Why yes, my dog's name is London, that's why he's so awesome

If my last name were London (as in Collin Blake London), then I'm pretty sure I would become even more indestructible... although, I'm pretty sure I would become terribly expensive at the same time. The amazingness of this city is that you love her even though she took all your money.

We had a great London experience... we had great weather, saw all the sights, hopped on an off the open-top tour buses, and stayed in a very questionable hostel. This was our first experience with the 12-person dorm style hostel room: strange, hairy people coming in and out of the room all night and getting into the bed that's four inches from yours and only separated by a 1/2 inch plywood partition that runs half the length of the bed... awesome. If you wanted to shower, you go out into the hall and find one of the closets they had converted to shower stalls, and if you need a towel, you can get one for free at the front desk (in exchange for one pound).

For the rest of our trip, you'll have to sit through another video. If you've enjoyed watching our videos and would like to give a little something to the cause, we are accepting donations in the form of Jiffy Cornbread Mix.

Also, please leave comments... we love reading them.

Christmas list

Dear Santa,

We haven't been too naughty this year and I know we are a long way from home, but I'm sure your reindeer can make it to the United Kingdom, seeing as how they can fly and all. This year my wish list might be a little different. Here's a preview:

1. A jar (or 10) of salsa. Texas style. Like they make at On the Border or El Chico.
2. Cornbread mix. Yep, a box of Jiffy. Or even just some cornmeal so I can make my own homemade cornbread. Our stew today will just not be the same...
3. Cholula, for the sake of all things holy and Collin's happiness

I'm sure there are other, more important things to ask for... like world peace. But to keep the peace around the top flat, these things would really help.

We're back!

We made it back on Friday, and I'm sure all of you have been checking everyday wondering, "when are the Bullard's going to post again." Well... here it is, folks.

Before we get to the video goodness, we'd like to thank a few people for making our journey a little more special. First, to the random lady in Cauterets, France, who did not assume we were trying to break into a closed hotel when she passed by us trying to break into a closed hotel. We had forgotten the 4-digit code for the door that the owner gave us so that we would be able to get in on the day they were closed (I think we missed that bit during check-in, since we don't speak French). Anyway, random lady has all the hotel owners on speed dial, so viola! (they really do say this), the door was open in minutes. I was greatly relieved, but also a little disappointed at my failed attempt to break in using only my shoelace, a key, a small stick, and a bumper sticker sized plastic sign. Some people may think I'm joking about that last part... those people don't know me very well.

Secondly, I'd personally like to thank French mama for giving the best full-body massage in the history of post-revolution France (I hear the pre-revolution massages were out-of-this-world). I sincerely hope we meet again, French mama.

Third, we should probably thank the guy at the front desk of our hotel in Paris.
GAFD (guy at front desk): "Oh, I see the reservation... Bullard... that will be 600 Euro."
Me: "No, no... NOOOOO!!!!"
GAFD: "Ummm... okay, you pay 2 Euro."
Me: "Merci"

And finally, I'd like to thank the owner of the Bois Joli Brasserie in France for recommending that I order his special omelette: fried potatoes and onions in a fluffy, but kinda crispy, egg housing. I fell in love that night... and then I devoured the object of my love.

Now that we've finished our whole trip, the plan for the videos is to backtrack a little bit to where we last left off. I believe when you last saw us, we were in the lake district at a barn... so here is day 2 in the lake district. Enjoy!

Italy or bust

I must warn zou, I am tzping on a Swiss kezboard and dont have much time left on the internet, so this will be full of mistakes that I dont plan on correcting. :)

We survived the barn and the hike up the Old Man and decided to rest up for a daz in Cambridge. We did some laundrz, Collin and I got our bank account set up, and we rested our wearz legs. We decided to do some traveling before the school term starts so we bought a rail pass and booked a few cheap hostels and we were off. We spent a few dazs in London and did most of the touristz things: Big Ben, Tower of London, Hzde Park, and attended a service at Westminster Abbez. We ate at a great tapas restaurant in South Kensington for Candice's birthday (yea! happy twenty sixth bear!)... at the restaurant, we met a half-French Italian serving tapas in a Spanish restaurant in London who happened to think that bull-riding was awesome, Justin McBride was a legend, and the movie 8 Seconds was a classic. He was so excited that we were from Oklahoma, he started asking us if we had seen 8 Seconds! Hilarious! (He even offered to give Candice a copy for her birthdaz).

