The Best Surprise Ever

Marrakesh left a few lingering memories of massive shopping days, great bartering sessions, the occational creepy shop keeper, a super agressive cab driver (he tried to grab our bags away and shove them in the trunk of the cab when we refused to pay him too much), and an outrageously pink cafe. Not necessarily in that order.

However the time came and a few of us bundled ourselves (and assorted paraphenalia) to the airport and headed off to our respective destinations. I flew to Luton. Still not exactly sure where that is... somewhere way the heck outside London I think.

But it was here that I got the best surprise ever. EVER! For when I wrestled myself free from customs and had claimed my pack from the baggage claim like a triumphant althlete, marched out the (only) gate and stepped into the vacant waiting room I was feeling pretty beat. But optimistic because I was being met by my friend Alison who's currently schooling in London. Only Alison wasn't there. In fact, as far as I could tell, no one except for a few old ladies was in the waiting room at all! That was until this one woman wearing a black hat who I assumed was sleeping tilted her head to the side so I could see her face. But it wasn't Alison... it was my friend Anna who had flown all the way from Vancouver to meet me! (Well... London itself is a pretty big draw too, but I'm allowed to have my self indulgent moments.) As I said, this was the best surprise I've had... EVER!

Needless to say Anna and Alison have kept me pretty busy in jolly old London. Thus the lack of updates on the blog front. (Sorry for disappearing Dad!) Have been having a blast running around all my favorite things. Except of course that this time I have someone to be silly and retarded with and that makes it all the more fun.

Tomorrow I fly back to Vancouver. And frankly, it hasn't really donned on me that my trip is ending. I have no idea what to make of it, how to think of it, or how the heck I'm supposed to react to it. But that's probably just how things go. I fully expect it to take a good couple weeks for everything to sink in. Hell, at this point I can't even distinguish which memories happened in which cities!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to appologies to friends and family in advance. I'm scruffy, a bit short, kind of rude, and maybe a teensy weensy bit self centered at the moment. But once I realize that you're not all Eastern European border guards things will be just like old times. Well... except for the scruffiness. That'll take a good couple weeks to sort out. :P

I miss you all! See you soon!