Friends from Home

The day ticked by rather slowly Saturday as I waited for my dear friends Reagan and Mike to arrive in London. The newly engaged couple have been planning this visit all year, and I was so very excited to finally see them. Their flight didn't arrive until 9:30 p.m., so to occupy my time Saturday, I spent the day cleaning, packing and doing odd jobs around the flat.

I got the air bed all set up for them!

I even decided to assert my independence and dye my own hair--something I've never tried to do by myself before! After carefully arranging the supplies, I got to work. My hair turned out alright, but I sort of dyed my forehead, shoulders and arms brown, too. Whoops! Good thing it washed off after a couple showers!

Finally after dinner it was time to head out to Heathrow to meet Reagan and Mike. Their flight arrived early, but they didn't turn up at arrivals for the longest time. Luckily, we all have whatsapp, and Reagan was able to text me to tell me they were stuck at baggage reclaim because the airlines lost their luggage! After a full 24-hours of travel, Reagan and Mike were both pretty exhausted but when they finally came through arrivals, both of them were still smiling!

Waiting for them to come through the arrivals doors 

Waiting, waiting, waiting, sooo excited to see them!

Finally! Mike has arrived!

And Reagan! YAY!

After a crazy taxi ride home to the flat, we chatted a bit and called it a night. But we woke up Sunday ready to go exploring. Because I'm still working this week, Reagan and Mike are on their own to explore London, so I wanted to be sure to show them around as much as I could Sunday and make sure they could use the busses and tube. We took a nice long walk along the Thames, stopping at Borough Market for a nice lunch and a few pubs along the way as well. We also walked across Tower Bridge, which I hadn't done yet but wanted to. It was a hot day, and the sunshine felt great (but so hot and sticky!). I enjoyed playing tour guide and showing off my new city to my friends.

Tower of London looking lovely with the lavender

Reagan, Mike and I in front of Tower Bridge

Walking across Tower Bridge 

Pub time!

Reagan and Mike having their first pub drink!

Borough Market--The Globe building is Bridget Jones' house 

The market was having a special Bastille Day celebration

We tried these amazing reuben sandwiches that my friend Logan told me out
after he visited the market. 

St. Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge 

This crazy busker was signing and playing the guitar
while standing in the Thames. I had to give him some
money since I felt sorry for the foot and leg fungus he's
sure to catch! 

Along the southbank with Parliament and Big Ben in the background.

London Eye in the background

Rudyard Kipling's house

Trafalgar Square

Monday morning it was back to reality for me. I made my way through the sweaty London morning air to my classroom while Reagan and Mike had a lie in before getting up to do some touring. With just a few days left at La Retraite, the time is both flying by and ticking along slowly. I feel a real mix of emotions. Having Reagan and Mike here has made me even more excited to reunite with my other friends from home. But the reality of saying goodbye to all my amazing friends here in London is just heartbreaking. I've been getting lots of well wishes and goodbye treats from my friends and students in London. It's going to hard to let them go and let go of this great life here. But I also have to remember that the life I left behind is pretty darn amazing, too.

Just a few more days of calling W12 my home. 

I'm gong to miss my sweet students, too!