It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

I'm actually not sure where to begin. London was beautiful. I love the architecture I love the busyness of it. I felt like I fit right in, almost like I'd been there before. I think I could live there honestly. The few hours we spent in Paris was so much fun, but we needed more days to do it the right way. The Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre was all crammed into twelve hours of good times. We detoured unexpectedly through Boulogne, France which was amazing. And overall the trip was great.
How. Ever.

The transportation issues were so ridiculous! On the way to London. Yetta Jaz and I nearly missed the plane because our layover wasn't really long enough for the size of O'Hare airport. We have to wait for our plane side checked luggage, the shuttle that's late, and literally run through the airport. When we arrive to the gate they are doing their last calls and are at the end of the list. Luckily, Yetta and I are at the end of the alphabet so we caught our names. I know the stand by people were so mad that we got there at the 11th hour. But indeed we made it.

On the plane one of the flight attendants (FA) was so rude. Every time Jaz asked for anything this lady would take forever or have an attitude. And that flight is waaay too long to have to deal with rude staff. Luckily, the FA on my side was extremely nice and helpful. Of course the guy seated in front of me had his seat all the way in my lap. And the person on the right of Jaz was a grumpy old guy who obviously had no love in his life. Very cramped and very, VERY long. But what's a few (many) hours of sleep in an upright seated uncomfortable position in order to experience a new city with old friends? Small sacrifice. Another small sacrifice that I will have to do next time is upgrade to first class or business class. Mama likes her personal space more than holding onto a few pennies.

So we get to London. Yay London! But all the novelty starts to wear off as we wait to go through customs. I'm starting to understand the brilliance of customs. People are excited to be somewhere new where no one knows them and they can do anything they want. This leads to tomfoolery of the highest order. In order to check it, make them wait in an hour and a half long line with their luggage. In the heat. And throw a sign up that says £200 fine for misuse (whatever that means). The sentiment quickly changes to please God let me get to fresh air outside of this airport. And one is transformed from highly excited fool to surviver.

After, making it out of customs we wait for Lauren to meet us and Gerald plane to arrive. Which of course is late. But eventually we make it out of the airport and into the city. Yes! After of course many random pics to document the CG reunion. But I digress.

Note: never ever skimp on hotels or transportation when traveling. The hotel wasn't bad. Just basic. One bed. One couch. 3 pillows, 2 towels. Mind you, 4 people. But we all went to college. We can make it work. Sneak extra towels pillows comforters etc. And we were right by Costas which is similar to Starbucks and therefore awesome. And they had WiFi so we were able to talk to friends and loved ones online so that worked out well. The only bad thing is that the hotel was so far away from city centre that it costs a minimum £6 each way just to get to where all the action was. Next time, I'll just spend the money to stay in the city and spend more time enjoying it instead of traveling to and from.

One mode of transportation that I didn't mind though was the tube. "Please mind the gap." This was the phrase we heard countless times as the gap between the train and the platform varied from 1-6 inches at different stops. But not only was it a horizontal distance gap but some times a vertical one as well. 667 gap related injuries per year. I was very amused. But I like trains/metros/subways anyways so I didn't mind riding it at all. (Although I always minded the gap! Can't be a casualty in a foreign country!) 

Next major mode of transportation was the Megabus ride into Paris. *Sigh* I'm exhausted even thinking about writing about it. I will have to give you the cliff notes because I. Just. Can't. So we started driving about 15-20 min late because of a printer? Issue. Anyways we go about 1.5 hours when we hit traffic. And by hit traffic I mean literally sit in traffic for 9 hours without moving more than 10 yards. If that. Then we have to go through customs. The ferry. Back on the bus. Wait for a new driver. Drive to Boulogne. Get dropped off at the train station. Trains not running. Get put in a hotel. Drive to Paris the next day. So a 9 hour trip to Paris took a day and a half leaving us with a half a day in Paris before going back on the bus back to London through French and British customs and finally back to London.

Then a 2 hour delay caused me and Jaz to miss our connected flights and stay the night in Chicago. Then we finally home the next day after more plane delays for Jaz. I had to super cliff notes it because this post was entirely too long. I will go back and fill in the details. And add in all the fun. I promise. And it won't take me another three weeks to do so Lol.