The food was great and it was fun to mingle with all the English folk. Following rehearsal dinner, we walked downtown to a different pub where we had a room to ourselves to sit and relax. The beer over here is quite a bit stronger than what we're used to in the states so it didn't take long until we were feeling the effects. We decided to call it a night and walked Zoe back to the castle. By the way, our room is really cool. We're on the top floor of the arch entry-way into the castle. Other than the two twin beds, it's perfect.
This morning, Sara got up and went to breakfast with Zoe and is now with her to get her hair and make-up done. I was able to go for about a 40 minute run along the river path. It was very pretty and much needed after all the food we've been eating. I decided to get cleaned up and went to the university's library to check email and fill everyone in with a blog.
It's hard to believe our trip is almost over. I'll be sure to post more pictures tomorrow on our train ride back to London.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Some pictures
The internet here has been hard to come by and expensive. We were able to get free Wi-Fi on the train from London to Durham so we used that time to post some more blogs and add pictures to Picasa. Here is the link to just a few of the pictures that we have taken so far.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stanekjustin/Europe?authkey=wCcyk2jyu50
http://picasaweb.google.com/stanekjustin/Europe?authkey=wCcyk2jyu50
Enjoy!
Paris….tres magnifique!
Bonjour!
Today we spent a magnificent day in the romantic city of Paris. Our guide called us at 6:30 a.m. and we came down to be met by a man who drove us to St. Pancras station where we were guided onto the Eurostar train. We traveled to Paris is 2 hours and 15 minutes under the English Channel at speeds of up to 180mph. (On an interesting note, we learned that although English people measure most things using the metric system they drive in mph as well as calculate distance using miles as well….interesting. Also, in Paris they drive like in the US…right side of the road, driver on the left.)
We went to Gare du Nord station and were met by Madeline and Charlotte who took us around Paris. We first went on a bus tour and then went to the Eiffel Tower for lunch. We were brought to the front of the tremendous line (over two hour wait) to the lift that took us to the Altitude 95 restaurant. We enjoyed a two course Parisian meal with champagne and red Bordeaux. Justin and I ended up drinking an entire bottle ourselves because no one at our table was drinking it and there is no use wasting it. While we were leaving we saw that others hadn’t touched it as well….I wish we could have bottled it up and taken it with us ☹ The meal consisted of marinated green olives, poullet (chicken), and carrot mashed potatoes. We had dessert which was a chocolate and pistachio pudding and then a coffee. It was fantastique!!!!!
We walked around the first floor of the tower which is tremendously high and our guide pointed out some interesting sights. Then we went on a scenic boat tour down the River Seine we saw Notre Dame and many other beautiful sights. We floated under a bridge (can’t remember the name, we’ve seen so many) and made a wish…we were told that whatever we wish for will most certainly come true by the end of the year. We’ll see if it does!
After the cruise we were taken to the Louvre where we saw the inverted pyramid from the DaVinci Code Movie and book. Justin and I left the group then and walked down the Champs Elysees and reveled in the fact that we were in PARIS!!!! What a life. Everything seems so relaxed and calm. (Except the TRAFFIC) We walked through the park area that reminded me of the mall in D.C. but instead of museums and monuments lining the path it was the beautiful architecture of the Louvre and many Parisians laying in the grass and sitting at cafes…Do they work?
Then we took the Eurostar back and now were packing up our things to head to Durham tomorrow for the wedding! We are all on our own tomorrow. We’ll see if we can navigate our way.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Winchester, Stonehenge, and Bath....and a show!!
Today was our second trip out of London where we took a trip to Winchester, Stonehenge, and Bath. Winchester proved to be next to worthless and I think they drop us off there to break up the drive some. There was a cathedral in the town but we decided, “If you’ve seen one cathedral, you’ve seen them all.” Probably not the most true statement but we only were there for roughly 45 minutes. We did stop at a small pastry shop and enjoyed some tea and pastries.
After Winchester, we continued on to Stonehenge. We were given an audio-tour of the area which was interesting. There’s so much speculation about the area, nobody knows what to believe. Regardless, we can check one of the Seven Wonders of the World off our list.
Our last stop, and easily our favorite, was Bath. We could have easily spent a few days here. Again, we had an audio-tour through the ancient Roman baths and had just enough time to grab a sandwich before we had to get back on the coach (what they always call the charter bus). The Roman baths were incredible…it’s hard to believe these were built over 2000 years ago and still function today. The thought and time put into making these work is simply amazing. At the end of the tour we were able to drink a glass of the natural hot-spring water. The water was still warm and let’s just say not too many glasses were returned empty.
