Keeping Resolutions at the Queen's Palace

Remember where I was talking about New Year's resolutions a couple posts ago? My only resolution this year was to travel internationally, and I did it February 1st!!! =) When I got my transfer to LAX, I was given 4 moving days, which happened to back up to 2 of my scheduled days off for February. 6 days off in a row....enough time to go overseas! I had a week to decide where I was going to go. I checked the loads to Australia (you know I had to....). Oversold. Loads to London....wide open both ways! I got in touch with Richard, a friend of mine from high school who is in that area and asked if he'd be around. He said yes, and asked if I needed a place to stay. I love the perks of having gone to an international school. Friends all over the country and the world! =) So the day after Mom and I made the drive from Tucson to Orange County, I went to LAX and got on a flight to London Heathrow. Five seats across to myself in Economy Plus....I was too cheap to pay the taxes in Business or First Class....they took great care of me anyway, of course!
We were an hour early getting into London, so I had to wait a little while for Richard to come....I wandered around Heathrow and met Sam, a guy who had been on my flight from LA. Black, British, and a doctor, working in New Zealand and just back in London to visit for two weeks. It was just funny, cos all my girls told me they were sure I'd meet a black guy in England....didn't expect to meet one that soon! ;-) Richard picked me up, and we fought traffic from people going to a big rugby match, but finally made it to the train, which took us to the football game Richard and his family (brothers, Peter and Phil, Peter's wife Gilly, their uncle, cousin, uncle's friend, and Richard's girlfriend Bekah) had planned to go to. Definitely a cultural experience! And if you don't know, football in that part of the world = soccer for Americans. It was Wimbledon vs. Torquay....fun....cold!! Kinda cool though, because you just stand the entire time - all of one team's supporters stand on one side, and the other team's supporters are on the opposite side. Lots of chanting and getting riled up!
I stayed up as late as I could, but the jet lag was getting to me....Slept GREAT that night! Sunday the guys got up and went to church. I skipped out and slept until after lunch. We spent a lazy afternoon at home, then Richard and I caught a movie (Cloverfield) that night.

On Monday Richard and I took the train into London (they live in Guildford, just outside of the city). He had to go in to work, so I met up with the lovely Kirstin, who lived with us for a few months in PNG in 2004. Awesome to catch up with her again! And she was a fabulous tour guide!

Getting a phone call from a hot black man in a "red telephone box"

Kirstin & Buckingham Palace

Big Ben
taking a ride in a double decker bus

Early that evening, we met up with Richard again. Kirstin had to get home....=/ so we said goodbye to her then went and grabbed a cup of tea while we waited to be able to meet up with Greg, a friend of ours from high school. He is Australian, but recently moved to London to find work. We went to a Spanish restaurant, had delicious food, drank sangria, and caught up on the last 8-10 years!

Tuesday Richard and I went for a look around Guildford. We walked along the street lined with shops and street vendors, and went to see the castle in town. What I love about that part of the world is that there is so much history there! I can't imagine the lifestyle people had hundreds of years ago....but some of the things I saw provided me with a slight glimpse. Fascinating.

On Wednesday morning I flew back to LAX. Fortunately there were no problems getting on the flight, and I got five seats to myself again, giving me the chance to rest! I was on call at 5am Thursday morning....but did not get called until Saturday morning a week and a half later. =) I guess it's a slow month for flying! At least I can enjoy being at home. Who knows where I will go next? I'm always up for another adventure!!! Wanna join me?