Long day!

So today began over the Atlantic Ocean on my flight here. Flight was uneventful, made small talk with the girl sitting next to me, slept some, etc. Customs/immigration was no problem, picked up my bag/box, and headed to the first outside door and started assembling all the pieces. After a while of doing that, I went on a search for water and an internet cafe. After getting my net fix and filling up, I started asking for directions to get out of Heathrow and onto the hostel (in Kensington). Eventually I was directed to the M4 as my google map directions showed I should go. However, M stands for Motorway, the equivalent of a US interstate. Biking down 95 at home isn't so smart, and its the same here. The police pulled me over before I even got on M4, told me I was retarded, and then helped me get over to the A4, a road that has a convienent bike path and much slower traffic. At this point I decided to use the gas station across the street to top up my tyres, since I had deflated them slightly for the flight. Bad idea, the pump didn't work quite right and ended up deflating my tyres to a dangerous level. I went inside to see what I could do and all they had was a air compressor that runs off a cigarette adaptor in any car...so I was able to borrow some power from a guy at the gas station and fill up. On to A4! After an hour or so of smooth riding on the convienient bike path that is between the road and sidewalk, I felt something wierd. Stopping to check it out, I realized one of the tires on my trailer had popped. With no spare for the small tire, I had to take it off, find the hole, patch, and reinflate. My problem was in the fact that my 'pump' was an air compressor that needed a car to operate. So I did what I could to borrow power from cars taking the side street I had stopped next to, and eventually got it filled up enough to find the hole, patched it, and stopped someone else to refill the tire altogether. Back to the road again! The rest of the ride wasn't too bad, just slightly confusing directions, which was worsened by the fact that streets aren't labeled nearly as clearly here as in the US, and no one seems to know the roads too well anyway. Finally heard from frank on the radio, close to arriving at the hostel, and had a story to tell. Spent the rest of the night here at the hostel with Frank and some new friends, most of them from Canada. Today is supposed to be filled with frisbee and hackey sack, along with some touristy stuff. A little late start, so we will see what happens.

Getting Ready

I have seen Frank for the last time in the US for 3 months. He is off to say bye to a few last family members and then off to the airport for his flight tonite. We spent a few hours today getting things packed, figuring out who's carrying what, and buying some last minute items. All day he has been in a nervous did-I-forget-anything mood, which I am starting to feel now. I am almost ready to go, just a few errands for tomorrow to finish up, and then I am off to London!

A few thank yous go out to everyone frank mentioned in his post, as well to everyone who came by last night to say bye. Thanks again to Alex and Matt, we owe you guys a night out drinking when we get back. Thanks to Ann, for everything. :) Thanks to my parents, for the party and everything else. Granny and Poppy - thanks for your graduation gift!

I'm sure I have missed other thank yous - you know who you are. More to come later

Tickets!

So this probably should have happened long, long ago...but it is done now! Frank and I purchased our tickets this morning and will be flying out on consecutive days (cheapest flights for each of us), Frank will be leaving the 28th late at night, and I will follow on the 29th. Frank will be returning home 2 weeks prior to me, on the 22nd of August to prepare for school, but I plan on spending the last 2 weeks visiting friends or seeing another city we didn't make it to as a pair.

Still much to do in preparations for the trip, but things will get done faster now that most of finals and school is done. Today's plans include beginning to move things home for summer, make a trip to the bike shop, and make some more plans for the trip.

It's really happening. :)

Show Done

I have finished running my last dance show at UMBC. The wonderful dancers gave me the Frommer's guide to Europe, which will come in very handy this summer! Thanks girls!

There is still much to do before we leave. Too much school, not enough time for everything. Summer is getting closer and I can't wait to get biking!

Time to do some reading...

Happy Birthday Jeff!

The start of the week

So the last full week of class has started. There is much to do to prepare for Europe, but much to do to finish up school first. It's been a long day and not over yet. Another 2 hours of tech rehearsal then back to the engineering lab to some more work.

First Post!

So, 3 weeks left of school, and then off to Europe for the summer. A lot to do between now and then, so check for updates frequently! Also, check out my good friend and travel buddy Frank's Blog, http://crazybiketour.blogspot.com/.