7/27/11 Going home

This morning we were waiting at our hotel for our bus.  When it didn't show up, Mathias called and was told that it went to the wrong hotel and couldn't make it to us in time to get us to the airport. I was worried we wouldn't make our flight, but we ended up using a shuttle bus that was free for kids under age 14.  We were running pretty late though and just barely made the flight after we got through customs.

I wish I could have stayed in Europe longer.  This trip really went by too fast!

As usual, I couldn't sleep on the plane.  By the time we landed in Seattle, I was very impatient to see my family, but exhausted from being awake so long.

As we started to get closer to our families at SeaTac, I could see a sign with my picture and name on it.

Once all of the families saw us, a cheer went up in the crowd.

I heard Makenna scream my name and she came running to me and gave me a big hug.

All of the students and their families were hugging all around us.

 Next was a big hug from my mom.  She was crying when she saw me! 

Mom told me that on the way home I started mumbling my words and then fell asleep.  I don't remember any of that though.

At home there was a sign hanging in front of the garage that a bunch of my friends and family had signed.  That made me feel pretty special.

We unpacked a little and I gave Makenna, Mom, and Dad their gifts.  They really liked them!

I went to bed that night and slept really well.  I didn't have much trouble adjusting to the change in time back home.

I had an amazing trip, the trip of my lifetime!  I want to thank all of you who supported me and believed in me.  I really don't have the words to thank you enough!

7/26/11 Last day in London

Today was our last full day in Europe.  I am sad because it's not just our last day in a city, but our last day on this continent!  Our first stop was the London Eye.  It was  HUGE!  I rode in car seven. Each car held about 25 people.

Car thirteen was just an empty shell since that number is unlucky in England

It moved super slow!  We saw Big Ben, which I called Ben because it wasn't really that big.

at the top

I didn't really lean on the door, this was for a joke!

 After the London Eye we went to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  I had planned on meeting up with Nacho and Simon and spotted them from across the street.

I was really excited to see Nacho and to meet Simon.  We talked for a little while.  Simon's accent is awesome.  I didn't get to spend too much time with them, but I was so happy they came!  It was a long drive with traffic for them and I really appreciate them meeting up with me!

This is an awful picture of me, but the only one I have

We saw beef eaters.  I guess it is a really big deal to be one!

We had bangers and mash for lunch which is sausage and potatoes.  YUM!

The Tower of London was our next stop.  We were told that many people believe that this is the actual Tower of London because it's so elegant, but it is not the real deal. 

The actual Tower of London is very plain.

Traitors Gate

This pillow is only symbolic and is at the exact spot where lots of people were beheaded.  When you were beheaded, you only had a wood block to put your head on and there would be a straw basket to catch it when it fell.

 This polar bear is to show that there was once a zoo here.

Fish and chips for dinner and then off to see a play.  We saw Wicked, which is my FAVORITE play!  I was in heaven.  It was a little different than when I saw it in Austin.  The song tempos were a bit faster and the play seemed a little shorter, but I still loved it!

We got back to the hotel really late and had to wake up at 4 am to go to the airport.  I packed and I think I slept for about an hour.  I was excited to go home and see my family, but if someone said I could stay another week I would.

7/25/11 London!

We woke up on the ferry at 4 am to prepare to get off at 5 am.  Breakfast was bread, Nutella, and juice.  We went to our hotel to check in and then headed to Hampton Court Palace, home of Henry VIII. On the way we saw this phone booth.

Henry VIII was a mean dude, but his palace was really pretty. First up was the maze.  It is the worlds oldest maze and even has a Guinness Book of World Records certificate to prove it.  Savannah and I paired up and made it to the middle.

The grounds were amazing!  I really liked the trees shaped like mushrooms.

The palace was beautiful.  We also went to Queen Mary's apartment.  Like all of the palaces we've seen, there are a lot of pretty chandelier and art too.

Next we went to Windsor Castle.  I was wondering if William and Kate might be there since their last name is Windsor and I'm a big fan of them.

We were supposed to see the inside, but there was a mix up with our reservations, so we didn't get to.  We were also going to go see the crown jewels, but he line was really long and we decided to go shopping instead.  While shopping we saw some more of these telephone booths which are cool.

I had hoped to meet up with Nacho and Simon today, but it didn't work out.  I can't wait to see them tomorrow!