Days 1 & 2

Itinerary

I had never been to New York before this summer. Making this temporary move work has been one of those stars-aligning fortuitous moments that wouldn't have worked without a number of improbable things happening in sequence.

First I'd like to mention the economy.

Without which I wouldn't have needed to hold down multiple jobs to still manage to live well below the poverty line right out of college. This burns out The Brendan.

Next I'd like the thank my dog

My name is Melon and I think I'm a person.

Without whom we wouldn't have lost two apartments and needed to sign a four month maximum lease (which we were incredibly lucky to get)

Also, mention goes to UCLA, for accepting me this fall and giving me a reason to leave The Bay anyway. 

Those of you who know me well already know where I've 'streamlined' 

for the sake of the narrative (but also to make it look like I have my shit together).

But without a doubt the biggest reason I'm typing from a flat in London (I guess they're not apartments here, also what the hell is an aubergine) is because my girlfriend's cousin is graduating, and her whole family (who we're staying with on the east coast) went out to visit.

 

              ^ This guy ^

So, now on to the actual ITINERARY

12 Arrive London

13 London

14 London

15 London

16 London

17 Depart London – Arrive Vienna

18 Vienna

19 Vienna

20 Vienna

21 Vienna

22 Depart Vienna – Arrive Munich

23 Munich

24 Munich

25 Munich

26 Munich

27 Munich

28 Depart Munich – Arrive Istanbul
29 Istanbul

30 Istanbul

1 Istanbul

2 Depart Istanbul – Arrive Rome

3 Rome

4 Rome

5 Rome

6 Rome

7 Depart Rome-Arrive Florence 

8 Florence                 

9 Depart Florence-Arrive Verona

10 Verona

11 Depart Verona arrive Geneva

12 Geneva

13 Depart Geneva – Arrive Paris

14 Paris

15 Paris

16 Paris

17 Depart London

So a couple days ago we traded one skyline for another.

In case you're having trouble: New York and London

Today was our first full day, so despite jet lag we did our duty and did touristy stuff. Took the underground to Westminster and went to find Churchill's War Room.

There it is!

My favorite photo of the day.

That's a double decker bus passing under Big Ben. This photo had to be substantially brightened because it was extremely gloomy. I don't know how I'm going to top this level of Britishness.

Lots more funtivities planned while in London. Going to the Queen's birthday on Saturday. No, really. It's outside and will be very crowded.

More soon. Still jet lagged.

Brendan