A day at the palace

I never thought that I would experience today. At the age of 18 I decided to not finish my Duke of Edinburgh even though I had finished the skill, service, physical and residential sections. I just couldn't do the expedition. I hated them, I had a real phobia of walking. However, at the age of 22 I met Rachael Cooper at the Environment Agency. A couple of years down th line, I have finished the expedition part by doing an exploration (less walking and more exploring and doing a project) and I was invited to the palace. The Equerry in waiting was desired by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh. Honest to god, that is what it said on the invitation. Well, that's how I read it anyway.

Mum and I took the train to London in our 'afternoon dress' with optional hats but 'all' the ladies where them. Not us. Where would you take your mum in London??? Well, I took mum to soho, the red light district of London. We ate in Chinatown, had a drink in the oldest village inn in London and then it was time to go into the palace.

We were separated from our guests in a huge red room with some grand piccies of kings. Mum did a great job of almost tripping up HRH (that's really what he was called by the officials) by leaving my handbag strap in his way which caused laughter by the whole group...we never blend in. HRH spoke to our group and Rachael explained about her mamouth trip to Kenya. He really isn't renowned for his conversation but we did find it strange when he questioned Rachael on getting out of Kenya...supposidly alive...very odd. He was then confused when somebody explained about their alpine plant migration and he explained how it sounded like the plants were walking...hmmm....maybe all Phil's are like this :)

Lloyd Scott presented us with our award certificates as the Duke only had a few minutes with each group. We had a piccie and as I'm giant like (or Lion proof by default as LM so kindly states), I'm usually at the back but oh no, today I was sat next to Lloyd in the group piccie on a seat that would be too small for a brownie. Lloyd gave a great speech on his adventures (he did the London marathon in a diving suit, rode a penny farthing across Australia and is next doing the marathon in armour carrying a 200lb dragon.

We had a great day, unfortunately dad couldn't attend too becuase of the limit of one adult. My sincere thanks to Rachael for that kick up the bum to finish and to Paula for believing that I could do it even though I had doubts.

Everlasting day

Up very very early and had breakfast on the porch. The choice was Chilantro (Coriander) chicken, pineapple, cereal, soya milk, yoghurt or banana. We skipped the chicken. We sat on the decking but alas, time to leave. I've never considered missing a flight before but it was very very tempting. I kind of wish I had when I got to the airport. The everlasting journey home consisted of delayed flights by thunderstorms, a very very bumpy flight, my bag being completely ripped apart with my belongings fallen out on the carousel and presents missing. I'm back home and suffering from the worse jet lag I've ever had. I went to work today at 3am American time and actually was perfectly awake at 2pm English time (8am American time). I don't know when to wake up, when to eat and when to sleep but it was all worth it. On the trip I said that I don't want to travel for a while, maybe I will take this comment back ;)

Go cow, go horse!

A very very early start for people who went to bed at 2am. We had to drop off the car at the airport, our almost black car but more grey now. We took the bus into town and then the metrorail to Reliant Park for the Rodeo. I honestly didn't know that cowboys existed. For the second day in a row, we really didn't blend in. Yesterday we were green, today we weren't in jeans, check shirt and cowboy hat. There were thousands and thousands of cow boys and cow girls. We saw a cow being milked and tried to get to the open rabbit breeding (whatever that entails) but alas, we missed it when we got side tracked by sitting in the big trucks.
The rodeo was in the very very large reliant stadium and even though we had standing tickets, we sat down for the entire show, it just involved moving every so often. So a Hungarian and Brit stood for the American National Anthem, sponsored by Coca Cola and a Houston Company. There were fireworks, a flag and an opera singer.

We watched bucking horses, cows, steer wresting and cows necks and feet being yanked all over the place. It was actually quite horrific and disturbing how its considered a sport. We cheered the horse and cow when they got away, I don't think we understood the point of rodeo. While everybody around us had hot dogs and nacho's we has caramelised ginger and wasabi nuts…I lost 5lbs this holiday, I need to visit again ;)

In the evening we went to the Linguistics Department BBQ and I was invited to Toronto University by a professor. Oh well, at Cardiff University I attended the linguistics conference, I was given chocolate for finishing a linguistics thesis that I didn't write, I've seen Szeged university and now invited to Toronto university.

'Where are you from'?

