Well, we’re back in London. We arrived yesterday after quite a bit of travel. We left Venice sick of cruise ships dropping off their masses into the narrow streets of Venice. We were sick of getting out of people’s way when they were taking pictures, pushy tourists that thought the world revolved around them, and sick of pasta. We checked out of the Danieli and went and got souvenirs for Rob’s parents and walked around a bit more. Then we sat in the lobby of the Danieli before boarding the crowded vaporetto (bus boat) down the Grand Canal to the train station. After we got to the train station, we had a light lunch and cursed the kids that were running in circles around us screaming. We finally got on the train to see our tiny quarters and before hoisting my over packed luggage up on the rack, we went outside on the platform for some air and met a nice older lady from California, Joyce, who was traveling with her friend Marcy. They had a bigger compartment in First Class and we traded travel stories. We went back on the train and secured our luggage and after the train left, the steward came and asked us if we’d like a reservation in the dining car. We started our meal in the dining car at our own table, but then joined Joyce and Marcy so we could make room for some other people to have a table. I felt really bad for the people waiting to eat from the couchettes (the little sleeper seats) who didn’t have reservations. They had one waiter for the car and he wasn’t able to turn it over that quick. It took about an hour and 45 minutes for dinner. The women kept trying to tell Rob to make an honest woman out of me, as it was obvious we had a lot in common and they were happy to find out our parents each liked their children’s choice in significant other.

We arrived in Paris the next morning at Bercy station (where the Orient Express leaves from) and had to wait about 45 minutes for a taxi over to the Gare du Nord where the Eurostar to London leaves from. We tried to exchange our tickets for an earlier train since there was one that left before the one we were scheduled on and we were just sitting in a cafe having coffee and killing time. The first agent didn’t even check and just told me that I wasn’t allowed to exchange my tickets, even though I pointed out to her in the conditions saying that we were allowed an exchange. I returned to the cafe with steam rising off my forehead where I had another cappuccino and went back to speak to another Eurostar agent. This one actually checked on the computer for me (which was really all I wanted the other one to do) and informed us that the train was sold out and if we wanted to get on it, we would have to upgrade to the Premier seats which would cost us 150 Euro. I said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” and we waited it out.

I went to a newsstand to get an Internet card so we could check our e-mail on the Wi-Fi network in the station and that’s where we learned in an e-mail that Slinky had passed away. We knew that there was some news about Slinky as the vet had left a message on our voicemail, but no one was in the office to talk to until our arrival in London. We were both wrecks on the train and in the station and we got to our flat in London and Rob called and talked to the vet.

We basically just stayed in and watched TV and checked e-mail (the flat has a wireless network), and went out for dinner and some grocery shopping. We were both spent when we came back from the previous day’s traveling and the Slinky news, so we ended up watching VH1 Bands Reunited and calling it a night.

This morning, Rob is doing better and I’m OK too. We’re just now getting ready to go out and do some walking around and checking out the local record shops. We’ll update you with more soon.