Next, we took the train to Paris. We were true tourists, checking out the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc d'Triumphe, the Bastille, and the Seine River-- all in one daz! Our old friend from Bazlor, Cole Casper, now lives in Paris, and we were so happz to see him! We went to a great Creperie and dinner together and then Cole showed us the best place to see the Eiffel Tower at night!

Now we are in Interlaken, Swityerland and loving the beautiful Alps! Todaz we went canyoning- which consists of making our waz down a river in a canzon by climbing, jumping, sliding, or repelling down through rocks and waterfalls. It was beautiful and the water was freeying! What an experience. Sadlz, we dont have anz pictures of the canzoning adventure... however, we are going paragliding tomorrow, and we should have plentz of pictures to show of that. We are going to be here a few more dazs and then we are off to Italz (I think).

We will post some pictures on Facebook or here when we can... this computer cant handle all the demands we are making of it right now. :)

Peace and grace to zou all. Love.

The Lake District

So we decided to go to the lake district while we still had a car for a couple of days... to say the least, it was an adventure. I must warn you, the following video features very real moments of panic, wonderment, hilarity, and awesomeness. Please excuse the sometimes juvenile nature of our humor.

A Day for Punting

Here's a look at my college, Darwin College. In America, we sometimes use the word 'college' to refer to a specific institution (i.e. Wheaton College); and at other times, the word college refers to a division of a university (i.e. college of arts and sciences). However, a 'college' at Cambridge is simply a residential community (there's a bit more to it, but you get the idea).

Also, we decided to go punting since it was such a lovely day... so there's a lot of video from our punt down the river. Enjoy!

Selwyn Gardens

Here's a quick look at our neighborhood :). More videos to come.

Things you don’t think about

So here’s something you just don’t think about before you leave home… your wallet is too small. As you can see in the picture, the pound notes (aka: dolla billz) are much fatter and shorter than American money, so if you want to carry around cash and not look like a tourist: get a bigger wallet!

Arrival Day!

Here are a few pictures from our arrival day (yesterday), and from our flat windows. Enjoy!

No Keys

3 September, 2009 – Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport

Think about what's on your key ring right now. You probably have a house key/apt. key, maybe an office key, car key (two car keys?), keyless entry 'clicker,' desk key, parents'/friends' house key, church key, bike lock key, storage shed key, and the all-important padlock key to open your shotgun and nunchuck case. There's also the obligatory little trinket with a bible verse engraved on it or something really cheesy (I mean… cool) like that.

I'm sitting in the airport right now, strangely aware that I don't have any keys in my pocket. I always have keys in my pocket… no matter where I go, that's where I keep them. Whenever they're not there, my mind immediately starts to race about where I put my keys. Did I put them in Candice's purse? The secret chamber in my spy shoes? Sometimes when I travel I put them in my backpack, maybe they're in there… then I realize… I don't have any keys. I don't have a house, car, office, desk, church, bike lock, storage shed, or gun case padlock key. Not one. I'm helpless to open anything except a cold Dr. Pepper (with a key, that is… with my spy training, I don't really need keys to open doors).

It's weird to think about what this symbolizes: keys are what people use to lock up their stuff. When you don't have any stuff; you don't need any keys. And right now… all (most) of our stuff is packed in four large bags headed for London.

There's no way I could begin to appreciate all that this means or implies for our lives at this point. They say that youth is wasted on the young… and that's probably true. When I'm older and I can look back on this moment… I'll probably smile and say, "I had no idea what a great gift that really was." Life is a gift, and, for now, all I can say: "Thank you."

Wishful thinking

"Um.... Babe, I don't think that's going to fit."
"But it's got to fit. There's no other way!"

2 days 'til take-off.