Breakfast consisted of cereal, soya milk, Hungarian Sausage under a gazebo in the RV park before driving into San Antonio. Our first stop were the four missions, Jose, Estrada, Juan and Concepcion. All fantastic buildings with very helpful volunteers like John who took us under his wing and did the normal 'so where are you from'?…England, Hungary and Portugal ;)

We visited La Vilitia (please don't ask how its pronounced, I struggle with English words). The number of people dressed in green was quite disturbing, they were everywhere because it was St Patricks day. Although I'm not Irish myself I really wanted to survey people and ask what Irish connections they have.

We walked the river walk to the Alamo, the tourist honeypot of San Antonio and a tonne of information. We sat on the side of the river walk observing the differences between Americans and Europeans. Jo made a 'friend' who just appeared next to her. It was a hard hard drive back to Houston and a well earned sleep for a few hours.

On the road again

Why are American campsites so big? You can easily get 8/9 tents on each campground. Lucky for us, campground number 3 for free. As I was walking back from the bathroom the ranger was looking at our car so I kept walking but she caught me on the way back. When asked if I knew the owners I said 'yes I know them and they gave me the keys to the car so I will move it for them'. She asked if they knew the people already on the pitch and my answer….'yes'. I get 'yes' and 'no' mixed up sometimes :)

We drove to the Chimneys and I dropped off the kiddy winks to go and play in the desert while I got lost driving on my own for a few hours. The intention was to spend time in the ghost town but after my journey I had little time. I met David in a shop covered in Tibetan prayer flags. A kind man who interested me greatly with stories of where he lives, his job, his wife's job and life by the park.

Back to the Chimneys to pick up Vica and Jo and off for a 6 hour drive to San Antonio listening to country music on route because it’s the only station available. We decided to stop at an RV park where our options to camp were limited to the 'pet potty', by an electricity pylon or a small stretch of grass in front of someone's RV. We can be quite cheeky at times because we managed to get into the showers through the doorcode by asking someone. Our first shower since last Sunday was heaven. However, Americans need to seriously consider the height of their toilet and shower doors.

'Special'

Today we had the tent down in record time to get to Chisos early for a full day of hiking. Jo and I walked the Basin trail and Window. All downhill through an empty river bed with waterfalls to a pour off. For somebody who is scared of heights, I don't know what possessed me to slide down to the bowl on the lip of the 200ft drop. However, it gave a great view over the park and involved a very interesting way of actually getting out of the bowl.

Vica hiked the South Rim, Emery Peak and the Window (3 days hikes in one day) 'special'. While we waited for super woman to arrived we sat next to a man who felt the need to tell us about his 'wind' problem. Jo and Vica did the window view while I sat in the basin people watching and trying to work out how to call the campsite. Why don't phones have instructions on them?
Bath time in the hot springs again with a group of spring breakers.

Curry by moonlight

The day started with the usual discussion as to who will drive. I never thought that I would be arguing who drives with somebody that has only driven a few times in her life. So Vica drove to the Chisos Mountains in the centre of the park and we hiked the Lost Mine Trail. This has to be one of the most enjoyable hikes with a good group of people to chat to on the way up. We did enjoy the sign on mountain lions, if you see a lion you have to 'act large'.

'We' drove the scenic Ross Maxwell drive to Sanata Elena Canyon passing old volcanoes, a stunning view of Chisos, canyons and desert. The view of Vica's back was a regular occurrence of mine and Jo's on the trip and the trek to Santa Elena canyon was no different.

There was a weird theme on who drives when, Vica in the daytime doing the scenic routes and Keela at nightime in the dark. We raced back to Rio Grande Village and yet again blagged a place to stay. Vica and I went for a bath in the hot springs under another full moon and clear skies while Jo was invited to join the 'spring breakers' we were sharing a campground with. Curry for dinner, this time at 11pm by moonlight.

'No thank you'

You know you are in American when you drive to the shower. Brekkie of cereal and soy milk and off we were to discover Big Bend National Park. Our first trek was to the Hot Springs on the clearly marked paths. If only it was so easy but wading through cacti and pricklies up a dry river bed was also fun. Anybody who read Cornwall will know that Vica and Pricklies go hand in hand ;)

The next trek was to a water hole. However, to get there we had to take out shiny black car across a 4 wheel drive track for over half and hour. In blazing heat we walked up to a ridge which gave us a great view over the desert but alas, no water hole was found. Next time we are coming by jeep (2 jeeps cos I want to drive and so does Vica, wonder who will win….)

Next stop was to Boquillas Canyon and running down sand dunes. By the way, never go downwind when Vica is running down a sand dune. 4 attempts later, we had it on camera. Overnight 'we' negotiated staying on someone else's campgound and walked up to the top of a hill for a gorgeous sunset.

