Picking up from where I left off…

Me and Amanda in the hostel room before going out

On the morning of the 31st Amanda, Ashley and I hopped on a train to London. We stayed a bit north-west of central London, not too far from Wembley Stadium. We were lucky to have found any place at all, for a few days we contemplated becoming couch surfers … seriously. I was nervous about the hostel because it had no customer reviews on any of the hostel websites. As we walked through the “authentic” Brisith neighborhood of Willsden I became more convinced that we had booked a room in someone’s house.

But my fears were allayed when we arrived to a nice, brand new hostel. Turns out there were no reviews because they had only been open for two weeks. Acting on a tip from a Londoner, we started into the downtown area a little after 5 with literally no plan. Amanda had never been to London before so Ashley and I just looked at the tube map and picked a place to get off… Leicester Square it was!

We grabbed dinner at a pub in the area then walked down to Trafalgar Square so we could at least see something Londonesque (since all we had shown Amanda so far was the tube and our slightly dodgy ‘hood).  There were TONS of people out in the streets: some in transit to claim spots to watch the fireworks, others in transit to clubs and parties, and some just wandering around with no idea what they were going to do… or maybe that was just us, not sure. It was a frigid night and all three of us were wearing dresses (Ashley and I had done a little Boxing Day shopping in Edinburgh and picked me out a New Years outfit). After scoping out a few of the bars and clubs in the area we eventually settled under some heat lamps on a bar’s outside patio.

me, Amanda, Ashley in Trafalgar Sq on New Years Eve

Shortly before midnight we walked back down to Trafalgar Square hoping to catch a glimpse of the fireworks. There were so many people there at times it felt like being in the middle of a mosh pit (HFStival, anyone?). We were able to see the fireworks, or at least the ones that reached above the buildings in between us and the Thames. They were neat, but I suppose it’s more exciting if you’re closer to the river and can see the whole show (or sober enough to appreciate it… either way). Just about at midnight it started snowing, too. It was only small, sparkling flakes but it was cool nonetheless. We capped off the evening with a ride in one of those bike cabs (seemed like a good idea at the time).

The next morning we were all feeling a little worse for the wear and had to pack up and be out of the hostel by 11 (wayyy too early to be expected to do anything on the first day of the year). To make matters worse, on our way to the tube/to find food Ashley’s suitcase broke. As in the handle literally came off in her hand. So we remedied the situation by typing a scarf to the remaining strap and she used that to pull it… was a sad sight to say the least. After the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time we went to the Angel neighborhood to meet up with my friend Amy, my cousin Ally’s best friend since childhood.

Amy and me on New Years Day in London

Amy was sweet enough to let us crash with her in London that night. The next day Ashley was flying back to Spain, I was headed to Rome, and Amanda was touring London. Luckily Amy was very tired on New Years Day, too, but her lethargy was due to a NYE flight from NY to London. After some walking around the neighborhood (unsuccessfully looking for a new suitcase for Ashley) we had dinner and settled into bed by 9pm…

On the morning of the 2nd Ashley was up and out early (4am I think?). I left a little later in the morning to get to Heathrow. Two unexpected things happened while I was at the airport that morning:

1. I saw Susan Boyle of X Factor fame. I wouldn’t have recognized it was her except that I happened to be walking up to two people taking a picture in front of security. I thought that was cute, must be family/friends saying goodbye and getting one last pic. Then the guy said “thanks so much” to the lady and they parted ways. Then I got a good look at her and put it together (except it did take me a few hours to pull her name).

2. I heard an announcement for a flight to Washington DC (not the unexpected part) and for a few seconds I wished that was my flight (that was). Then I told myself to suck it up because I was going to Rome! … Final part of the trip to be posted soon….