Ova the Jumpaa

Hi all!  Its been a busy few days.  I am still recovering from the US invasion that was Susan and Trisha.  Needless to say we tore the city up.  They arrived on Thursday, and I met them out for a drink at the Albany Pub by my office.  After about one drink we were right back to where we left off about 6 months ago when I last saw them.  Trisha tried to get the bartender to give her a discount since she was actually from Albany, but he didn't bite.  From there we headed to dinner and then Waxy O'Connor's for a drink.  Trisha tried to get a discount there too, since her last name is O'Connor, to which the bartender responded, "yeah, you're Irish...you and every other American".  After a few drinks there we realized it was time to get serious so we headed into the heart of Soho to Soho Bar.  There we met some lovely Scots who witnessed our awesome dance moves and killer air band/spontaneous performance of Whitney Houston's Dance With Somebody.  These guys were totally impressed, but we had to keep on moving when that bar closed.  We headed to The O Bar, where we understood why Soho is known for its gay scene (especially after we passed a bar called G-A-Y).  We continued to dance the night away, and then I experienced my first kabob since moving to London. 

Friday, we managed to get ourselves out of bed and head into the city.  Trisha was meeting a woman from her London office (where she soon will work) so Suz and I wandered around Covent Garden until we found a place to eat.  After that we all met up again and wandered up to Oxford Street to see the fashions (I'm slightly disappointed the sequined full body unitards haven't made it to DC yet).  We then headed home to hit the grocery store for some pizza and decided that we should make it an "easy night" and just go out for a little while since we were out til 4 the night before.  Everyone knows this is the forbidden phrase.  As soon as you say it, you know you are in for the craziest night ever.  But we said it anyway.  So we had some pizza and then headed to my favorite bar, the Walkabout.  As I've said before, I love it because its as close to an American bar as you can get.  Well, we left my house at 10:30, hopped on the bus, and headed down the street.  After hitting two bars, teaching Australians how to play proper drinking games, and saying JUMPPAAA (aka jumper aka british/australian for sweater) about a gazillion times, we were home.  Night two in a row until 4 am.  

The next morning we wake up and are out of the house by 1:00.  Saturday lead us to the London Eye which was awesome.  I hadn't done that before either so it was cool to cross that off the tourist list.  That night we headed to Camden so the girls could meet Marita, Chloe and crew.  After a few drinks at Marita's house (and taking road sodas without fear of getting yelled at by cops), we headed to a Cuban dance hall.  Needless to say everyone was a bit creeped out.  Susan Trisha and I decided to head down to old reliable in Soho and relived The O Bar.  This time we headed downstairs where we sang along to a Grease medaly, a Mama Mia medaly, and other awesome awesome songs.  At around three we hoped in a cab, stopped to pick up kabobs, and then headed to bed. 

Sunday.  We headed off to Notting Hill.  After stopping at the first store (where T and I had much success during her visit), the girls both pick up a dress.  Then Trisha tries to take out money.  Bank crisis.  The finally realized she in London.  About two hours later and lots of time on the phone, she's able to finally get her stuff straightened out.  Since its sunny and 75, we meet up with my other crew (allison, chris, tam, james (x2), sio, hillary, etc) at the waterfront in Chizwick.  After a few ciders there (because what else goes with water and sun than cider?), Allison and Chris head to a bbq where there is beer pong.  These two little words made me jump.  So the 5 of us head over to the party.  After saying our hellos we walk over to the table (that's beer pong table for you rookies).  Its not so much a table, as it is two chairs facing each other far apart.  On the seat of the chairs are two trays that cups that say "PONG!!" are sitting in.  Apparently these guys bought a set for £15 that came with all of these parts.  Trish, Susan and I tried to explain the error of their ways and they said, if you can think of a better solution, let us know.  Immediately we look to the closet door and ask for a screw driver, but the guys weren't down for that.  After Trisha and Susan school the boys in beer pong, the single contingent of the party (the two guys who bought the pong and us three) hop in a cab and head to the bar.  Dance, dance, dance, head home, in bed by 3 or so.  

Monday.  What is supposed to be the rainiest day of the year turns out to be sunny and in the 70s.  We head out to Hyde Park.  It was great, although there were no celebrity spottings.  We saw naked kids frolicking in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.  We also saw a totally sweet mullet.  Then we headed over to the Tower of London, saw a Fire Tower, and saw the St. Katharine Docks (yes, spelled like me!).  We also hit Harrodd's and some shopping in Kensington.  For our final dinner we headed over to Brick Lane where the girls got to experience the Indian men that offer free bottles of wine and discounts off the bill.  We scored two free bottles of wine and 25% off the bill.  We decide that we should go out for another drink, closer to my house, just for a final adios to London.  We thought the Walkabout would be a good one to go to.  There are always people there, and its pretty good music.  We made some new friends, witnessed air guitar bingo (Aussie style), and met the guy who is Whitney Port's new love interest in the City after she breaks up the band guy (ok maybe not but it was a funny try).  

Over all it was an AMAZING trip, and I would say best weekend in London so far.  I can't wait until they move back (hopefully by then Trisha will be able to understand what people are saying when they speak)!!