Amy

I had forgotten how incredibly busy London gets, even in the "shoulder" season.  I grumbled my way around London dodging prams and slow tourists that line up side by side then stop to take photos.  It is much easier to dodge them when travelling solo, however we didn't do much of this. 

Now we are in Japan... I won't bore you with details of a painfully slow and sleepless flight.  I will just say that about one minute from reaching our hotel room door I was so weary from travelling I nearly burst into tears.  Needless to say I had a nice sob and a good shower.  Food solved the problem and we are both happily relaxing in our "deluxe" room with computer and King sized bed, an upgrade because they ran out of the room we reserved.

Japan is facinating.  I am enjoying it with fresh eyes and a small sense of the culture.  I am SO incredibly grateful to all of those patient and kind Japanese friends who have over the years taught me some phrases.  I even impressed myself by what I remembered from learning over 4 years ago.... i.e. "I am hungry."  With the incredibly limited Japanese that I know Greg and I were able to navigate the train, tube and menus with non-English speaking people.  We even asked for directions.  People are very friendly here and I am looking forward to a full day of shopping tomorrow, a luxury I have not taken on the trip other than yarn and a few small souvenirs.  I am not sure where I will put these things I plan on buying as my bag is completely full and far too heavy (18kg).  It's a hernia waiting to happen! 

What is hard to believe is that although we return this week (Tuesday morning I think) I will be on the road again on Thursday for a convention (work.)  I am looking forward to those two days at home even though there will be lots of work involved.