Full Circle

Back in London! So here it is; the last and final city of my European vacation. How strangely fitting that the last city is actually the same as the first city. It's hard to believe that it was four months ago- a whole third of the year ago- that I first set foot in Europe. In some ways, it doesn't seem like a vacation at all- just a different way of life for a while. But four months later, after all the cities, all the trains and planes, all the homes and hostels- I go back to where it all began. And where people spoke English fluently again. This was so refreshing and a nice way to at least ease a bit back into a place where English was the first language spoken....

Here's my first day out, back in London. Saw this window sign- "4 Days to Go". I had 4 days go on my trip at this point, so I kind of felt like it was speaking to me- "....almost home, buddy".



One of my favourite places to pop my head in and browse on this trip became old book stores. This antiquarian bookstore had old novels and collections from floor to ceiling- and it smelled sooooo good in there. Old book smell- amen.



My last European picnic! Here I am with my host and a bunch of his friends just outside of a bunch of bars and apartments, just doing what people do best in Europe- grabbing some groceries and just chillin' on the grass.



I went to Statford-upon-Avon and saw Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company! I waited over 4 hours in line to get a cancellation ticket.....and it was so worth it....especially because....



Patrick Stewart played Claudius!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost fell out of my silver patio chair when I saw him sitting only feet away. Here he is sitting with the lighting designer going over a lighting plan for his house. I snuck several covert photos over my shoulder (like this one) because I figured he was busy and didn't want to be bothered with taking a photo with me. Later tho, on his way into the theatre, I stopped him real quick and just introduced myself, told him I was a big fan, and wished him a good show. He was very gracious and polite. It was pretty much super-crazy-awesome-amazing.



This is one of the gardens at one of the 5 houses that make up the historical homes of Shakespeare's neighborhood. Behind the trellises are benches to sit and read. So peaceful.



In front of Shakespeare's house. The upstairs room on the farthest left is the room in which he was born. Last jumping picture here (single tear).



The garden in the back of Shakespeare's home. Shakespeare mentioned a lot of different plants, flowers, and herbs in his plays- all of which were most likely planted in this very back yard.



The stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company- as seen from my nosebleed seat. After half of the first act, however, I did spy a seat further down, and just moved. What a world of difference when you can actually see the actors' faces, and not just the tops of their heads.



Back to Notting Hill! I went here to the Portobello Market on my first time here in April, and it was such a joy to return and see some familiar booths selling some of the same books and relics, and sample some of the same great food.



This guy here was stopping to give short little seminars in awesomeness.



Here's me on the underground on the way back home.... a very strange phenomenon in London here.



I passed by this nail salon everyday. I just had to do this every time.



Last night in London! A BBQ at my host's house, with just random friends and good food and drink.



Jean-Marc, my host, showing off his Tibetan garb. Me holding a bottle of weed killer.



One of my favourite pics here- here I am talking about something normal, and there's Big John, making the most horrified face, for who knows what reason. Hilarious.



Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Not the original tho- the first was torn down, and the second burned down- but it's bascially exactly how it looked and operated over 400 years ago.



Part of one of the displays in the Shakespeare gallery here. Sometimes you play Hamlet, and sometimes you're the guy who wears a glove on your head- hey, no big deal.



The splash zone- if you're stand here during a show, chances are you'll catch a little spit flying from an actor's mouth.



My wonderfully dramatic tour guide of the Globe Theatre. I could have listened to her describe paint dry.



I would love to perform in here someday!



There was this cute little folk dance performance right outside after my tour.



Fun, huh?



Any guy who wears a hat full of leaves a flowers is ok in my book. Kinda made me nostalgic for the kind of hat I used to wear when I worked on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.



Check out the language on this sign- "A police officer or authorised person can ask you to stop drinking in this area". Haha- how about just prohibiting it in the first place? But that's not Europe- you can walk around with an open bottle pretty much anywhere.



I thought it was pretty ironic that right after I took the picture of the sign, I turned around to see several guys just walking around with beer.



Shakespeare's Globe complex! This whole area is so great.



Right after seeing the Globe, I went back to my host's house, packed up, and left for the airport. Finally going home. I could not wait. It was almost unreal, to be actually packing up for the last time. It didn't really hit me that I was going home until I exchanged the last amount of my foreign currency at the airport and stepped onto the plane.

So that's the last city of my trip! Expect an epilogue- an "epi-blog" if you will- to follow in a few days.