Road Bumps

So far, so good. It's been a busy, fun, tiring, exhilirating, relaxing, tasty, frustrating few days. Started off with a delayed plane and a center seat. I was able to change to an aisle (!) and when I boarded the plane, no one was seated next to me on the window(!!). I had two seats, an aisle, and a window all to myself. Awesome. And a word of advice: if you are on a Virgin flight and they ask you your meal choice, don't waiver between chicken or pasta; instead, ask which includes the rich, chocolatey, fudgy brownie. Trust me, you will thank me later.

After a well-slept flight (thanks to Ambien and Lisa), I rushed off the plane. I got a bit of the 9th degree at customs (How are you paying for your trip? Umm...my salary?, Schools in the US are on summer holidays? What...yes. Why does customs always make me nervous?). Eventually, I made it through, got my luggage, and met Anna. Because of my delayed plane, we rushed to the bus station and stepped on the bus literally a minute before he closed the door and drove off! Phew!

Made it to Bath. Had a lovely meal at a lovely restaurant. Except I got fish. It was a very bony fish. Needless to say, eating it was a bit of a task. Next day, Anna and I went on a FREE 2 hour tour. Informative, fun, great overview of Bath. Ate at Jamie's Italian. Anyone who knows me knows who Jamie is. They had carbonara on the menu. Pff...I make that! Did eat the best antipasto plate ever-mozzarella, mortadella, salami, olives. And truffle pasta. I swear, Jamie can do no wrong. The early evening was spent soaking in the rooftop baths, and the underground baths, and sweating in the steam rooms. However, there were these 18 year olds making out the whole time. I saw the boys tongue twice. And I was trying hard to avoid seeing them. Gross. Ended the day with pints and crisps at The Pig and Fiddle, outdoor at picnic tables. If I lived in Bath, this would be my spot. Truly ended the day with chips with cheese from a "taco truck" style auto (except they don't serve tacos, mainly just burgers). Anna and I like to call out "-Insert current city of residence- Kogi" every time we see one.

Ran around Bath the next morning. Most of today was spent in the car. Anna drove, and she has been a quick learner. I clap every time we make it through a round about. However, our two hour trip took about five. Two of those extra hours were spent driving around Oxford. Oxford loves bikes. Oxford likes pedestrians. Oxford hates cars. HATES. Streets are not labeled. And even if they were, they change names after one or two blocks. If you are lucky, they continue beyond one block. Because streets in Oxford like to dead end or close to only pedestrians or bikes. I thought finding a hotel in the city centre was a good idea. It is now we're here. Not so much getting here. Oxford will punish you for having a car. Not only in the form of confusing streets, but financially as well. It cost 22 pounds to park our car somewhat near our hotel. Thank you Oxford. I must say, though, Anna is a star. She has the best attitude ever. I get stressed and try to stay calm, but usually fail miserably. Anna is a rock. A positive rock.

Our hotel is adorable, our room like a little cottage. We saw the "quarter boys" that ding the bell every fifteen minutes on a clock tower. We saw the place where Bloody Mary burned martyrs at the stake. We drank and ate at The Eagle and Child where C.S. Lewis and Tolkien used to hang. We walked and then negated any good that did by eating tasty, creamy homemade ice cream (I told Anna, only eat ice cream from places with a line...this line went out the door). And the sunset was beautiful.

Sorry this reads a bit like a list. I promise once I get to London my prose will be more polished. Or maybe as my trip goes on I'll be more concise. Loads of love to all.