Like I said before, I need a vacation. I just finished working for 4 consecutive months in Alaska.  And although I was surrounded by breathtaking scenery and eating five-star meals prepared by a professional chef all week, at the end of the day it was still hard work and after 4 months of that, it was a job just like yours... only better because I'm finished with mine and you're still sitting at work reading this when you should be working!. So once again, everything I own is in my backpack and I'm off ... the walkabout continues.

Welcome to one of the world's most expensive cities; London . My flight from New York on a 747 was a world apart from zooming around Alaska in float planes. Instead of hearing protection and wet waders, it was Heineken and headphones to watch the movie of my choice. And upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, you'll never guess who was there to greet me.... it was recently unemployed Tony Blair himself and his pal George W. to ceremoniously bend me over and screw me at the money exchange counter repeatedly. Thanks, George W, for making the American dollar worth less than a sheet of British toilet paper.

After recovering from that, I found London to be an awesome city. I was able to meet up with a friend I met while traveling in Argentina and also have some beers with a guy who was reading this very travel blog while doing research for his trip to South America. He e-mailed me and said if I'm ever in London to give him a shout. He was shocked to learn I was just a few underground tube stations away. We met up in a pub downtown and in exchange for my infinite wisdom and knowledge of backpacking in Latin America, he kept the beers coming . Have fun in South America, Mike. I hope all my advice helps out!   I am still amazed at how many e-mails I get from random strangers that stumbled past this website.

And finally, I've put together my Top 5 Reasons why I love England.... they are:
5.) The Language Barrier.... Apparently, I don't speak English, I speak American.
4.) English Food... Actually, the English can't cook and they're famous for it...they've chosen their national dish to be a spicy Chicken Curry from India... good choice though!
3.) Talkative, Friendly Locals... you are considered a freak if you try starting up a chat with a stranger on the Tube or the bus. Keep quiet and definitely don't talk to the bus driver... he doesn't give a shit where you want to go anyway.
2.) I Can Shoot a Gun Better than the Cops ... the police don't carry guns here. What are they thinking?   

And finally, the NUMBER ONE reason why I love England.....
1.)  Developing 3rd World Nations are fun and cheap to travel in !!!!!!