London, Heathrow Airport.

Allright! Second time is the charm. The first time i tried typing this, i couldnt figure out how to sign into my blog for the life of me. ''technologically savy'' are not the words that normally come to mind when i describe myself. I am sitting in London's Heathrow Airport, at an internet cafe in hour 7 of my 12 hour layover.

The first leg of my trip is going well- I got to Philly in plenty of time last nite carrying a backpack, a duffelbag, a sleeping bag, and my kayak, which had been wrapped in a tarp, duct tape and NRS straps, and looked so much like a dead body i am amazed they didnt stop me right there to arrest me. To my suprise, they gave me no trouble at all, didnt even officially weigh my boat. Picked it up, guestimated the weight, and carried it off. Now all that remains to be seen is that it actually makes it all the way to Entebbe. I cant imagine misplacing something that obtrusive, but, stranger things have happened.

So far, Heathrow has been uneventful. London looks gray and rainy, no suprise there i am told. I did not make it out into the city- i wasnt able to reach my friend, i didnt want to wander around london inadequetly dressed in the rain, carrying my bedding for the next three months. Plus, i fell asleep in some great chairs for approximatley 2 hours; a fabulous nap after a long flight.

It feels as though i've had a lot of waiting so far on this trip, allowing me plenty of time for self reflection and analysis. Part of me loves waiting around here, wandering, just watching all the people who pass by. There are so many types, nationalities... its really incredible. I saw an older couple dressed in matching ensembles of jeans and red sweaters, beautiful indian saris, African Kabaah robes, and super trendy European girls dressed in all black wearing hordes of makeup. (i of course fit right in, wearing polypro, a backpack, and carrying a nalgene and a sleeping bag- ha) I love the looks i get wandering into the super expensive stores they have lining the moving sidewalk, gucci, salvatore ferragamo, chanel, harrods, symthson of bond street... I've never understood how somepeople manage to stay so beautifully composed and put together when they are traveling. I always feel like a mess. Welp, thats about all i have for now. My next flight leaves around 9 pm British time, and deposits me in Entebbe around 8 am, where my escort back to NRE and SPH should be waiting.

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