"Wake up you're in England!!!" the girl sitting next to me shouted as our plane gently touched ground in the Queens backyard that is the London Heathrow Airport. As I looked through the melting frost on my window I couldn't help but feel the distance from my friends, family, and home become a reality, as well as the begining of a new exciting adventure.
My first eye opening experience that things were going to be different was with something as simple as a phone call. While trying to manage 4 full size suitcases, a backpack, and athletic bag I began to dial the number for the manager of my new apartment or "flat" if you will, to get directions. I felt helpless as I couldn't figure out how to dial the freaking number, but finally managed with the help of a nice gentlemen standing next to me. After regaining enough pride to coral my bags I made my way outside, got in a cab, and was off on my 30 minute adventure from LHR to Reading on the wrong side of the road to my new home for the next 6 months.
Weekdays full of Work, Weekend full of Visitors:
9/19 - 21/08
"Where am I?"
I asked myself as I journeyed out of my flat to explore all that Reading has to offer. When I walked out of the front door the concierge recommended I end my exploration with "The Oracle" the new heart of the Reading city center. With a name like "The Oracle" how could I not. After walking through unique shopping and eating areas in alleys and streets deemed for foot traffic only I ended as suggested at The Oracle. Now that all the places I had passed in the traditional city center were closed, I was looking forward to eating some pub food or other Enligh cuisine. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Chili's oh my! It seems that The Oracle is a new shopping district designed after US shopping centers filled with US restaurants. My chicken crispers from Chili's were delicious btw...
9/26 - 28/08
It's Your Birthday Mate, Of Course We'll Be There!!!
The following weekend was my birthday, leaving no child behind (or in this case a 25 year old) some of my friends I had recently seen in China who are currently located in other places in England, Ireland, and France, came in to show me a good time. The weekend was filled with good food, tours of London, laughter,
and was capped off by listening to "house music" (similar to techno) and dancing the night away. Although dancing is not really my thing (as seen in the picture), this place was awesome and fun was had by all. As we drifted away into the night with everyone else who was leaving, I turned to see the name of the place which was appropriately named "24." I could not help but think about the possible significance of walking away from "24" and my 24th year of life. While we walked down the alley I began thinking, I was one of the oldest people there, was my time to go to clubs and bars until the morning hours drifting away too? "Hey old man, we have to hurry to catch the Tube before it is too late!"10/3 - 5/08
Taylor is Here!
"Hey man it's me, I'm going to travel around Europe for a month. I'll be there in a week if you want to hang out." That is why I love Taylor, he is a free spirit in every essence of the word. While he was here we hung out in Reading, went to London, and Stonehenge. Don't worry this story continues in about 3 weeks when Taylor returned for the tail end of his trip.
10/11/08
Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, but "It's Better When We're Together!"
Driving to the airport I was so excited thinking about all the new things I had to share, I forgot which terminal Michelle was arriving in (The terminals at LHR are spread pretty far). After figuring out which terminal, I hurried inside to make sure I was waiting for her. Once I found the perfect place to wait I lo
oked to my right and noticed a guy standing with flowers. Thanks A lot for out doing me buddy. So naturally 5 minutes later when Michelle walked out I was standing with flowers (Thank you airport convenient store). Sorry Michelle, but you know me well enough to have assumed that is how it went down ;) The ride back was great, we talked about everything and anything that we could think of. Then our focus quickly shifted to catching the train to Paris for a weekend of Crepes, site seeing, and laying by the Eiffel Tower. The rest of Michelle's time in Europe was spent exploring London and having the time of our lives...10/19 - 26/08
Back in Cincy for Sean's Wedding
The following week I worked from Cincinnati, saw friends and family, and was in Mr. and Mrs. Sean M Stroh's wedding. The weddi
ng was beautiful, everything seemed to go to plan. Michelle and I spent most of the time talking about what our wedding will be like in just a few months. The rest of the time at home was spent visiting with Michelle's family, tossing the football with my brother and dad, talking to my mom about life in England, and hanging out with my sister-in-law.10/29/08 - 11/2/08
Andrew Arrives and Taylor Returns
London didn't know what it had coming when two of Nashville's finest and myself hit the town. We scurried through the streets seeing all the sites, experiencing different pubs, eating way too much (mainly me of course), and generally having a good time. Thursday night I had to return to Reading for work the next day so Taylor and Andrew lived it up in a hostel in London. The rest of the weekend was more of the same, good times with great friends. I would love to post pictures of this weekend but my camera "walked away" from my flat. I was reimbursed and re-bought the camera, the pictures will continue...
11/15 - 16/08
Manchester
Hemal, one of my friends from work and a native of the greater Manchester area, was back home and invited me up. We spent the weekend checking out the city center, doing a little bit of shopping, and eating the best home made Indian food known to man. His parents were great hosts and his mother is truly a wonderful cook.
11/21 - 29/08
Adam Lilenthal Helps to Get Jason's Trip Here Kicked Off
The pattern continues... more people and more kebabs. It was good to catch up with Adam and do a little site seeing as well. Adam
was only able to come for the short weekend so we hung out Friday night in Reading, went to Windsor Castle Saturday morning and then picked up Jason from the airport. Saturday night it was the usual site seeing in London and then we ate at "Ye Olde Chesire Cheese" an old English pub. I sat in what was Charles Dickens favorite seat. After we finished this wonderful meal and history lesson in 1, we went back to Reading so Adam could rush off to his train. Sunday was the first day that it was just Jason and I. We got a late start to the morning and had to grab Subway for a quick bite before we were off to see Stonehenge. The drive to Stonehenge was great. The countryside was awesome and it gave Jason and I a chance to catch up. When we arrived the sunset was painting a masterpiece waiting to be captured. With my second new camera in hand and Jason being a photographer we spent the hour before 
Stonehenge closed snapping pics (the picture to the right is one of my favorites of the ones I took). During the week Jason went to London most days while I worked and I met up with him once I finished work for the day. The night before Thanksgiving Jason and I went to the grocery store to get all the necessary ingredients for a feast. It was an adventure trying to find what we are used to at Tesco (very similar to Walmart). Thanksgiving Day I worked from home while Jason did his best impression of a chef. The meal turned out great. After I finished working we took off to the airport for our weekend in Rome.While in Rome we saw all that Rome had to offer, for a weekned that is. We ate at small Italian restaurants and spoke of life.
We saw the Colesium, Vatican, Ancient Rome, Pantheon, etc. I think our story of Rome is best told in the ~300 pictures and a couple videos I have uploaded. There are some great pictures of the Colesium after the sky cleared, enjoy!Now that this blog is started I will be posting more regularly so they will presumably be shorter and more detailed.
- Me
