Paris, London, home....

This entry finds me at Palmers Lodge hostel in London, where I stayed at the beginning of my trip. Coincidentally, I am in the same room and the same bed (no kidding!). Tomorrow morning, I will wake early and make my way to the airport to head home from this great adventure. And as anxious as I am to see all of you, I find that I am more than a little bit melancholy tonight. But before I attempt to delve into that, a recap of the last little bit....

PARIS: Internet access was very expensive and I couldn't access my blog, which was a bit of a bummer, but the city was AMAZING. I found myself staying at a hostel which made me feel as though I was in Compton (coz, you know, Ive spent time there...)...it was more than a bit dodgy, but I met a lovely Mexican girl named Eva and we spent 3 days together exploring the city. 5 days was too much in Rome and 3 was too little in Paris, as it turns out, but I got to see much of what I wanted to, including the Opera House, Versailles, Montmartre, and of course, the Eiffel tower. Eva and I spent Sunday night in the park at the foot of the tower drinking wine, talking, watching fire-artists, and dancing to drummers. Completely and utterly incredible, and one of the highlights of the trip. Dancing at the foot of the brilliantly lit Eiffel tower on a warm night in July has to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I felt so free from any kind of worry - it was like flying! Much like the night I spent in the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, words really do elude me....

Today I took the cheapest route possible to London, which involves a bus to Calais, then the ferry across the English Channel, and the bus to London....it was a NINE HOUR experience, but it was so lovely to be on the water - even though it was coooooooooold. London weather has done a complete 180 since I was here in June. It feels like a Canadian October here tonight.....
I wandered down to Piccadilly Circus as I was supposed to meet Eva (she arrived in London today after taking the Eurostar), but I found that I was 40 minutes late and missed her. I sat at the base of the statue of Eros for about a half hour and watched people go by...among them an astonishing number of police officers (makes me feel very safe!), and my melancholy grew and grew. In a way, the sadness makes me very pleased, as I have made so many new and fantastic memories, especially of London and Paris. London feels very much like home to me, and I hope that one day the opportunity to have more time here presents itself as I would jump at it....
Perhaps I am rambling, I dont know. Its almost 11pm here and I should shower and go to bed as I have another long travel day (home!) ahead of me. But I dont want today to end....suddenly I feel as though the adventure is just beginning. 5 weeks seems to have whizzed right by......
Now I really am rambling, and the queue for this computer is getting longer...so I shall bid you all a fond buona notte, bon nuit, goodnight....and see you all very very soon!

Thanks for reading.....