Shan in Japan

London, Paris and New York.  All the space of two weeks.  The last leg of my Air India ticket from Paris to NY was a flight from hell.  Air India maintained a good record for all 4 flights I took with them for having some sort of delay or technical 'snag' as they like to describe it.  Anyway, enough of that.  I arrived in one piece at Newark airport where my mum picked me up and proceeded to get us lost on the maze of highways (she does this everytime I visit) for a 'long-cut', if there is such a term, home.  It was good to see Nikki-lee made it back to.  She was on an earlier flight from Paris in the morning, so we had breakie on one side of the Atlantic and dinner on the other side. 

This is the first time in at least 2 years the whole fam is back under the same roof.  Though my other sister, Elle, now lives in NYC and is going to Art College.  I spent the last weekend with her hanging out with her 18year old friends in the city and Brooklyn.  All the cool art students checking out this and that of art/photo galleries.  Quite appealing is the thought of having a crack at living in the big apple. (why do they call it that...?)    Speaking of apples,  I got myself a new toy - mac computer.  Great machine and very happy with it.  Now I should be able to spruce up and update my blog more often.

Not long here though.  I will be heading to New Zealand next Wednesday to visit my Grandmother.  Just 7 days there, then I'll be back in New York.  Much time now for serious thinking about work, 'getting back to normal' etc.  I can the see the end of the road on this adventure looming up soon.  But there will be more to come I am sure.

A very whirlwind visit to London is already over. Partied up in Soho on Saturday night and took in a few sights the following sunday. Went out to the Camden markets and had to buy a jacket because still so cold! Took a walk past Big Ben and admired the view from the London Eye ferris wheel before boarding the Eurostar for Paris. Yeah, so London is not such a bad place afterall - at least in small doses.
Lacking sleep, I hardly noticed my trip to Paris as I snoozed all the way. Quite a strange feeling getting off a train after a short trip and suddenly the language, currency and overall atmosphere is completely different to that when I boarded the train. I was lucky to make a French friend when I was in Sri Lanka who put me up for the first night. I indulged on all the goodies like champagne, crepes, various cheeses and rich desserts. French diet seems far richer than the English diet, yet nobody appears to be overweight like the Brits. Red wine must be the secret perhaps. Picked up little sister from the airport first thing this morning, checked into our funky little art deco hotel and knocked back a coffee on a streetside cafe (as you do when in Paris) before heading out for the afternoon. First stop was the Eifel Tower naturally. It's probably been over 20 years now since I came as a kid and this time I made sure I got to the top - no matter how much time and money it would cost! My French is terrible, but I do have my disclaimer (could you please speak English - parlez vous Anglàis, sou vil plais!!) down good. Little sister seems to be doing all the talking for me. This is good! Paris is exciting. Much to explore.

Spent a few days in India and said good bye to Asia.  Arrived to unexpected blue skies over London Heathrow airport.  The first shock was the chilly air, then exchanging the last of my rupees - about 500Rs, which amounted to just over 4pounds.  Maybe enough to cover a coffee and a biscuit here, but those rupees would have bought easily 2 or 3 days worth of meals in India.  Back to expensive countries!  This is why I have to limit my stay to just 5 days in England. 

Took a bus out to Bath-Spa to catch up with a friend who I haven't seen in 10 years.  We met in Japan, like so many of the people I've caught up with over the past months of travelling.  Much chatting to fill in the blanks!  She is now married and has two kids.  I feel now I've reached that age when many of my friends and peers are tying the knot.  Several of my friends from uni days are married now. 

I haven't visited England since living here as a kid.  I don't have too many fond memories of the place really. Just the usual impression people have of a cold, wet, grey and drap place to live.  Perhaps thats why I've had no desire to come here again until now.  I only came here because it was a stop over on my ticket to New York and I have several friends living here.   But seeing it as an adult is of course a different experience.  I spent today walking around the township of Bath and taking in all the rich history.  Such a beautiful and tidy city.  Spring is in the air and daffadols are blooming everywhere.  Still no leaves on the trees, but after the unruliness and chaos of the Sri Lankan jungle, the orderly rolling hills of the English countryside is a dramatic contrast.  Tomorrow I will head into London city for a night out on the town and see a few more friends.