Got to Bath

Just got to Bath. London was great! Will post more later when I get more internet access.

1st Night Out

Tonight I went to my first English pub.  There was a pretty important "football" (soccer) game going on, so the pub was crammed with dudes.  About a 20/1 ratio, no kidding.  Apparently English gulls aren't very keen on footly arts.  But a strange thing happened- guys actually talked to other guys like friends.  None of this LA looking around to see who's next to talk to or if a celebrity walked in.  Christian's friends really were interested in who I was and why I was on "holiday".  (I love all these English sayings).  The cask ale I had was almost room temperature- apparently the way it's intended here.  I gotta say, I missed cold beer.  Not to worry- Ireland is 2 weeks away.  Here's a picture with no people:

The soccer game was a draw, and to celebrate, we all sat out in 40 degree weather and drank white wine outside of a perfectly warm and newly emptied pub.  Don't ask me.  I'm just traveling through.   Here's me and new friends:

Arrival

'Ello Guvna!  I'm presently in England.  I recently touched down upon the glassiest of runways - it rains here!  Upon arrival, my mate Christian picked me up at Heathrow and gave me a lift in his auto along the motorway back to his flat.  Actually, it's quite an estate to be honest.  Rolling hills, tennis courts, and high tea.  Were all wearing ascots now whilst discussing the latest fashions of high society.

Ok, ok, done.  It actually took a lot more brain power than I thought to put that together.  It's 5:18pm here, but it feels like 9:18am (the next day) in my body.  I've been up for 24hrs at this point.  It's pretty overcast here, not an unusual occurance according to Christian.  This house I'm in is truly an English beauty.  Three stories, loads of white wooden chairs and canvas paintings.  There's a tennis court and a soccer pitch.  Randy! Here's his dog, Arthur.

Here's me "helping" with dinner.  Christian and two siblings, Alex and Dan.

Big thanks to Hans for getting me up and out of the country.  I had Innout Burger 3 times in the last 24hrs before leaving.  I miss it already....  Also Jemell- sorry I had to cut our talk short.  I was getting into the airport.  Hope you feel better soon.

Flight was good- good food and thankfully no one sitting in the middle seat.  The girl siting next to me was also a graduate of Cal State Fullerton.  Although she was getting to go to London on her companies dime.  Guess that's the difference between a theatre degree and a business degree. :)

I encountered my first surly English official.  The woman checking me in at customs needed an address of where I was going in England.

Her: Where are you staying.

Me:  I dunno.  A friend of mine who lives in the country.

Her:  (Blank stare)

Me:  It apparently looks like the countryside in Pride and Prejudice.  (weak smile)

Her:  (Rolls eyes and sighs loudly)  How long are you gonna be here?

Me:  England 4 days.  Then around Europe for four months.

Her:  (Raises eyebrow) Four months?  You have an itinerary?

Me:  Sure.  Here you go.

Her: (Scanning pages)  All these countries?

Me:  Uh huh.

Her:  (Long pause)  Uh huh.

I don't think she was very keen on the whole backpacking-for-no-reason-other-than-fun-and-adventure thing.  I am happy to be here though.  Going out with Christian tonight to meet some of his mates at a pub or something.  Let the pubbing begin.

Brian

Packing

So I can check this off my "to do" list now. I've created my blog. Only several dozen more things to do now. And all in maybe 50+ hours. The mountain of tasks to complete before stepping on the plane seems overwhelming, but somehow I will get them done, because, well, I have to. Can't leave without my (yet to be made) travel book.

It was really good to see a lot of my friends in one place last night. That hasn't happened in a long time. Seems like it happened at least once a week back in the College Group days. And now, having graduated and moved on from the group, as many are, everyone seems to just be real spread out. Married, or getting. Jobs here and there, more school in different cities. We're all scattered, like dropping a bunch of glitter onto a piece of paper. I hate glitter, btw. Anyway, thanks to everyone who came by, it was really great to just see you and catch up. And if you couldn't make it, no worries, I'm sure I'll see ya sometime soon.

More to follow. I just needed to create this blog, not blog it. Just yet.