I loved the British museum, but at the same time I found it overwhelming. So much to see led to sensory overload.

I am in heaven. I have arrived in NYC and made my way to the hotel room, and now I am going to put on my pjs, order room service, and watch tv until I fall asleep.

Sean, I know you're exhausted and feeling a bit fragile (travel often makes me the same way), but try not to let what I'm sure was meant to just be a flippant joke affect you like this. Of course people weren't really saying horrible things about you. You had a fabulous trip (complete with beautiful Italian stranger watching horse racing on the streets..I mean, seriously?? How cool is that??) and have just had a rough day in London. It's true that Londoners aren't known for their effusiveness and friendliness. I think I probably don't notice as much just because of the whole stiff upper lip New England upbringing, pip pip, cheerio and all. Anyway, this is silly. It's all good! Revel! Hurray for awesome trips, even if they have not-so-awesome final days!

If you get a chance to check out Churchill's underground war rooms do so (I know you'd love them), and the many fabulous London walking tours are well worth the time and very affordable (8 pounds). I've been on a bunch of them and always had an amazing time. The Jack the Ripper tour is (ironically) silly fun, and now I'm kind of dying to go on the "Occult Da Vinci Tour!" they've apparently started to offer. I've also been on several ghost walks and loved them. Whee! London! I miss it.

Annnnyway, back to the whole hotel room slounge for me. ND comes into port in the morning--whee! I get to see him for a couple of days before I head back home and he heads back to sea for a couple more weeks.

ETA: Clicky link to Thursday walking tours!

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.

Did...your mother *time travel*?!?

(No, I get the gist; it's just amusing to imagine a ye olde gladiator brandishing his sword at a lovely American woman.)

Heh, Teppy! The Colosseum was filled with locals dressed as Gladiators hoping to make money taking pictures with tourists. My mother mentioned to a tourist that they worked only on tips, hoping to encourage them to tip well, and the local misinterpreted it.

Sean, Pix is right. I know how easy it is to interpret things negatively when fighting depression, but I am sure the locals have adored you.

Oh, and in puppy news, the foster mom emailed to tell me that she and her sister are getting spayed today, and the vet is also taking a look at a slight limp she's had on and off these past couple of weeks. They think she may have a bb gun pellet embedded in her shoulder. WTF is wrong with people? If it's true, he'll remove it tomorrow and she'll be fine. But boy am I glad this rescue saved her from whatever hell she was in her first couple of months. Makes me want to bring her home and snuggle and snorfle her even more.

Aww, poor puppy. People suck.

When my grandmother and Iw ere on the best of Britain tour we ended up with like 2 1/2 days in London. We went to the British Musuem and spent the whole day. It was so worth it. Especially for me and to see my Grandmother geeking out about the stones and things from Bibical era.

The Rosetta Stone was a special exhibit but still dead cheap, one pound I think.

The other thing we did was the Sherlock Holmes Museum. It was close and fun. This was at the end and we didn't have that much time in London but it was still cool.

Well, except that I got us lost the first night and we had to take a cab back to the hotel.

Oh, and in puppy news, the foster mom emailed to tell me that she and her sister are getting spayed today

She... did mean the dogs, right?

I hope the shoulder heals up quickly.

Aww, poor puppy. People suck.

Chloe's tail is docked, and not cleanly. The Boy is the 4th owner to have her, so he has no idea how she lost it. Now, given her propensity for lingering in the doorway as the door closes, it's very possible a heavy door closed on it. Although if that were the case, I would think she'd be skittish in doorways and not linger.

We don't know if someone was being cruel and cut it off, or tried to dock it but did a bad job, or what. But she WILL NOT let anyone touch her nubby tail (or hindquarters in general).

And all I can think is, if someone deliberately did that to her, I'd like to get ahold of them and whip out some equitable payback.

Kato was abandoned in a ditch as a puppy, and The Boy happened to drive by and see him. He (Kato) was playing happily, so he might not have known he was being abandoned. And he's the most good-natured dog I have ever met. He would be perfect with kids, because he'd be so tolerant of them hanging on him or poking him or doing other kid stuff.

Chloe would probably eat a child.

t edit And I tell him (Kato) all the time that anyone dumb enough to abandon *him* must be in the dumb hall of fame, because he's awesome. (If I haven't already made that clear. Heh.)

It's true that Londoners aren't known for their effusiveness and friendliness.

Heh. Somewhere Pete is grumbling, and doesn't know why. (Grumbling in a completely different way than his usual grumbling, I mean.)

Sean, go to the V&A. If you want to make me really jealous, go to the fashion section and then post about it.