A late quick decision was made to try to see a show when we arrived back in London. We got off the tube at Covent Garden and stopped in a pub right across from where they were performing Avenue Q. The show started in less than an hour so Sara ran across and was able to get 2 tickets. The show was great!!!! Very funny and we’re glad we were able to get to one. On our final stop at the internet café before heading back to the hotel. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be even longer with our trip to Paris.
After Winchester, we continued on to Stonehenge. We were given an audio-tour of the area which was interesting. There’s so much speculation about the area, nobody knows what to believe. Regardless, we can check one of the Seven Wonders of the World off our list.
Our last stop, and easily our favorite, was Bath. We could have easily spent a few days here. Again, we had an audio-tour through the ancient Roman baths and had just enough time to grab a sandwich before we had to get back on the coach (what they always call the charter bus). The Roman baths were incredible…it’s hard to believe these were built over 2000 years ago and still function today. The thought and time put into making these work is simply amazing. At the end of the tour we were able to drink a glass of the natural hot-spring water. The water was still warm and let’s just say not too many glasses were returned empty.
A late quick decision was made to try to see a show when we arrived back in London. We got off the tube at Covent Garden and stopped in a pub right across from where they were performing Avenue Q. The show started in less than an hour so Sara ran across and was able to get 2 tickets. The show was great!!!! Very funny and we’re glad we were able to get to one. On our final stop at the internet café before heading back to the hotel. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be even longer with our trip to Paris.
Oh My Goodness! Watch out for that bus!!!
Today we started out at 7:25 with a pick-up for a day trip to Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Cotswalts, and Oxford. We drove to Oxford first and went to Christ Church College. This is an extremely old college and has roots with Henry the VIII, Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter and Albert Einstein. The guide compared Oxford University to the human body where Oxford University is the head and all the respective 39 colleges are members of the body. Christ Church is a college under the head of Oxford University. The education system was also explained and all parents pay for elementary school from K- age 16. Then, at 16 students can enter the workforce or go onto College of Higher learning for two years. Then, if they continue they would start to apply to University. You cannot apply to Oxford you must be nominated by your tutor and then go on a three-day interview. If you are selected, you can study there for three years with no tuition! How do you like that mom and dad?!?!?! 12 percent of the students come from outside the country.
Then we went on a drive through the Cotswalts. Beautiful countryside that is four sure. Then, we went to lunch at The Bell. It was a unique pub and restaurant in the middle of the country right outside of Stratford-upon-Avon. We had a great meal and continued on to Shakespeare country. Shakespeare’s birthplace was completely crowded. We barreled through the masses and arrived at the birthplace home. It was very big for the time. The floors we original and it was mindboggling to know we were standing on the floor that Shakespeare did long ago. The village itself was a typical village very old and lined with all kinds of shops.
For our last stop of the day we went to Warwick Castle where the Earl of Warwick lived. We learned many things about how castles worked and who got to build them. This was an original castle from the middle ages. One thing we learned is that before there were castles there were hills. There was a hill there ordered to be built by William the Conqueror. We walked around the top of the castle, went in the great hall, dungeon, toured a wax museum type of display about how the castle was used in the middle ages and went through the 1700s when the Earl and his wife Daisy would entertain people like Winston Churchill and Prince Edward. It was quite elaborate. They lived in major luxury. Running water and everything.
We drove two hours back to London to get dropped off at Piccadilly Circus where we ate sushi and Justin was almost ran over by a double-decker bus. He was just so overcome by the beautiful screens and majestic beauty of the statue that he literally walked right out in the middle of the road with his nose in the air taking everything in. Quickly I reached over to drag him to safety and asked “what were you doing???? You almost got ran over!” He laughed and said “I don’t know my mind blanked out. “ Yeah, it must of. ☺ Tomorrow we are off to Bath, Winchester, and Stonehenge.
Then we went on a drive through the Cotswalts. Beautiful countryside that is four sure. Then, we went to lunch at The Bell. It was a unique pub and restaurant in the middle of the country right outside of Stratford-upon-Avon. We had a great meal and continued on to Shakespeare country. Shakespeare’s birthplace was completely crowded. We barreled through the masses and arrived at the birthplace home. It was very big for the time. The floors we original and it was mindboggling to know we were standing on the floor that Shakespeare did long ago. The village itself was a typical village very old and lined with all kinds of shops.
