12th March, Coming home…

What can I say?! It has been an unbeleivable year, everytime I think about what I have done seems overwhelming. Went skating in Central park for 3 hours – I need to remind myself where I am sometimes but its all drawing to a conclusion….

Couldn’t resist this one…

Central park ice skating…

“So where are we exactly?”

“The world’s gone upside down.”

We Checked out were John Lennon was shot and this is the memorial at strawberry fields central park.

I can’t beleive how quick the time has past and that practically a year ago I had no prpper planning with no clue about any of this. I am surprised I have managed to make it all the way through with all my plans followed and more. I had no idea I would make it to the states let alone cancun or disney land which was a good ‘off the cuff’ decision and I’ve had a ball. Now I have to think of getting back to the UK and sorting my life out and getting the bank balance up to speed.  I still don’t think I am fully ready but I have a flight to LA tommorow from new york (all the way from the East to West side) and one more day to see some sights but I really think I am ready to get back. I am looking forward to my own bed, some home cooking and seeing everybody again. No real Idea about were I am going to settle for a bit, looking at London (i feel just about ready to tackle the big cities now!) but who knows, might look at bristol again maybe abroad…

Favourite places have got to be shanghai and Sydney just for the fun, diversity of people and all the people I have met there. But generally all the places have been great, but I guess the biggest diference to anyplace has to be the people you meet there as that can really make a difference to having a really good time or a mediocre walk round and see the sights on your lonesome which is good now and then but I really do prefer the company of people.

Top things to do are still the classics, the great wall (and tobogan down!) that moutain trek in Xian, campfire songs in the middle of the jungle and sleeping under the stars in north thailand. Tthat full moon party (Mellow mountain bar on the left – people who have been there know what I mean). Also cycling round the chaotic streets that is shanghai were its everyman for themselves on that road, and one of the best things is getting some seriously cheap dumplings off street vendors at 11pm and trying to make conversation with someone who doesn’t speak any english and you don’t speak any mandarin. Walking aimlessly in the cities finding little places of interest, having a coffee/beer, trying to work out where you are on a map and people watching. The list goes on….

When of the best things you have to develop is talking to complete randoms – you can’t be shy in this game. Or you can if you like the company of yourself for days on end. One girl I chatted to said she started barking like a dog in her room just because she hadn’t spoken to any body for like 4/5 days… Made some good friends, and met a lot of people residing in London so I plan on catching up with a few and few around england.

So right now I am psyching myself up for the next flight to LA which quite frankly I’d rather just go straight back. Who knows I might be partying with a Celeb tommorow night… But I doubt it.