you know you're in Europe when...

...it takes all of this just to recharge your MacBook!
It has officially sunk in. I'm in Europe.

Not too excited about being in London (my first stop) but definitely excited about a a few things while I'm here:


1. My Euro trip has begun: There's no turning back. Well, I can, but that would be hella embarrassing, wouldn't it? I'm thrilled, optimistic yet absolutely scared for my life.

2. Gerd is in London this week: I've known this beautiful man for YEARS and I'm finally going to meet him in person tonight! This makes me sound like a mail order bride, but I can't help but be giddy about our little rendezvous. He will be hosting me and my travel buddy, BB, when we go to Berlin.

3. My very first hostel experience: We've checked into Generator Hostel. This is my first official hostel experience and I'd have to say so far, so good. It looks like a total party place. Noisy dining hall, cheap fried dinner, soda machines, scary showers stalls, lots of half naked straight people walking around--boys AND girls. Everyone seems to be chill and really friendly. You have to pay for everything here--even your towel. Drinks are cheap at the bar considering you're paying in pounds. We're sharing a room with Justin, an Australian backpacker and Japanese software engineer whose name I can neither pronounce nor spell. Both very sweet.

Justin is on his way out tomorrow. While packing, he offered me his spam and bug spray. Aww. The gift of spam. Speaks volumes of this budding love between us. Gave him my number for when he visits NYC. Hope he brings more spam and less deet.



Things are off to a so-so start. I have some form of jet lag, which is weird since I hardly sleep. I'm, however, thankful that it's happening while I'm in London since I'm not compelled to do a lot of sight-seeing here.

Europe, here I come!

Aaaaaand we're ready to roll. I'm writing this entry while on a flight to London.

It's pretty amusing how I've begun to embrace this whole backpacking concept. I mean, I've boarded my flight reeking of pit sweat. I'd spent earlier today running around, cleaning the apartment, buying last-minute supplies for my trip and just sweating in general.

I had this big, retarded smile on my face as I put my cheesy Rick Steve's backpack on the overhead compartment and as I sat down and strapped on my seat belt.

"I used to ALWAYS dress nicely for any flight. Even puddle jumper ones!"

Lame, I know. That's why boarding this flight felt so liberating. I'm dressed like a hippie and I reek and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Tee hee!

Speaking of this flight, can I just say I HEART British Airways? I've picked two movies (getting ready to start the second one in a few) and they still have not stopped giving me booze. And yes, I'm flying economy class.

Would have been a treat to stink up the first class cabin, though. ;-)

Europe, here I come!

Oh, Sheena!

This is a tribute to rotary phones, landlines, long-distance love affairs and anticipated "Dear Johns" and well, curly bangs.

Technology and style may have evolved a lot since then, but gosh darn it, people are so damn predictable!


"Telephone" by Sheena Easton