How many consecutive hours have I been awake?

Hello from London!

I finally arrived this morning around 8 after flying all night (well that's misleading, it was a rather short night with the time change). I didn't get much sleep on the plane so all I really wanted to do was crash. But, I made it through a stupidly long customs line and into the UK with no trouble (other than having developed blisters on my hands from my suitcase). I then took the Express train from Heathrow to Paddington, which was more expensive than what I had planned, but fairly straightforward. Having arrived at Paddington I walked to my hotel where I was informed that check-in wasn't until 2 pm (it was about 10:45 am when I got there). This was bad, although not surprising, news as I was really hoping to take a nap. So I went out into London.

I grabbed a subway sandwich (incidentally not as good as the American version in my opinion) and then spent some time in Paddington. I decided to buy internet time because I didn't want to wait until 2 pm or later to tell my parents I'm alive. Then I decided since I had so much time to kill I would take a dry run on the tube to Westminster to practice for tomorrow. It was a good plan, but will end up being totally different tomorrow due to some line closures today that I think will be reopened tomorrow. Anyway, I got of at Charing Cross which is basically right at Trafalgar Square. It was nice to be in a part of town that I recognized and felt more comfortable in. I was going to head towards Parliament, but realized there were streets closed off and a lot of people down towards the Palace so I went to investigate. I didn't go all the way to the Palace (plenty of time for that later this week), but figured out that there was a big wreath laying ceremony at a memorial (I never quite figured out for exactly what). Anyway, the military band was marching and playing so I was happy. Then I made my way towards Parliament.

It was just a grand as I remember and really cool to be like the other tourists taking pictures while also realizing I am unlike the other tourists in that I will be meeting with MPs and going into these buildings we are taking pictures of! I wandered across the river to get a picture and met two British women who were willing to take my picture and chat a while. They were asking why I was here and where I was from so I decided to take the opportunity to ask them about the referendum. We had an interesting conversation and although worried I had appeared too nosy (don't worry, I think the reason they were so nice is that I was very polite) I was glad that I asked them as sort of a practice for talking to my first two MPs tomorrow.

I finally got back to my hotel and after carefully picking my way through narrow hallways and down narrow staircases found my room. And i finally took that nap I have been wanting since, well, yesterday! Tonight I am off to find some dinner, practice for tomorrow, go over my research, and hopefully, skype with my parents.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have some good stories of successful meetings with MPs!

Cheers!

P.S. Happy Mother's day to anyone who fits that description, but especially to my Mom!