Euro-Vision 2012: Paris and the UK

I've long held a grudge against Paris for serving up some less than fun experiences on a previous trip. But, being the adoring girlfriend that I am, I swallowed my grudge and booked a return trip so Timon could get some French culture. We arrived in the evening and checked into the fancy hotel recommended by my parents that boasts the world's tiniest elevator (not officially). Despite my efforts to approach the city with a fresh perspective I was floored by a rather brutal headcold and spent the first day in bed. Nevertheless, I cannot deny how stunning Paris is and how totally rad the Eiffel Tower is. The area around the hotel was dotted with beautiful buildings and cute bistros and it all felt very...French. I ate french onion soup, a croque monsieur and red wine and we visited the Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge and the Louvre (from the outside - we weren't THAT keen).

After a couple of days of this we voyaged back to the airport and flew our way to London then trained to Sheffield. We arrived at 9pm and went straight to the pub (after dropping our bags off at Freyja's Simon's house). What ensued was sloppy drunkeness and a late-night binge of Gregg's pastries and pizza. I was pretty unimpressed that what I thought was friendly small talk with a stranger resulted in him insinuating I was a fatty AND THEN another dude teased me for having red hair. But I made it out alive.

The next morning we took a quick train to Chesterfield for a roast dinner at Frannie's. I can't tell you how much I've missed roast lamb and how awesome Frannie's yorkshire puddings are - you'll need to try them for yourself. Drool. Timon spent the afternoon cuddling with Marlo the cat who refused to even look at me. We trundled back to Sheffield and onto Tabitha's house for an evening of burgers, TV and baby Cally. Over the next week we went back and forth between Sheffield and London, between Simon and Tabitha's house and were shown extreme hospitality by all. There was excellent food, excellent company and the discovery of the rather weird Limmy's Show. In London we stayed in a hotel in the east, ignoring the standard tourist traps in favour of a mega Westfield mall and a birthday party Italian feast. We explored Freyja's university and dorm and drank a wealth of cider and beer. We attended a roller derby bout and manned the baked goods stall, selling cupcakes and treats to the crowd. Our trip to the airport was horrendous as we stupidly booked the overnight megabus which was packed to the brim and insanely uncomfortable. For 3 hours.

We arrived back in New York after hours and hours of traveling and approximately 2 hours of sleep (at best). Instead of being welcomed back with open arms as I'd hoped, I got stuck at customs with a woman who had no clue what my visa entailed or what a barista was who proceeded to make me cry with her total ineptitude. We spent an hour trying to get a legitimate entry and after 3 different customs agents we were finally let through. Only 1 and a half hours on the subway, a 3 minute walk and 5 flights of stairs and we were home sweet home.