London Bridge is falling down! That's okay, we flew anyway :)

Heathrow Airport
London, Great Britain
Friday, 16, May 2008
8:54 AM(USA)/ 1:54 PM (GB)



...or else my palate has become more sophisticated/ expectant to the bitters.

More on this topic. I've decided that everything for the first time has a high probability of sucking (excuse my language). For example, I'll be honest, combined with it being Christmas and missing my family as well as being in FRIGID New York for the first time with not many snacks (haha) it wasn't AS magical as Home Alone makes it seem; however, that being said I did in fact love it and it allowed me to know what was in store for me THIS go round (flying out of NYC). I liked it so much better (keep in mind the weather was great and nostalgia wasn't calling my name with every Christmas bell I saw). I understood so much better and extreme pains before were merely common place bothers...except when Faran and I lugged our luggage down to the subway and rode through Harlem. Let me explain.

As you know, New York isn't know for effective travel by car. It's slow and constipated (something I'm having NO trouble with at the moment. Sorry if that grosses some of you out--Justin, lol). So as a remedy we decided to have Debbie, Faran's mama, to take us to the 72nd Street subway and take Train A all the way to the AirTran, a shuttle that takes you straight to your airport terminal, and unlike fluctuating traffic, subways and trains are on a strict schedule. The "extreme pain" here was that this particular subway had no ramp, nor elevator, so we had to lug our 80 LB luggage (one 50 LB + second checked bag + carry on) down an incline that didn't allow us to use the wheels on our big bags. In conclusion, our bags man handles US and almost threw us down the stairs. But again, this was the first time we had attempted the subway WITH luggage, and next time we know to pick one either with a ramp OR an elevator because the rest was a breeze. It worked perfect.

And just to give the New Yorkers some credit, Faran and I had at least 4-5 people help us get our luggage downstairs AND the cop let us get onto the subway for free :) I don't know if it had anything to do with Faran's exotic eyes (think Ashley with blue eyes) and curly head of hair or my straightened, straw colored version or what but we had help from both men AND women which proves to me, New York is loaded with visitors...haha just kidding! They were genuine locals, who despite their frosty reputations actually helped us. Like the Grinch, the Tin Man, or anyone else who has searched and found a heart, the NYC locals have as well.

Even people watching is getting easier and not so awkward. I feel so much more comfortable in public, exchanging glances, just glances with nearby folks that are brightly dressed (Europeans LOVE color).

One last thing, on the way here we each had a personal TV with head phones, an eye mask, a blanket, a pillow and a toothbrush with tooth paste. The airline served us an amazing supper (really it was excellent for an airline I thought), snack, and breakfast. The Cabin Crew was genuinely sweet and nicely accented.

Oh and to get into the mood for the mother-land, I watched Elizabeth, with Cate Blanchett, which follows the life of how the first Queen Elizabeth came to be :) It worked, very heavy and lots opera sound tracks. Loved it, you should all watch it on a rainy night or one in which just one more 27 Dresses just wont cut it. It has a HARSH beginning, but weather through it, it gets better :)

LOVE YOU ALL! Faran and I are now about to board our Czech flight!!!