in reverse chronological order

As I was making my way back to Amherst today, I was writing this entry in my head. For some reason - maybe because I was coming back from England - it came out in English. I was going to post this on facebook, but, strangely enough, this feels more personal.

I was in England for 5 days. (photos here) It feels as though I was gone for much much longer though. I went to a foreign country on my own, not meeting up with anyone at the airport, not really meeting up with anyone until Duran came home on Friday actually, for the very first time. I've been saying how I should travel alone and see what that's like and this was my chance. First, I made my way from the airport in London to Bristol. While you're in an airport, it doesn't feel like you're in a different country, they are all pretty much the same and it's hard to get lost. On the way out of the airport, on the bus, everything seemed a little fascinating, worth looking at, worth wondering about. I was really tired though, so I slept for most of the way. I also discovered that my phone doesn't work at all outside of the US and it can't even keep up the time when it's turned off. Bristol is a small but nice city. There is a good bus system and bike paths. I went to the city centre, the area called Clifton where there is a university and also a famous suspension bridge which I did not get to see. I had a great time walking around, looking at stores, getting something to eat and figuring out where the bus stops were.

On Thursday, I had my interview. It definitely didn't go bad, but I can't figure out if there was anything that indicated that it went really well, either. I really like the people and I already knew that I like the company, so there's a good chance that it will work out in the end.

After the interview, I went to London and found Duran's apartment all by myself (!). He'd left his keys with the porter, so I found him and let myself in. Then I went out, bought a map of London and made my way to the British Museum. Which wasn't very hard because Duran lives a block away from it. Literally! He must have the most central apartment that I've ever seen in my life. After that, I went to the National Portrait Gallery. There were some amazing portraits there. I would have stayed longer but I was feeling tired and hungry so I went back to Duran's apartment. In the evening, we met up with some of his friends and went to play bowling. This is always so much fun to me.Before that, he gave me a very fast tour of the area where he lives. We walked around LSE buildings, Covent Gardens and a bunch of other places that I can't remember right now. That evening made me realize that I've become very American though. I was expecting to get dinner at around 7 the latest! We ended up sitting down to dinner around 9:30 and the whole affair must have lasted close to 2 hours. We ate at this really nice Moroccan restaurant where you can also get hookahs. Onur joined us there and we went back to Duran's apartment.

Saturday, we went to visit Mrs. Watson in her village, Sandridge. We had a great time. We caught up and of course reminisced about the old days. I was feeling kind of sick in the evening so we stayed at home and I tried my hand at guitar hero. I suck, of course, but I can see how it can be very addictive.

And now, I'm back in Amherst, exhausted and still a little sick. It feels good to be back though. Also, I can't wait to go back to London and do all the touristy things that I didn't get to do this time.