I'm BACK!

Well, I'm officially back in England. I have to admit, after a wonderful month at home, it was hard to get on that plane. I had a great time visiting friends and family, going to/being in weddings, eating at my favorite restaurants, and just enjoying the great U.S.A.! But I'm back in England until June 7, and it's nice to be back. On Monday afternoon, I flew to Atlanta, then caught a connecting flight to Paris. I think Paris is an absolutely beautiful city, but the people are my least favorite of any place I've ever visited. The rumors about French people being rude AREN'T just rumors. Of course, there ARE lots of nice people, but the rude people make you forget about the nice ones. After a looooong flight, we landed at Charles DeGaulle International Airport in Paris. I've heard stories about how confusing that airport is, and after visiting Paris twice (by train), I had no doubt that the stories were probably accurate. The airport is just outside of the city, and it's HUGE! But also extremely confusing. There are 5 main terminals...A, B, F, E, C...in that order. Obviously the French do not order things alphabetically. It took me about an hour and a half to get from Terminal C to Terminal F, get my boarding pass, and go through security. The security agent who checked my bag said "Gracias" to me after she finished...maybe I look Spanish? Airport security is so strict that it's almost annoying - not just in Paris, but also in the U.S. and England. I finally caught my flight to Birmingham, and arrived about 1 p.m. I made my way to the train station with two suitcases (although one only had a coat in it, since I left a lot of stuff at home), my laptop backpack, and a carry on bag. A couple of guys actually helped me along the way, which is rare in England...most people just walk on by when they see girls carrying heavy suitcases. I think the idea of the English gentleman is definitely extinct in England. I took the train to Leamington Spa, where I would catch another train to Stratford. At the train station in Leamington Spa, they told me that they next train to Stratford-upon-Avon would be in TWO hours, so they recommended that I take the bus. However, their ATM was broken, so I couldn't get cash for bus fare. The guy behind the counter suggested that I lug my 2 suitcases and 2 bags two blocks down the road to the nearest ATM (or cash point, as they're called in England). I had no choice but to trudge through Leamington Spa with my luggage. Luckily I've visited that town quite a few times, so I knew where the bus stop was and what time the buses came. I hopped on the bus and spent my forty minute bus ride enjoying the scenery. Spring has definitely arrived in England! The landscape is just unbelievable! The trees and flowers are blooming, the grass is even greener, and the sun set at 8:45 p.m. tonight! The flowers are just gorgeous...I'm going to have to take some pictures and post them soon! The weather was pretty nice...probably in the mid-60s and sunny. When I got back, I dropped off my luggage and went to the grocery store to get some food. Then, I went to get pizza with Cat, Hannah, Powder, and Andy. I just love the pizza at A Hole in the Wall! We sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine. Now, I'm trying to stay awake until a decent hour so that I won't have jet lag! Before I left for the U.S., I hid my now contraband heater on the top shelf of my closet so that Jeremy and Junko wouldn't find it. Well, guess what...when I came back, it was missing! So I went downstairs and told Jeremy that my heater was missing. I fibbed a little and said that I don't use it anymore (well, I haven't used it in a month!), but I want it because I paid for it. I think he also felt guilty because I busted him for taking MY heater out of the room that I pay for. They did have to do some work on the floor in mine and Marfo's room, so they moved some stuff into my closet, where I guess they saw the heater. But still! I only use it at night or in the morning, and always put it up when I leave the room. It felt nice today, but once the sun went down, it got COLD! They just keep it TOO cold in the house for me not to have a heater...it's almost miserable! (Tooley, if you're reading this, I know you understand!) The big stink about me having a heater is that it supposedly violates some housing code, and qualifies as a fire hazard under the super-strict Socialist government. Christmas lights are also a fire hazard, and also contraband...very strange. But, hopefully the weather will warm up a little and I won't need the heater, which also doubles as a fan. Anyway, I had a nice, safe flight, and England is beautiful! But as much as I love England, there's no place like home. :)