The Most Stressful Week Of My Life

(Nice family photo with Big Ben)

Following my birthday my lovely family came to visit. I was pretty excited to be able to see them for my birthday, I miss my family especially since we had such a fun summer by our pool together. I was also looking forward to getting to go out to eat for a week straight to get something in my stomach besides pasta and chicken as well as do some of the more touristy things around London that I can't afford. I'm not going to lie it was a little stressful, not really the most stressful week of my life, I give that award to finals week at Central College each semester, but it was difficult for a number of reasons.

(My sister's wonderful tube manners)

1. I can't afford to go out to eat here even McDonald's drains $14 out of my bank account, so when my family asks for a good place to eat I have no idea where to take them to make them all happy.
2. Only my father had a working phone, so a lot of the time I couldn't get a hold of them.
3. Since only my dad had a phone I had to follow my lovely sister around as she went though every shop for "fashion research," for work.
4. It takes a couple of weeks to adjust to walking everywhere, the time change, and barely getting any food so my family and esp. my sister were always tired and hungry. I'll admit I was the same way too my first few weeks as well now I know how our program directors must have felt as they tried to drag us around on tours and direct meetings.
5. My sister wouldn't stop blowing spit bubbles and making funny faces and noises.

(In front of Buckingham Palace with my little sister)

They arrived on Friday October 17th bright and early in the morning, I met them at their very nice hotel in South Kensington. Richard Kiel, you may know him better as Jaws from the Bond movies or Mr. Larson from Happy Gilmore, just happened to be staying there. The 7'2'' 345 pound man just happened to be sitting in a wheelchair by the fire place in the lobby, he literally looks like a refrigerator box on wheels, Definitely the biggest guy I've seen in my life. I would've tried to get a picture of him, I'm sure he would have obliged but oh man is he intimidating.
Anyways my family couldn't check in until noon so we had a couple of hours to kill, so I took them to our hotel showed them my room and such then walked them down 2 blocks to Buckingham Palace. We spent so time there and took so lovely photos, before heading back to the hotel, my family was in need of a nap and a shower, I knew exactly how they felt.
That night Jordan and I took them to the most legit pub I've seen since I've been to London, Ye Ole' Cheshire Cheese. The Place is almost nearly all underground in cellars, it has about 3 different basement floors as well as serves its own unique brews. We all got real pub food, the boys ordered bangers and mash, while my mom ordered fish and chips. My sister ordered Mac and Cheese because she is 8 years old. Following dinner we went on a nice little pub crawl visiting each of the busy pubs also on the street.

(Polished off pub food.)

The next day we went to the famous Famous Portabello Road market in Knotting Hill. I figured my sister and mom would love it since its full of antiques, crafts, silver, and all that crap, but they didn't much to my disappointment. Maybe they were too tired I don't know.

(Entering the Gaytrix at Knotting Hill market)

That night we went to what was supposed to be a nice Italian restaurant called Bertorelli, in London near Soho. It turns out the place sucked. The waiter was rude and even tried to add a whole bunch of crap we didn't order on to our bill. I should have checked the ratings online before going because it looks like a lot a people were hating on this place. Bottom line is when traveling don't trust advertisements or books to find a good restaurants, as they probably paid for a good review, go online!

(A view for our pub eating a traditional English breakfast)

(They both very photogenic)
The next we walked around Westminster and just had to settle with taking photos pretty much everything was closed since it was a Sunday. After that we rode on the London eye, which being my 2nd time was kinda boring. If I had the chance to do it again I would definitely rather go at night to see all the city lights.

(On the London Eye)(My parents)

Once we landed we walked down along the Thames and enjoyed some street entertainers such as statue impersonators and break dancers. Strange people they are all, I don't understand what has to happen in your life to make you decide bathing yourself in paint and standing on a block all day sound like a good idea.

We also took the famous double-decker bus tour that everyone has to do in London. The weather wasn't the greatest but the tour was nice. I had always wanted to do one so I'm glad I got the chance with my family and my lovely sister by my side.

(She always wanted to be the little ballerina in the snow globe)

The rest of the trip not a whole lot happened besides dinner and shopping. I have class Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon as well as work all day weds and Thurs. My family went off on their own and did their own touristy things, I'll leave them to tell anyone about it. One night though we did finally celebrate my Birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe in London, I guess it was the first Hard Rock Cafe to open which was pretty cool. My sister got me some nice speedo hot pants to wear on the European beaches, I'll be rocking them by the pool don't worry. My parents got be a nice coat from Zara and well as some items from Superdry here in London, probably my favorite store. I got the full treatment at Hard Rock everyone sang for me and I even got Ice Cream and a big ole' steak.

(Birthday Boy)

(Eating the Indian Food with some delicious Cobra Beer)

On our last night my family and I all went out to get some authentic Indian food. Jordan and Zach came along as well. We got an awesome little waiter who walked us all through the menu, made recommendations, and explained any questions we had. We had a full meal with all sorts of appetizers and curries. The food was good my my body definitely did not know how to handle it. I remember waking up about 5 times though the night for no reason as well as feeling like throwing up in the morning.

(We get along great most of the time)

On my family's last day I had to work so I didn't get to spend much time with them but I was able to drive over and meet them for lunch before their flight to say goodbye. Overall I had a great time with my family. I was glad they were able to make the trip and I had the opportunity to show them around a bit. So thanks mom and dad for making my trip possible as well as yours. I can't wait to come back home to you all and to my nice bed and some home cooking when I get back.

(The wonderful Miller family)
Oh and I do love my sister.