fish and chips

Photos:
Who where? You'll see the Owl in some of the photos. He's my trip mascot. Anyone got a name for him? Stonehenge, The London Eye, lucky ladybug that I tried to save from the capsule and Big Ben background, the family I'm staying with, the town of Bath, the ancient Roman Baths, some fun English folks I hung out with at Ye Ole Chesire Cheese Pub, and Ginger, Alex and Alex's parents. Im posting all of my photos on my flickr if you want to see more... unedited watch out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisa22/sets/

Overall thoughts on London:
The weather sucks, its the most expensive place I've ever been. The sights are grand, the coaches are tall, the beer is outstanding, the Tube is efficient, the free papers are horrifying, the people are kind, and there are a lot of roses to smell.

Cheers!
I'm spending my last afternoon in London doing a few chores. I don't mind as I feel as if I've spent all of my savings in this city. When people told me London was expensive and I believed them, but it's really amazing. Since the dollar sucks right now, you get about 50 cents to the £. So when you look at prices of things, just double it. And, I truly think that London is very focused on tourism and prices are fixed accordingly.
Whatever though, its only money and the experience has been amazing. I've been hanging with my new friends Mike, Nicki and their children Caleb and Leah. Its been a blast getting to know them and this city. Its so easy to get around here via the tube.
The last few days I've spent seeing the sights and drinking delicious beers. I also took a day trip to Bath and Stonehenge which is incredible.
It cost £45 for the bus/tickets to get into the Roman baths in the town of Bath. Not bad. I enjoy getting out of London and into the rolling green hills which remind me of New England. I suppose that's what the settlers thought when they arrived and named the North East coast of the United States.
So, we arrive in Bath and check out the Roman bath, temple and all that good juicy ancient historical stuff. Really awesome to learn how they filtered the pools, gilded statue heads of Minerva and generally put the whole thing together. It really makes you feel time in a way. Amazing Romans. Then the Victorians came along and did their thing which was not nearly impressive, but you can see the distinctions and it deepens that understanding of time. I will try to put a few pictures up.
So, the bus driver told us what time to meet up after our own time to check out the town. I wandered around and convinced myself I missed the bus. Maybe I missed the short bus. I spent some quality time on the green just enjoying the sunshine and other people enjoying the sunshine.
After Bath our bus headed off to Stonehenge and the most impressive thing, besides the architecture, was the actual bus driving itself. I really don't know how they get the buses in there. I don't know how the bus fits on the road or how it doesn't run into ancient buildings.
We arrive at Stonehenge which is so close to the road you can enjoy it and not spend the entrance fee. The audio guide was interesting, and its amazing to see what people can think up and set up with brains and brute force. I dug it. I really like the Barrows where there are big heaps of earth covering ancient 5000 year old graves.

Yesterday I checked out the London Eye, which was a really fun ride to the top of this ginormous Ferris wheel. I chatted with some Americans that gave me the whole who are you and why are you talking to me look. Its funny how people really don't understand that it is okay to travel a bit by yourself and you re not some crazy person.
And on that note, I bought myself a cheap wedding band yesterday. I'm marrying myself. Ha, no just kidding, I am going to wear it to fend off the men. It would have helped to wear it in London, but I think it will be most helpful for Africa and Thailand. I 'should' be married by this age and many people don't understand why a girl my age is traveling alone.
That being said I've enjoyed this week to myself, very glad I'm not married, and I'm so stoked to be heading out to Africa tonight. My friend Jenny is meeting me at the airport tomorrow. Folks - I'll try to call if and when I can, no worries.

I had the fish and chips. Good, but I'm not really into fried food. I think its funny they serve it with peas. I'm off to enjoy some more English beer.