We then had the choice of a shower or going to the hot springs for a bath, guess what we picked. We sat in the warm water, looking up to the stars under a full moon with the Rio Grande behind is and a few meters from Mexico.

Dinner consisted of cold curry from a pouch and pineapple. Ever the Brit, when asked if I would like pineapple and I said no, Vica said 'no what' and my response 'no thank you'. It was an automatic response, I didn't know she didn't know what I was saying no for, I thought she was just reminding me of my manners :)

Where are my sandals?

A very early start as Jo was waiting for us at 6am to drive to Big Bend National Park, if only. Instead we had a morning of more sari and sheet wearing. Finally we were able to pick up the bag from a gas station in downtown.

At home Vica asked me the question as to whether I had seen her sandals, nope. She had took them off at the garage and left them on the garage forecourt! When we went back they were still in the same place :)

10 hours later, one dead rabbit and one moose laid dead in the middle of the road, one creepy gas station in the middle of no where, we arrived at Big Bend and camped in the desert. Putting up the tent at home was too easy, why not do it by moonlight in the desert!

No luggage!!!!!

I never want to repeat this day again. I only had a few hours sleep after staying up most of the night with stomach cramps. Amanda drove me to the airport but unfortunately the check in had closed. However, I could still get on the flight but my luggage couldn't. So my luggage was going to follow me.

So off I ran to get on the flight to Houston. At Houston airport I totally ignored Vica stood right in front of me and fun number 2 started - Trying to get a rental car. The price went from $400 to $800 in the space of a day. All while trying not to throw up, it was sorted.

Vica drove us to Hillcrest, the Indian part of Houston where we bought supplies for the camping trip and ate a gorgeous buffet lunch.

Do you have playing cards?

Never ever eat alligator before flying somewhere. I ended up sleeping for all of 3 hours before speeding to the airport. Unfortunately after I jumped the queue I was told that check in had closed. I could possibly get on the plane if I ran but my luggage would follow. After spending a week in AC, the day I wanted AC there was none! I spent the entire flight holding the sick bag in my hands. One tip, only put sugar in coke to take the fix out if its in a cup. If its in a can it will explode. Oh I was having a good day.

I'm not known for my observation skills but it actually took Vica to stand in front of me before I recognised her. If only things had got better from this point but no. The car rental price had doubled in the space of 24 hours. However, we did have a fantastic Indian lunch at Hillcroft where we bought our camping food (15 Indian dinners, what else J ).

Then followed the waiting game. My bag still hadn't arrived and I was wearing the warmest things I owned in sweltering heat. Try to imagine two opposite people and double it, that’s Vica and I. I would need a few of her size 8 clothes just to cover a leg so we had to come up with possibilities of attire. My day clothes was a sari and my evening wear was a sheet.
We had a tour around Rice University. They have their own cinema, shuttle bus, sports stadium and police! Worcester University is the same size as Rice's library alone!

At home in Sari Vica achieved the impossible and fed me salmon for dinner. I even went back for seconds. This is the girl that was vegetarian before 2 years ago when we met, turned her nose at fruit soup, soy milk, sausage and wouldn't touch fish with a barge pole. Strange influence LM (btw, as I type I'm eating oatmeal made with soy milk and museli thrown in :P).

So, in my sheet I had the intention of a good night's sleep. The mosquito's thought otherwise. I wonder if you have ever thought of furniture that you can wear, well we had too. Vica's suggestions were a coat, curtain and sofa bed, ummm. Before bed she came out with 'do you have playing cards'. I was wearing her furniture without knowing if/ when my luggage would arrive but course I have cards J

4 Jamaican's and an Alligator Tail

What a day, Andrew and Amanda kindly took the day off and we went to the Everglades. Its been a childhood dream of mine to go through the everglades on an Air Boat like the scene from 'Only Fools and Horses' and we did it. It was just as I imagined it to be, incredibly flat, reeds, sprawling with wildlife and fast airboats.

We arrived early at the Billie Swamp Safari so went around the mini zoo first looking at the Alligators eating raw chicken. I know my vegetarianism sways depending on what country I'm in but seeing an Alligator eat raw chicken, ummm. There were 8 of us on the airboat, the first challenge was to get the ear plugs in my ears. For such a big person, I have very small ears so this was no small feat. The worst bit was when they expanded in my ears. :(

We sped around the swamp looking at Alligators and wildlife with our guide who did his best. We should have known at the start when he asked where we lived and answered by saying the capital city. "ah, Canada, capital Ottawa", ah, you four are from Jamaica, capital Kingston" Today I was Jamaican. I really should have said I'm from Burkina Faso. (Portsmouth - I do hope you remember the capital Ouagadougou)

For lunch we had Gator tail, seriously tastes like chewy chicken covered in batter. We drove back to Miami and I swam in the pool in the sunshine. I really really love it here and sad to leave. They say that time goes fast when you are having fun, this had gone by the speed of light.

