Okay, so I have had an amazing start

My few days in England have been great! I will continue from where I left off. Mmmmmmmmm... The Bangers and Mash were so tasty and after dinner, Lucy and Laurie gave me a list of British food I should try so here I come!

After a day of local sights (Seven Sisters is the area of the cliffs I saw), we went to Brighton yesterday for a day in the city. We walked through the Laines and looked at the ecclectic shops and alternative lifestyle (Kristen, you would have loved it!). Then we went to the Royal Pavilion, built by King George for his escapades with the ladies and to show his wealth and superiority (or that was how I saw it!). The decor is chinese influenced and the rooms were amazing! I just walked around with my jaw open (I know, very unattractive) but it was unlike any palace I had seen. It was very cool! Then we went to the pier and walked along the waterfront. That is where I had fall #3.

Now, have I picqued your interest? I guess I should tell you more. So far, in the past three months I have fallen two times and each time has been funnier so I thought the third would be a big one. I'll let you judge.
1. In Athens - I had just arrived and was coming up from the metro to walk to my hostel. At the bottom of the escalator I see that my shoelaces were untied. Now, I have all my bags on and saw there was no place to sit so I thought "I'll just go up the escalator, sure to be very careful, and tie them when I get to the top." So I stepped on the escalator and had a brilliant idea: if I flick my foot upwards when I get to the top, the laces will move up and then I can step off and the laces will not be anywhere near the end. So, this is what I did and it would have been great except that I flicked the laces right into the escalator and got caught. I went face first right down onto the metal platform at the top (which of course makes a lot of noise) but luckily bounced right back up (adrenaline and the fact that I was well-padded by all my luggage). To make the whole situation better, there was an old man behind me who insisted at pointing out my shoelace and saying what I assume to be "Your shoelace is untied." Fall #1.
2. In Venice - I am walking along the canals with Kris in the rain and see that we are right by the Grand Canal. I of course wantto get a better look at the water and decide to carefully walk down the wet and algae-covered steps to get a better look. As I get to the bottom of the steps and close to the platform, I slip. Now, this is when I panicked and started clawing at anything available. I slid for about 3 feet and rightat the edge of the Grand Canal managing to stop. Luckily, I did not go into the depths of the Canal where I probably would have died (do you know what is in the water? Let me just say it is not healthy). I now have a beautiful green stripe down my white bag where I slid across the platform and to make the whole situation better, an old man at the top said what I believe to be "Careful, it's slippery." Fall #2.
3. Brighton pier - I am walking with Laurie and Lucy along the waterfront and am getting distracted by the conversation and the sight of the English Channel so close. As I am stepping up to get onto the beach, I slip and go headfirst into the rocky beach. I managed to break my fall and was not harmed in any way (well, maybe my ego just a bit). Now, as you can see this fall is quite ordinary compared to the first two so of course I am quite disappointed. But I have a feeling that the next one will top the rest! I will keep you posted.

So, back to my local experiences. After Brighton, we went to a local pub in Shoreham-by-sea and saw the local Morris Men dancers perform outside on the street. It was so entertaining - it is a group of men who perform traditional folk dances regularly. They spin around, twirling, waving handkerchiefs and sticks. So much fun. I even got to learn an basic dance and I was good! Then afterwards, we went into the pub and sat in on a music session in which Laurie played and sang. I really feltlike a got a good taste of local England with East Sussex flavour.

Today, I leave for Oxford for a night where a friend has offered to store some of my stuff while I travel for the next month - Thank you so much Sasha, you are a lifesaver. (Just to give you an idea, I now have 4 bags! My large backpack on my back, my daypack on my front, my white bag on one side and a shopping bag on the other. Too much stuff to get anywhere easily and in any reasonable timeframe!)

Then it is off to Bristol, Berkeley, Birmingham (the 3 B's) before I go by ferry to Ireland. The next few weeks are going to be so much fun! Talk to you all later.

Love, Lisa