Leaving London...

August 7, 2007

London, England-Phoenix, Arizona

I woke up at 7 AM and went running with Lindsay. walked by Buckingham Palace and thru Green Park one last time, and then started jogging at Hyde Park. We really took it all in today, knowing that every glance we took at the landmarks and trees that had come all too familiar would be our last for far too long. We made a full loop around the Serpentine and through the gardens, and then walked briskly back to our destination. We made it back to the Victoria area 1t about 8:45, and I stopped at Boot’s to pick up some more of these special throat drops that my mom and sister wanted me to bring back.

When I got back to the Wigwam, it was nearly nine AM. I showered, and then had less than a half hour until we were supposed to meet to leave for the airport. I basically just threw everything into my suitcases, and finished just a few minutes late. I caught up with the others at the tube station, and after switching lines at South Kensington, we took the Underground nearly forty minutes to Heathrow (I have never stayed on one subway train for so long). We got off at Heathrow, and I discovered that British Airways only allows one carry on item per passenger on flights out of the UK, even though passengers entering can bring both a carry on bag and a personal item onto the aircraft. I was a bit miffed by this, but decided it would be worth it to pay for a third carry on bag…until the guy gave me my receipt for 120 pounds!! There was no way in heck that I was going to pay two hundred and forty dollars to check my garment bag. But I did need to get my bag back. As I was about to sign the receipt, an idea struck in my head—Leah’s purse would fit inside my garment bag, and then it could serve as her carry on. Luckily, she was willing to comply, and I felt really indebted to her and the others for helping me out. Hopefully I will not get a call from British Airways or anything telling me that I checked three bags and never paid for an extra one, because aside from this ridiculously expense my experience with the airline has been amazing.

We ate at Garfunkel’s, a tasty chain where we ate on our first full day in London, so that was fitting; starting and ending our study abroad experience at the same restaurant.

After this, I spent the rest of my money (pounds and Euros both) on candy to bring back to the family. I went to Starbucks (to really have my last Mango Passion Fruit Frappucino), and then we waited outside the gate until it is boarding time.

This brings me to right now, as I am sitting in an exit row on the airplane, with several feet of leg room in front of me, half-watching my personal television and half-updating my blog journal. What an incredible trip!!!!!!!!