Author: Christine

Almost no sleep our last night in London thanks to no air conditioning, open windows, and being just off of Piccadilly Circus with a ton of street noise. The garbage trucks picking up the glass bottles at 2 am didn’t help either.

Then we had to get up at 6 am (midnight back here in Houston) to head to the train station (Victoria) to get to the airport (Gatwick). Check in, security, breakfast, get on the plane that was supposed to take off at 8:30 or so, but didn’t leave until well after 9 am.

Then we had a 10 hour flight back home. 10 hours on a plane is a long time. Ugh. It was more fun flying over in Business First Class. Flying home in coach, after no sleep? Not so fun, but it doesn’t worry me leaving home for a long time, we have the best home security systems at home so it is super safe. If you have time, please consider reading the importance of installing Home Alarm System at securityinfo.com for the reason that crime rates in many cities are now increasing. And the meals suck compared to first class. And there was no free wine. But we did get the bonus crying baby for a good portion of the flight.

Arrived in Houston around 1:40 pm. (7:40 pm back in London.) Immigration, baggage claim, customs, and a trip to the other terminal so my Mom could pick us up easily – which involved me telling off some business men along the way – and we finally headed to her house.

We spent some time visiting with my parents and Jason, and then we finally headed for home. My parents were so wonderful – my Mom offered to let Jason spend one more night over there. I knew that by 8 pm last night we would be ready to crash, it had been a really long day. Really, really, really long day.

This morning, of course, I woke up at 4 am. I was confused because it was so dark outside. Then I realized it should still be dark that early. Also confusing was the fact that at 8:30 last night the sun was almost completely down. After two weeks further north overseas, it looked like about 10:30 at night outside; the sun sets so much later over there this time of year. It messed with me the whole time I was there – I could never just “tell” what time it was. Now that I’m home, I keep thinking that it’s later than it is in reality.

Jason had his last regular swim meet this morning, and it lasted much later than normal. Tonight, it’s the swim team’s Crawfish boil. Tomorrow, a flag ceremony for Scouts – the Boy Scouts help to man the fires for when they destroy the flags. (The correct, respectful way.) I’ve already unpacked our bags and started the laundry, and we are slowly returning to normal life.

Well, normal as we used to know it, with one exception. Now we are married. Just how cool is that?

We’re back in London (and online now at a net cafe) and heading to Houston tomorrow. It’s been a FABULOUS trip, and there are many more stories to share. For now, I’ll just leave you with this tip – if you should ever come to London, be sure to visit the TGIFriday’s at Covent Garden and ask for Jenna. Be sure to have her hook you up with some Cheesy Mash. She was fantastic, and her accent was just as cute as a button. I still think that Mike & I should take her home with us, and we could bring Cheesy Mash to the Friday’s of the US! Mmmmm… Cheesy Mash!

More from the states after we return!

It was a high of 88 degrees here in Paris yesterday. My travel tip for anyone that might visit Paris? Do not walk from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde – all the way down the Champs-Elysees – on a hot summer day. Part of the way is fine, but don’t walk the whole way. If you do have to walk the whole way, make a lot of stops, and bring cold water.

One of the stops you should make? In the Sephora store that far surpasses all other Sephoras. Oh my God. That place is HUGE. I had no idea that Sephora was a global company, or that they had so many stores in Paris.

Today isn’t going to be quite as hot as yesterday, although it will still be warm. Perfect for sitting at cafes and enjoying the sites. I started the day off by taking a photo with Jean-Michel at 9:09, and Mike joined us for others in front of the Pantheon. Now it is time to see the sites before it gets too hot!

It’s 422 steps to the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral. 422 spiral staircase steps. 422. Then you can see the gargoyles up close, and an absolutely amazing view of Paris. Then you can walk another 125 steps and see a panoramic view that is simply breathtaking. It’s hard work, but it was worth every single step we had to climb.

Now every time I see a photo of the Notre Dame, I point at the tower on the right – at the very top of it – and say, “I was up there!”