Hello from LONDON!

Hey y'all! It didn't take me long to make it known that I wasn't from London. "Ya'll" came out of my mouth at customs and the nice lady quickly realized I was from somewhere in the Southern USA. After an 8 1/2 flight from ATL, two movies, two meals, and some pretzels, I finally made it. London is amazing. I've been here less than 8 hrs and there have already been so many firsts for me. I just got back from walking the streets of London, simply taking pictures with no sense of where I was going to end up. This city is absolutely beautiful. If you've ever been to the French Quarter in New Orleans, you know how historic and unique it is. Now imagine a city of 4 million people with nothing but that architecture and atmosphere. Everywhere you turn is something different. Musuems, parks, and pubs round out almost every corner. I managed to find a pub called "A Friend in Here" that had a St. Bernard as a logo, so I tried it out. Of course, I had to have a "pint" and the famous fish and chips. Yes, it's as cliche as going to Graceland and Rendezvous on your first trip to Memphis, but I don't care. English food is, well, different. Much more bland than American food that I am used to, but nothing a little (or a lot) of pepper can't fix! The beer, however, is good. I simply picked one that looked good and got it. Worked out well. I think it was somewhere around 11 pounds for everything, which is about $16. Not too far from normal in a big city I would say. I guess that's what this is all about: trying new things. I found it random that fish and chips also included a side of peas. I'm assuming that's custom here, but just seemed strange. However, I ate them and they were fine. Hump, Hub, Knoll: You would eat all this stuff, no problem.

I've noticed elevators (lifts as they are called here) seem to be popular. However, escalators are not, as I have yet to see one. Getting through the airport would be like reading a Greek Children's book. Really, really tough. Especially with 7 weeks worth of luggage. I refused to pay for a taxi and told myself I was going to use the train to get into London. Well I did. My first train experience was awesome. Pretty cool way to come into the city by seeing the country side and then gradually trend into the urban area. Once I got into London, I decided I would cab it the rest of the way, simply because draggin around my luggage was getting old. I'm glad I did. My cab driver was awesome. I read that you always get a quote before getting in a cab. My quote was right on. I also got a pretty scenic route to my hotel. The first historic landmark I saw in London was Buckingham Palace. Pretty good way to start, huh? History lesson: The Queen has her own flag that flies when she is home at the Palace. It was not flying today, therefore she wasn't there. The guards are awesome. Before my time is up, a picture with the guards will be taken. I will do my best to make them break character, without getting put in the quode (jail) of course. ha Well, I'm going to take it easy for a bit before I venture back out to probably The West End. It's Lodon's version of Broadway/entertainment district. Hope all is well back in the states. I'll have more pictures later!

Until my next post,

Life's a garden. Dig it.

Woodard

Next Stop: London, England

Hello from Atlanta! Well, the journey has officially begun. It's been a good day so far, as Mom was able to take me to scenic Memphis International at which point I proceeded to find a spot at the bar in Sun Studio Cafe and watch what was looking like an absolute beat down for Team USA. Much to my suprise and pleasure, when I got to Atlanta, I discovered the USA had come back to tie. Of course there was a goal called back, but I've yet to see the replay. The way they were playing to begin the game, a tie wasn't too bad. Enough of that.

As soon as I got on the plane this morning, I realized what I was about to do. This is seriously a trip of a life time for me. I don't think 3 years ago I would have done this, but something told me it was time and honestly, I would kick my own a#$ if I didn't do it. Of course, support from family and friends has helped as well. Most of you know I'm not the biggest fan of flying, so hopefully the person sitting beside me for 8+ hours tonight won't mind getting their arm grabbed a time or two, or twelve if things get a little bumpy. In a dream world, I could snap my fingers, fall asleep, then wake up drooling up against the window looking at Big Ben. Big Ben, Parliament. Big Ben Parliament. As I sit here and watch the U.S. Open with a cold american beverage, I'm trying to decide what I could shoot in U.S. Open conditions? Knoll claims he could shoot 85, which is the most ignorant statement to come out of his mouth since the last time I talked to him. He could play 15 holes and be above 85. Let's be honest, Knoll...we aren't that good. On a side note, Humphries, Davidson, and Wells: how do tides work? Why does the moon cause water to come to shore then back out? Ponder that one. 18 at Pebble Beach is one of the most scenic holes in golf, and the tide makes it so. I just can process things like that. It bothers me. I would go into my rant about fax machines and cameras, but that's for a different day.

As for my last meal in the U.S.A., it consists of a blackened grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and a Bud Light. Pretty American if you ask me. I'm in the international terminal, so I'll let you imagine the range of people sitting around me. I'll explain one: I'm going to guess either from Hong Kong, maybe Tokyo, jeans, jean jacket, ipod blaring to what I have no doubt is either Hanson or Spice Girls, possibly Miley Syrus (no shame there). The kicker, he is stuffing his face with chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes. He even brought his own chop sticks. Ok, not really, but seeing chop sticks dipped in gravy would be pretty funny. Did I meantion the jean jacket is rolled up past his elbows? He looks like New Kids On the Block threw up on him. Seems like a nice fella, though. I hope he's going to London.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. I'm going to get back to my food, beer, golf, and jean jacket Jackie. Next time you hear from me it will be from ENGLAND!!! Take care. 143.

Until my next post,

Life's a garden. Dig it.

Woodard

Well, I've finally decided to sit down and do it. With the help of my sis, Lindsey, I've managed to finally set up my blog. This all came about as an easy connection for me back home during what I am considering a journey of a lifetime for me. Just six days from now I will be leaving the U.S.A. to study for 6 weeks in Cambridge, U.K. Since AT&T likes to make more money when you are roaming, this blog and Skype will be my main communication back home. I'll talk a little more about that as the trip gets a little closer. I will also be using this blog to post all of my pictures from my travels overseas, because I know folks like Humphries will be dying to know what I'm doing.

As for today, I just got back from hanging out in Memphis, enjoying the Redbirds, Flying Saucer and I had my first experience with the famous "soul burger". I must say, the "soul burger" was lacking, um, should I say, spirit. I'm absolutely willing to give it another chance, but by no means is it in the ballpark of my favorite meal, Ribs from Rendezvous. As I sit here and type this, I'm watching the pre-game coverage of the much anticipated World Cup match between the U.S.A. and England. A few things come to my mind. What could they possibly talk about for the next 60 minutes that hasn't already been discussed for the past 188 days since the draw was announced? The only person I know that could sit here and watch every bit of this coverage is Knoll, and he doesn't have much of a choice, because being the All-Star athlete he is, managed to break is foot. Second, why is a soccer field so big? Is it really necessary to have that big of a field? Are they really happy with games ending 0-0, 1-0, or if a team is really outmatched, 2-0? Also, if I waited four years to play in the World Cup and my first game ends in a tie, I'm not happy. Ties are like kissing your sister. Not acceptable and should be punishable. It's pretty simple in my book, make the field smaller. Keep the number of players the same, but the field smaller and you have more scoring opportunities. If the game is tied at the end, keep going. Yes, someone will eventually score, and you have a winner. Simple. Of course, they didn't ask my opinion, but I didn't ask their permission either. I am not a soccer fan to say the least, but I am a fan of my country and will root for them whether it's soccer, hockey, snow skiing, or even curling. In saying that, here's to a U.S. victory!

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your Saturday.

Until my next post,

Life's a garden. Dig it.

Woodard