Ugh. Worst day of the trip yet. Woke up in Siena, and packed up to get on a plane and fly to Paris, meet up with step-mom in Charles de Gaulle airport, and fly to London. Dad and step-mom will be staying here for another few weeks, while I will be getting on a plane back to the states on Friday.

So today involved a lot of travel, which made everyone a little cranky.

Then we got to London (which is a beautiful city, by the way.... just wanted to throw that out there ahead of time).

Well over half the people we've run into or interacted with in London have been rude, unpleasant, and downright hostile towards us, making us in turn kind of hostile towards each other. No one has expressly said as much out loud, but I strongly suspect it's because we're USians.

This is a complete and utter 180 from everyone we met in Italy, and the few Parisians we had contact with on our way through CDG airport. I'm now wishing we'd come to London first, as it's threatening to crap all over my otherwise wonderful vacation.

London is pretty, but has been rather unwelcoming. Maybe after some sleep, Londoners will be nicer.

Tomorrow, I get one day of walking around London, maybe seeing a sight or two, then it's a performance of War Horse on the West End in the evening, and then a loooooong plane flight on Friday.

Honestly, I don't think she's a Parker. She might be a Cali (because she's a Cali girl!) or a Penny (faithful, patient waiting for her family like Penelope).

Sean, I am sorry that London has been so hostile to you so far. Honestly, I ran into more of the anti-American thing in Italy than I ever did in England. But maybe the political climate has changed since I was last abroad. I hope your enjoyment of London improves, it really is a wonderful city.

That sucks Sean.

I believe you've got to meet a pet face-to-fact before you can decide on a name.

Does unopened steak sauce go bad? What about caviar?

Coffee: I'm sorry to hear that Sean. I've loved London and never had issues with Londoners (aside from normal city type stuff which I've seen in NYC etc). Please don't judge it on this one visit, and certainly don't let it ruin the incredible trip.

Maybe you can just understand it when they're cussing you out now...

Honestly, I ran into more of the anti-American thing in Italy than I ever did in England.

Not a single anti-American attitude in all of Italy that I experienced, and freely admitted to anyone and everyone where I was from.

Not a single anti-American attitude in all of Italy that I experienced, and freely admitted to anyone and everyone where I was from.

Nah, me either based on last year. Haven't been to England in yonks though.

Not a single anti-American attitude in all of Italy that I experienced, and freely admitted to anyone and everyone where I was from.

Don't get me wrong, most of Italy was wonderful, but there were a couple of incidents, like the gladiator who threatened my mother with a sword outside the Colosseum when he misinterpreted something she said and informed her that all Americans are rude when she tried to apologize for the misunderstanding.

I found Italians really helpful to me as a tourist--like they were genuinely happy to take my order or give directions or whatever. Londoners I found not effusive and more businesslike--which can feel cool, especially after basking in Italian warmth. However, I dug them once I hung out a bit. I bet once you are out on the street tomorrow actually hanging out, instead of dealing with airport/taxi-type people, you'll like Londoners very much.