I have to wear shades. Maybe that’s what the song is really about. The future is so bright, because the sun rises here first. So scientifically speaking, the future is pretty bright. but only for a period of less than 24 hours. because the sun also sets in the future before it does in the present.

Any how.

I am in Manchester, New Hampshire.
It’s 8:00am but for me… it’s really 5:00 AM.

But, I have to be up. Because this morning, I am going to see Tara. For the first time in over a year. So I am both excited and nervous. And I desperately want to go back to bed.

I didn’t make it today.

The next flight is oversold by 30.

The one after that I might make. At 1:00, but that begins to approach the impossible. Especially if the previous oversold transfers to this one.

The one after that is OB by 10.

Next one I might make is at 11:00 pm.

The problem being that with each overbooked, the remaining get moved to the next flight together. So the number waiting just goes up.

I think I’m going to try the flight at 11:00 tonight.

With the fuel crisis, there aren’t as many flights out to Manchester. And they are all really expensive. Now, if I could afford it, it wouldn’t be an issue. But because I fly stand by, the chances of me getting on one of these few and severely overbooked flights drops to below zero.

I have already been shifted once. Flight to DC overbooked by two. This one that I’m now waiting for, well… According to the online records, it’s overbooked by 12. So I don’t think so.

I’ve already pricelined my hotel and car. So that is money I won’t be getting back.

If I don’t get out this morning and get to new Hampshire by 7:00 I lose my car. If I don’t get out of Seattle by 2:00 then my trip is cancelled.

This blows. This flight is overbooked by at least one. They just started asking for seat sacrifices.

I don’t think I’m going to make it.

I decided to take in some of the sites. Luckily, the bus station was right next to most of them.

I started off with Buckingham Palace. unfortunately, the Queen was not available for tea. As I wandered around the palace grounds, this gentleman came to me for directions. I told him I was not sure where Big Ben was. In astonishment, he looked at me and exclaimed “You’re not an Englishman!”

I never did learn his name. And he sure did talk fast. But he insisted that I walk with him. He’s an Aussie. He was an antique coin dealer. He was impressed with how young I looked. Said I was the most interesting man he had met in London. He was by far the most interesting person I met. I tried to get a picture of him. but he wouldn’t allow it. Was afraid his wife my catch him doing something wrong. And with that he gave me a quick shove and said “Now off with you lad. And remember me. Remember me as the man who won 8000 pounds in the casino. And with that, he disappeared into a taxi. And I was left laughing in the jubilee grounds.

That was two days ago now. I blew out my power transformer. So I am sitting in an internet cafe trying to use this bizarre keyboard. I will finish with saying that all is not bad. Met some new mates. Stayed at a hostel last night. They are full tonight so I am looking for a new one. Journey not ruined. I have had help.

Thank you Kristin and Nick.

I slept most of the day away. I think that’s alright though. I’m starting to hate London anyways.

Well, not London. But everything that is happening sucks. I charged the camera, took some pictures, but I forgot to pack the cable/adapter to transfer them to my computer.

The hostel was booked, so I had to find a hotel. It’s not bad. It’s a comfort inn. And it’s cheaper than any of the other hotels I was looking at before i left. But it’s twice as much as the hostel.

I’m a little awake now. but it’s 9:30 PM so there isn’t a lot to do.

I hurt my leg today. I don’t know how. If it is still hurting tomorrow, then I am going to have to call the whole thing off.

It’s by bus. And it’s tomorrow night. And I have no where to stay tonight. I am going to see if there is a room available tonight at the hostel.

i don’t know why I even thought I could do this.

I overslept. Missed breakfast. had to throw all my things in my bag. I have no idea what time it is. I’m sweating. i almost threw up I am so nervous. I have no idea how to get to paris. Everywhere I look says it cost like $9 million or something. The hostel is going to kick me out soon cause I don’t have a reservation for tonight. I seriously don’t know what I am going to do.

I can’t get any website to work that might tell me how to get to paris. This was a stupid idea.

I want to go home.

I fell asleep before ice cream.
me
The flight over was mostly uneventful. There was meal service. And it was tasty. However… I fell asleep before dessert. Oh well. When I landed I was in London. I had made it. The was the first step in what is sure to be a grand adventure. The excitement is exhausting me. Maybe that’s jet lag.
London is… well… here’s my opinion. London is filthy. Heathrow airpoirt is probably the worst laid out, dirtiest, most poorly maintained airport ever. You could scrape the dirt off the walls with a paper cup. But just outside the terminal was a little shopping area where I grabbed a coffee and smoked what is to be my final cigarette.
The mall had more the feeling of a hotel check-in / casino. But the coffee was ok.

I spent 30 minutes looking for a way to get to the train that would take me to Central London. It should have been easy right? I mean… I’m in a airport / train station. You would think that everything would be marked. And it is… well… except for the trains of course. But when it got there… well hot shit! Welcome to the future.

The train was totally silent and enormous. It looked brand new and the seats were so comfortable. I am glad I took the local as opposed to the express. More time to enjoy the comfort of the seats. But upon arrival at Paddington station… well… filthy again. So much dirt. I got lost trying to get to the youth hostel. Took two wrong trains. And yet… here I am still. The redundant system of the London Underground is magnificent. No matter how fucking filthy it is.

Check in – I’m asked by a German for my papers. I giggled. I wanted to punch him and say “No Ticket” but he was a nice guy and I don’t punch people. His name was Yann. He kept apologizing as he thought he was delaying me. But I didn’t mind. I talked about my plans and he seemed to get really excited at times. He loves Paris. I will try and get a picture of him tomorrow when I leave. There’s a really cool girl I met in line to check in. It was a long line. There’s a couple of classrooms, a soccer team and many more groups staying here and they were all in front of us. We started talking about our trips but then moved into politics. She looked a little shocked at times. Apparently the rest of the world has no idea what is going on in America.

I went to go get my camera to head back out into the dirty London air. But it was dead and I had no UK adapter. but the store across the way did. I purchased 2 pounds (approx $4) of post cards, the adapter and trail mix. Plugged in the adapter and camera. It started charging. Thank god. I was afraid I was going to blow it up.

it was at this time that jet lag caught up to my sorry ass. I was out. Several hours later I was awoken when one of the hostel staff asked me to take my shoes off the bed. I came down to write this. and now back to sleep. No pictures today. Plenty tomorrow.

wait… whoa… 6 extremely good looking german girls just took the table behind me. Well.. ok. Better to bed before I do something stupid like drool on myself.

I’m just too excited. I’m going down my final list. Unpacking and re-packing my bag to make sure I have everything.
See… I leave in 3 hours.

I got my ticket reservation. a few hours ago.

So this is it. I’m really sorry if I didn’t get a chance to see you. I was very busy.
I first am flying down to San Francisco. Layover for lunch. Then I am flying to Heathrow Airport in London. Spend the night there. Next day I take the train to Paris, San Sebastian, and then Roncivalles. If you want to follow my progress,

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So here I go.

That is as long as I am postponing the trip. In two days I am going to drive to San Fran.

And then the 4th I leave for Paris.