Nippy :)

Only I would pick the only cloudy, windy day for a beach day. Nippy wasn't the word. In the morning I did an art deco walking tour with an audio handset so its pretty much $15 to walk yourself around. The tour was very good and took me through the different styles of art deco and on a very long walk to 1/5 hours.

I really wanted to have a drink in a cafe on ocean drive, my drink turned into 2 drinks, breakfast and dessert. French toast with cinnamon and sugar and key lime pie in an Irish pub.

As my friends know, I'm not a big shopper but I am when shoes fit me. Two new pairs of shoes down the line, I finished shopping on Lincoln Road.

The afternoon was spend on a very windy beach reading my book. I even managed to flash some people due to the wind (as my Tunisian friends know, this is quite common for me ;))

Talk to the tourist

We managed to detach myself from South Beach and I spent the day at a Renaissance villa and planetarium. Vizcaya Villa was only build in 1914-16 but the exterior and interior is so diverse with Renaissance, classical and rococo pieces that it sends your mind off in all manner of directions, still remembering that it is only from 1914. The building, furniture, stone barge that acts like a breakwater and the gardens are all quite amazing. Again, I had to leave the building because I was too cold and had to stand in the sun to warm up.

Question for today, why are toilet doors so high in America? A woman actually came into the toilet and to check they were used, looked under the doors at the legs :(

Question number 2, why do people where shorts, socks and trainers? Its obviously hot so why the socks and trainers?

I have now sussed the eating thing, order 2 side orders and its enough so for lunch I had mac and cheese and a bagel. The next stop was to the Science museum and planetarium. Unfortunately they were between exhibitions so I only got to see the shows, wildlife and planetarium. Although very interesting, I did have a show on electricity just for me. I was sat in a big auditorium with just the speaker. But I do know more about electricity now :)

I know I'm odd at times but I enjoy things that tourists find annoying, one being that I like to work out how public transport works. In a city where public transport is an oddity, I wanted to use it. After a hike to an overpass because I wasn't going to cross a 6 lane road, through an overgrown sidewalk, then no sidewalk, I got to the metrorail. Then the fun of buying the ticket, going i the right directions started. I changed onto the metromover which is a free monorail around downtown. I had to go around twice because the first time I was chatted to constantly by a very interesting homeless guy. I got off to get away, got on another and met another homeless guy, got off, go on another. 2.5 times around the monorail and then thought it was time to get off. Its a good way to see downtown though. I spent a couple of hours at Bayside shopping and then back home.

Girl between two flags :)

I really couldn't live in this country - waffles, maple syrup, peanut butter, goldfish crackers ahhh. The day started with a walk through the surf on a deserted South Beach to South Pointe. Why the 'e' on the end? My first stop was to the Jewish museum, housed in an old synagogue. Very interesting tour of life for the Florida Jews but slightly unnerving when I had to go through a metal detector to get in the building. Why? The whole way around the tour the guide was saying 'us', 'we' so I was Jewish for the tour, hoping that she wouldn't ask me a question. I left pretty sharpish due to the arctic weather inside. Two things i will never understand, 1) the need for so much air conditioning, 2) ice in drinks!

Lunch was at Subway. I remember the first time I visited subway in the US and how it scared me with the number of choices I had to make, just for a sandwich. Now I'm an experienced subwayer, it was a synch (I have the lingo down:)).

I walked up Ocean Drive passing the multiple cafe's to the Versace building when he was shot. Time for the beach and I just happened to go into the section between the two rainbow flags. So what do I do? Sit in the middle, feet in the surf, covered in long skirt, long shirt, hat, shun glasses while surrounded by semi naked men.

I had an adventure on the bus. The first was figuring out what bus to take, then how do I pay and then how do I ring the bell? The conductor asked if I'm on Spring Break, it was just easier to say yes when I saw the people on the bus, all over 65. Me thinks that young people don't use the bus.

Parrot Jungle Island was the next stop. A very large park with so many brightly coloured parrots, endangered species and other birds. I did that silly thing again, volunteer without thinking of what I was doing. 4 parrots on my shoulders, one in my arms later, then I was scared. One parrot was so attached to the button on the top of my hat that he decided to keep it, I'm not buttonless.

