Next up was Paris. Sigh. I loved Paris. It was everything you've ever hope Paris would be (minus the boys on mopeds. for the better this time around I think): The Eiffel Tower twinkling in the foggy February dust, the river winding between lit up cathedrals, centuries-old buildings, and museums (saw the Mona Lisa-not that great, but I still saw it alright?) in the city of lights. Paris also had incredible food. I had steak, salmon tartar, macaroons, crepes, a fromage and broiled tomato sandwich, and endless croissants...not to mention the three-course tasting we got to do at le Cordon Bleu, prepared by some French chef. It was pretty great, though amazingly tiring, I was ready to call it a life by the last day there.

After the longest, most awful day of the trip ( woke up at 5, metro to the airport where our flight was delayed for 2 hours as the little angry French air traffic controllers continued their angry little strike, then a bumpy flight to a rainy, confusing airport, a bus, and another metro, we finally got to London at around 9 and I got to see and stay with my lovely friend Jenny and her family. Her mummy made us a roast dinner, trifle, merengues...we got to watch English TV, what a treat! The best day was when we went to Brighton, a coast town where we had the best (and first for me) fish and chips and homemade doughnuts. It was yumay. The next day we did all the touristy things, saw Houses of Parliament, Hyde Park high tea, did some market shopping, all very British all the while.

But manoman, that trip was and Experience, capital "E", crazy and confusing and wonderful, stressful often, almost relaxing, but full of everything I've ever wanted to see in Europe since I was small.

It's good to be back though, real good. I even slept in a real bed last night.