MUSSELS 2 GO

I havent been writing because things changed. I got comfortable and I turned into a tourist and a friend. So much for being alone.

A chance encounter with Dylan made for less time typing on the phone. The next dry spell was due to a stay with Tom, an old collegehumor colleague, and then I was in London for two fast days. London in 48 hours? Didn't even come close. Now it's raining. More on that later.

After riding for a day through Essex county, then London, I resolved never to bring a bike to England again. Not only do the drive on the wrong side of the road- they also barely have room for one car.

I got my fat back from British food. My skin and bones six pack was obliterated by British pints, fish and chips and all day English breakfast.

Tom lived in an old, old thatched roof cottage called Thatch End in Henham. It doesn't get more British than this place. We saw three terrible movies together: The Expendables, Knight and Day and Piranha 3D. Piranha was the clear winner.

After that I checked into a London hostel in Hamsptead Heath. I visited the British Museum (sparse, huge), the National Portrait Gallery (too many grumpy British faces), and the Tate Modern (never seen so many Asians). I saw two plays in the West End: The Prisoner of Second Avenue starring Jeff Goldblum (!) and La Bête starring the other dude from Frasier. La Bête made me laugh so hard I almost fell out of my ten pound balcony seat. Looque knows where the deals are. I need to go back to London. It's very cool.

Being the frugal Jew I am, I didn't take the chunnel train to Paris. I thought a ferry and some more camping in Normandy would be nice. What's the weather forcast, BBC? Perfectly sunny all week in France?? Alrighty!

My train to New Haven was at 6:47 in the morning. If I missed this one, I would probably miss the ferry to France, too. I am GREAT at underestimating distances even after a cross Europe trip. I thought waking up at 6 would be appropriate. London is huge.

Dear old lady I clipped outside of Buckingham Palace,

If you're reading this, I'm really sorry. I needed to make that train. I realize now maybe I should have stopped to see if you were alright, but it only would have slowed me down. I figured a clean break was the best for both of us. I know nothing really bad happened, there weren't any screams, and I'm pretty sure I only got caught on the bottom of your jacket. If it's any consolation I missed that train. But I caught the ferry. I also paid four pounds for a bagel- that's kinda like getting surprised at 6 AM by a foriegn biker in a neon reflector vest! I love you. And your country.

Looque.

Then I went back to France. I didn't eat anything on the ferry because I was going to Normandy- the best Mules Frites in the world.