It was so good how well Renaud went in Sweden, we all couldnt believe it when he came out of the water in such a good position and then stayed on for such a good placing. I have never been prouder of anyone.
He stayed on in Sweden for a couple more days to see the professionals race the next day, he was invited to race in the professionals category but politely declined. We unfortunately couldnt move our flight which meant we couldnt be there for the medal ceremony and party, however, we would see him in london and we could celebrate there, there was some serious celebration to be done!
We flew out of the beautiful country and went to London. Im not saying England isnt beautiful, just in a different way. Anyways.... we arrived in Heathrow, and since last time i was there the security has really stepped up. People are ruder and cold and we werent given a very nice reception, but it was interesting being in a country finally where i understood absolutely everything that everyone was saying. We saw our quota of celebs at Heathrow as you must, this time it was Burt Renolds and that guy from the really famous movie, who no one could name, and then trotted off to Notting Hill where we were staying, after forking out for the 70 quid cab fare, ah yes, we knew we were in london. We went to the local pub and watched the soccer that was on, and basically just hung around.
The next day we all chose something that we had not done in london that we wanted to do and decided to do it. Dad ended up having to work at the London office, but it was ok because mum and i went to go and see Madame Tussauds, something both of us had never done. We got there, very excited, and walked up to the toll booth, after discovering that entrance was 31 pound we turned on our heels and decided to go and find something else to do. What else did mum suggest but shopping! But i was fine with that, we got to totter around together and talk and all that, it was really nice. That night we had dinner with some old friends of dads and mums which was good. Simon, dads friend, i must have spoken to 20 times breifly on the phone, but never met him, and he turned out to be a really cool guy, they invited me to come and visit them whenever i was in London which im sure ill do!
The next day we did one of my things, living in Austria is great, and i absolutely love the food, but of course i miss some of the things from home, one especially being a tradition that mum and i regularly honour, that of Yum Cha. So we went down to China town and ate ourselves stupid, it was so much fun. We walked through Soho, taking in all the sights, sounds and interesting herbal aromas of London, and basically just hung around.
London is the sort of place that you could spend your life in. On face level you hate it, its too expensive, dirty or big, and on the other hand it has this magnetic attraction about it. I love the class of it all, i find it classier than Paris. The other thing was i realised how awesome it is to travel with your parents, i know ive already said it, but damn its good, i mean seeing them is ok, but getting to order the steak on the menu is the best part, surely an item that a poor exchange student would have no means of paying for!
Paz