UK Adventure! Off to an almost good start...

(written sort of in real time...?)

Day 1 Saturday, April 16th 2011 12:05pm

“You mean England and the US aren't the same thing?”

This coming from an 11-year-old mademoiselle on my way to Paris, who also just finished singing me “Proud Mary” in English. She has an iPhone in one hand and a nose piercing, and looks astonished to learn that these two places are in fact two places.

I then embark upon perhaps the first geography lesson of my life, explaining how there are 50 states, and THAT'S why I can't know all the film makers in Hollywood and see the Statue of Liberty at the same time because it's kinda big over there.

She's quickly bored and goes back to texting a friend, and I'm left staring out the windows feeling 100 years old and completely disconnected from her generation.

In 30 minutes I'll be in Paris, and if I survive the metro, I will leave for London to arrive at 8:30pm for 3 days of royal fun. Then I'm off to Scotland for 8 days of rugged, green adventures.

3 months of travel, coming right up!

Bisous,

Katie

–

2pm same day

I survived the metro!

Granted, I called a friend to verify my first move so the rest weren't compromised, but it could not have gone more smoothly. I dare say I'm getting used to the Paris metro.

On the other hand, I might as well have gotten lost seeing as I've been sitting on this curb here for almost three hours... The bus to London is late, and I made friends with two American girls (studying in Scotland) who are doing virtually nothing but complaining. This is what the last two hours sounds like.

Girl 1 - “Okay, seriously, it's like, 2:05, the bus should've been here 5 minutes ago...”

Girl 2 - “I know right? Like, what's going on? This is ridiculous.”

5 minutes later...

Girl 1 – (huffing and puffing) “Like, what the hell?! What is this? Where is this stupid bus?

Girl 2 - “I hate this, this is so stupid, why can't they just be on time?”
15 minutes later...

Girl 1 - “I swear to God I'm going to flip out, I'm seriously about to go nuts.”

Girl 2 – “I can't wait til we get to London and we can complain to someone.”

Two hours later and they literally have not stopped complaining.
Note to self: Sit far, far away from them on bus...

Talk to you soon!

Katie