I don't know why but I really love going to the supermarket when on holiday so going to the store was a treat, especially when I found peanut butter M&M's and goldfish crackers :)

Rainbow's :)

What a start to the day, waffles with maple syrup and peanut butter on toast. This breakfast may be repeated a few more times over the trip. Andrew dropped me off on South Beach after we drive down Ocean Drive. The first plan of attack was to put my feet in the ocean so shoes off, over powdery white sand and into the turquoise blue sea. Heaven.

I joined a duck tour, an amphibious vehicle that drives on the road and goes in the sea. We passed many millionaires houses on Star Island, the most expensive belonging to the doctor of a pharmaceutical company, the house is worth $50 million. The art deco style of South beach with its pastel colours and shelves windows is quite unique. No matter what the building, it has to be art deco.

After 90 minutes of sitting down I had the ridiculous thought that I wanted to walk in the midday sun. So don't be fooled by distance in the US, its a very very very long way between blocks. I eventually got to the Holocaust memorial. For the third time in a year I have got goose pimples from such atrocities. Auschwitz, Berlin and now Miami is quite humbling to say the least. The sculptures are amazing but the pictures are more explicit than Auschwitz.

I decided to have Cuban food for lunch at David's cafe. Rice and pea, spicy chicken, fish and watermelon. What mad it Cuban, I'm not sure. I did have coke with my ice though. Why do we need so much ice in the cup????

After lunch I thought it was time to burn some calories, I didn't get far before I ate the biggest ice-cream of my life. A double scoop Cookie dough and butter pecan chocolate dipped waffle cone. It took me 20 minutes to eat as I walked through the residential district to Spanish village.

Time to relax, and what better place than South beach with its cool breeze and warm sun on my back while watching the passers by. What did amuse me were the beach flags. Like the flags that say that you can swim or not, there were two rainbow flags and in between, the highest density of gay men I've seen outside Brighton Pride.

South Beach impressed me so much than I'm going back tomorrow. By the way, if you want to know where Santa is after Christmas, he is on South Beach under a tree and rides a bike. I kid you not, full Santa suit and hat. The man dressed in a pink cat suit coming out of the ladies toilets confused me enough to almost go into the men's :)

Eccentricity

I did an incredible job in catching up with sleep in my very high bed. Its so high that I have to climb up into it, I can't just sit on it. My feet won't touch the floor so I kind of have to slip off :)

Our morning trip was to the Asian Culture Festival, an annual festival with great food and stalls. There really was every type of food you could want for. We opted for the pad thai and egg roll (spring roll). There were stalls from each of the Asian countries and a drum show under the glorious sunshine. I tried jasmine coconut milk from a cut coconut which was bizarre and very refreshing. And bubble tea, a cold jasmine tea with jelly beads in the bottom.

In the afternoon we visited Coral Castle, built by an Latvia Eccentric who devoted the castle to his jilted bride. He was all of 5 ft tall and 100 lbs but used Egyptian techniques to cut the coral and move it. Its really quite amazing with tables, chairs, heart shaped tables, bath tub, bowls all in stone. However, he led a very simple like in the covered bit of the castle which had a swing in his room!

I'm about to be called for dinner, Jamaican chicken, rice and peas, yumm :)

Women on planes :)

Why did people think it was odd that by 10pm the day before my trip, I wasn't packed yet? I finished packing at 1am and then got up at 3.30am because I was just too excited to sleep. At 5am I was on the bus to Heathrow but didn't see one part of the journey through sleeping. Heathrow was on high alert which is quite disconcerting when getting on a flight so it took an hour to get through security without shoes and belt.

I have some strange phobia's, one of which is a phobia of sitting in between people and where was I sat? In the middle of a row of 5! Luckily I asked to be moved and somebody was looking down on me. I was sat next to the smallest woman in the world! Rosa from Guatemala wanted to talk to me for the entire 10 hours, held my arm when going up the escalator and I stupidly volunteered to help her with her bag that must have weighed more than her! The flight was pretty uneventful apart from a few wonderings of why you always get chicken or beef on flights, why do the airline crew call me maam when I'm not in the military and how can anybody join the mile high club in such a small toilet! I only ever use the toilet on planes for emergencies only (10 hour flight constitutes emergency). Also, did you know that its US regulations to stand up on planes? US regulations to not have your seat belt on, US regulations to use electronic equipment, US regulations to not smoke in the toilets....US regulations.

At US immigration I was given the wrong customs form and spend a long time with the security guy working out what it said. What an entrance.

I met Andrew, Amanda and Chloe at the exit, it was so good to see them again an the years just dropped away. We drove through some very very nice neighborhoods to their home where I spent 12 hours sleeping :)