For our last stop of the day we went to Warwick Castle where the Earl of Warwick lived. We learned many things about how castles worked and who got to build them. This was an original castle from the middle ages. One thing we learned is that before there were castles there were hills. There was a hill there ordered to be built by William the Conqueror. We walked around the top of the castle, went in the great hall, dungeon, toured a wax museum type of display about how the castle was used in the middle ages and went through the 1700s when the Earl and his wife Daisy would entertain people like Winston Churchill and Prince Edward. It was quite elaborate. They lived in major luxury. Running water and everything.
We drove two hours back to London to get dropped off at Piccadilly Circus where we ate sushi and Justin was almost ran over by a double-decker bus. He was just so overcome by the beautiful screens and majestic beauty of the statue that he literally walked right out in the middle of the road with his nose in the air taking everything in. Quickly I reached over to drag him to safety and asked “what were you doing???? You almost got ran over!” He laughed and said “I don’t know my mind blanked out. “ Yeah, it must of. ☺ Tomorrow we are off to Bath, Winchester, and Stonehenge.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Blog 3
The day started out with great news…American Airlines had received our bags from United and they made it to London. We were told we could expect our bags by early afternoon. Of course we couldn’t just sit there and wait so we headed out in the clothes we had for the third day in a row and made the most of it.
We had bought tickets for the Tower of London tour the previous day so we headed that way. We decided to take the scenic route and crossed Millennium bridge and got some good pictures. The audio tour through the Tower of London was very interesting and we spent a couple hours walking around there. After the tour, we each enjoyed our first British fish and chips meal at a local pub.
After the meal we decided to use the tube and try to get to Wimbledon. They have a great park but we weren’t able to get very close to the stadium itself. We did get to see some locals playing on grass courts and walked through the large park where many were enjoying a picnic meal or lounging under the sun.
Now, we’re finally on our way back to our hotel to see if we will get to enjoy a change of clothes. Cheers.
Blog 2
….and the bags didn’t make it. Did we actually think that United would do something responsible like their JOB? Ugh. Now we are going on day three with no luggage. We were told by someone on the phone from American that the luggage will be on a 6am flight, processed and then delivered to all the respective hotels. Are we going to get excited?? I will be excited when I have my bag in my hands. Good thing they are coming before Friday. I would hate to have to tell Zoe, guess what? I have no dress and no shoes….is it okay if I wear blue jeans and a lime green t-shirt with white sandals to your wedding?
Well, anyway we did get a chance to do some fun things today like the double decker bus tour. We saw St. Paul’s Cathedral, (Hey Nate the statue in front of St. Paul’s is of Queen Anne. On the inscription it says The Original Statue) Trefalger’s Square, Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Buck House ☺ (Buckingham Palace) , Grenwinch, and had an ale at a local pub! Enjoy the pictures. Oh yeah, I forgot we also took a river cruise and got stopped by the police. It was just a random stop to check for out of the ordinary things but we have a cool police report to put in our scrapbook now.
From now on our blogging will be seldom. Internet access is 6 pounds per hour. Which is 12 dollars so we will be blogging in a word document every day and then posting several at one time. Take care! Please pray, chant, do an Indian rain dance or something that our bags arrive soon! Good God.
WE MADE IT!!
Let’s start from the beginning. We arrive to the airport and everything is running smoothly. We board the plane and are excited to begin our journey. However, due to a faulty wiper blade motor, our plane stayed stationary on the tarmac from when we boarded (approximately 4:45 PM) until almost 10:00 PM. Apparently FAA regulations do not allow a plane to fly with out having functioning wiper blades.
After they decided to cancel our flight, we were left in the terminal lobby with 174 frustrated passengers trying to figure out how we were all going to get to London. We were in the front third of the line which would seem nice, except the line rarely moved. The amount of confusion/ineptness by the people at the ticket counter had Sara and I extremely frustrated and all we could do was laugh. The endless comments about the Asian gentlemen that stood behind the counter with his arms crossed, pretending to “oversee” the operation yet doing absolutely nothing, had us and the few good hearted people behind us at least smiling.
