Are we still in Oregon?

London weather greeted us so that we would feel at home... in Oregon. Thats right it's humid and rainy. Everyone now has curly hair... Thanks London!

We all arrived in London the around the same time. Except for Heather who waited for us for two hours, but the rest of us were fairly close together. Heather only got a few awkward waves, comments and looks while she waited. Passport control decided to interrogate us individually. They must know we are weaker that way. We answered all the questions with confidence, not like it's really that hard to answer: "where are you from" and "what exactly is your purpose in being here?" Or our personal favorite: "can I see your eurail pass?" (like we are lying about owning one?).

We all got our baggage (STACI TOO!) and went to the train station to get tickets for the Tube, which only took us to Paddington Station (and then decided that it would no longer run). We were ushered toward the bus station and struggled a little to find the right one. We stood confused until some nice English people told us to get off because our hostel was five blocks back. We looked like American tourists ( partially because we are, and partially because we were walking around in circles with backpacks on). SHOUT OUT to JanSport expect a photo to come soon, Spring 09 catalogue perhaps? Despite our struggles we made it alive to our hostel. To say it is luxurious would be an exaggeration. There are 16 beds in our room, no walking space and what may be the smallest window ever created. Heather made it to the 6th floor with three randoms. They seem to be becoming fast friends, or just the opposite of that (they don't speak to her).

Keeping in true Rick Steves spirit we decided to follow his advice and stay awake until the night in order to get into a pattern. It's four in the afternoon and we have already lost four soldiers. (Yeah Staci, Trina and Heather who are "bloggin'" it up right now). Before this we had time to take a little look around London. We walked through Kensington Park and saw the castle. The grounds of the castle at least, because we didn't want to pay to go in. It was here we noticed we were lacking in enthusiasm so we decided to get a bus pass and see how much we could see from the double decker. This seemed cool at first until we couldn't find our way to Piccadilly Circus and just gave up.

Tomorrow's agenda: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and of course ICE BAR!!!

Best Meal of the day: Well we only had one but I think it was the lukewarm ice-less smoothie/ tap water. Who knew it was so weird to ask for "regular" water?

Worst Meal of the day: Whatever the airline thinks is "food"

Weirdest thing that happened: Devin and Staci witnessed a man molest himself at a bus stop strange that no one else saw this???? Or even heard about it until now?