Eventually, we made it to the counter, received vouchers for hotel, food, and transfer to a different flight the next morning. Before leaving the airport we went down to customer service for United airlines to stand in yet another line. We were assured by a large bearded man that our bags would have no problem being transferred to our other flight. We arrived to our temporary hotel, got about 3 hours of sleep before returning to the lovely O’hare airport. After waiting in yet another line, we were told by Randi that the tickets we had were no good from United and we would need to return to United (in Terminal 1, American Airlines is in Terminal 3) and come back so they could process our seats. We oblige and get what we need completed. When we return to American we decide we should check on our bags to make sure they will be transferred to our next flight. Forty-five minutes later, after the nice American Airlines worked her tail off to get to the bottom of the baggage situation, we leave with no definite answer so we can proceed through security to make sure we reach our gate in time.
The flight has been relatively uneventful. Reading, movies, and sleep have helped passed the time. As we sit here making our final decent into London, we can only pray that our bags made it with us.
After they decided to cancel our flight, we were left in the terminal lobby with 174 frustrated passengers trying to figure out how we were all going to get to London. We were in the front third of the line which would seem nice, except the line rarely moved. The amount of confusion/ineptness by the people at the ticket counter had Sara and I extremely frustrated and all we could do was laugh. The endless comments about the Asian gentlemen that stood behind the counter with his arms crossed, pretending to “oversee” the operation yet doing absolutely nothing, had us and the few good hearted people behind us at least smiling.
Eventually, we made it to the counter, received vouchers for hotel, food, and transfer to a different flight the next morning. Before leaving the airport we went down to customer service for United airlines to stand in yet another line. We were assured by a large bearded man that our bags would have no problem being transferred to our other flight. We arrived to our temporary hotel, got about 3 hours of sleep before returning to the lovely O’hare airport. After waiting in yet another line, we were told by Randi that the tickets we had were no good from United and we would need to return to United (in Terminal 1, American Airlines is in Terminal 3) and come back so they could process our seats. We oblige and get what we need completed. When we return to American we decide we should check on our bags to make sure they will be transferred to our next flight. Forty-five minutes later, after the nice American Airlines worked her tail off to get to the bottom of the baggage situation, we leave with no definite answer so we can proceed through security to make sure we reach our gate in time.
The flight has been relatively uneventful. Reading, movies, and sleep have helped passed the time. As we sit here making our final decent into London, we can only pray that our bags made it with us.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Trip Itinerary
July 10, 5:15PM--Depart from Chicago O'Hare for London
July 12--London Sightseeing Tour
This hop-on, hop-off bus tour will take us to major sites with guided English (with accent) commentary.
July 13--Free day in London.
July 14--Warwick, Stratford, Oxford, and the Cotwolds
This tour will include seeing Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford upon Avon, Christchurch College, the Allice in Wonderland gardens, the dining hall from the Harry Potter movie, and a champagne reception in the gardens.
July 15--West Country: Winchester, Stonehenge, and Bath
Sites during the day include the Winchester Cathedral, Stonehenge, Bath Abbey, and the famous Roman Baths.
July 16--Day trip to Paris
Traveling on the Eurostar train at speeds near 185mph, we'll arrive in Paris in roughly 2 hours. Here we will take a guided tour seeing the major sites such as Notre Dame and Champs Elysees. After the tour we will go the Eiffel Tower for a champagne lunch at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Following lunch we will have a guided tour on the River Seine and then have free time in the city to visit other sites.
July 17--Travel to Durham
The Brit Rail will take us north from London to the city of Durham. Sara will likely be busy helping out with last minute preparations for the wedding, while I explore the city pubs with the groom to be.
July 18--Wedding in Durham Castle
Here we will enjoy a traditional English wedding inside the University of Durham Castle (the castle in the Harry Potter movies).
July 19--Travel back to London
The final night in England will be back in London where we will be free to explore any last minute recommendations we receive while at the wedding.
July 20--Fly from London Heathrow to Chicago O'Hare, arrival time 6:04PM
Monday, July 7, 2008
What a weekend!!
Here's a quick recap of the weekend. It involved quite a bit of driving, but was well worth it. Thursday we took off for Chicago and were able to enjoy the new basement bar at John & Emily's. Friday we hung out around the house and later took in a White Sox game in style sitting in a box suite. The pic below gives you an idea of where we were sitting.
Saturday we got up early and started the trek back to Iowa for the Clapham wedding. Everything about the wedding and reception were very well done and we had a great time.
Yesterday afternoon we met up with Mom and Larry for some lunch before continuing the rest of our journey back to Bloomington. Needless to say we were both exhausted and enjoyed relaxing the rest of the night.
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