Long time no update...

Saturday night was a walk several blocks down to Saint Catherine to a PACKED party. Probably 5,000 people down there, with a Metallica cover band, car show, and everyone with open containers and all having a great time. The city embraces the race as all the stores, restaurants all open it late, and are all packed. Was a good time, and good food and great service at Hard Rock.

Sunday morning, up, checked out of hotel, and luggage in safe keeping in the luggage room at the hotel. Packed the last couple things, and ventured to the race track. There and arrived to find the weather VERY hot and the crowds very thick. We watched the F430 challenge, and the BMW Formula bumper cars. A delay before the F1 as the track was starting to get chewed up. We found some shade and relaxed until the driver's parade.

The driver's went around in Austin Healey's waiving to the crowd. Thanks for the zoom lens Scott! Scored some roast beef sandwiches, fresh lemonade and sat down for the race. Started off well, then Hamilton ignored the red light, and the crowd cheered and jeered. Overall great to see Kubica on top, and I think every true fan waived and cheered for ol' Bob, even those wearing red, or bright orange.

Exited the track to make the airport. Lanes were closed to walking, but open to cars, except there were no cars. Eventually the crowds overpowered and the whole place became a max exit. Pre-purchased subway tickets and going to the front or end of the subway train proved very effective. People are lemmings, as they all tried to pile into the first available door. Duh.

Metro to the St Launent station, back to the hotel, scored the luggage, then waited a bit for a cab. It arrived, and we took the death ride to the airport. The driver had to hold the steering wheel at a 45 degree angle in order for it to keep the car straight. The rear shocks were blown too. It was FUN!

Airport, customs, check-in, baggage and all that nonsense. Scored some decent food with horrible service at the restaurant within the air port, and fought the urge to buy all the duty free gifts. Boarded the flight for London at 8:45pm, and took off, delayed by some mechanical updates or something like that.

In flight, and had some chicken, potatoes, and stuff. Airplane food. Perhaps drained by the long sitting in the sun during a pretty enjoyable Gran Prix the food didn't taste that bad. The plane started the movie "Jumper" which is pretty bad. I downed some Nyquil in attempt to fall asleep. Another movie "The Time Machine" aired, and it was rancid as well. So, by then it was about 2am Eastern Standard Time. I was wide awake as the turbulence, and constant "bong" of the stewardess call to duty struck repeatedly through out the night. Simi laid across three seats, and I stretched my legs out on the ample space of the exit row seating. She slept well, all things considered, I didn't sleep a wink. I tried and tried, and nothing. Ugh.

About 4am EST, they switched on the lights and came around with breakfast as it was actually about 10am Monday morning in London. Snacked on yogurt, donuts, etc. and barely was alive. My body was drained, but I couldn't sleep to save my life. Plane landed to a nice mild dry London day. Checked the way through baggage (happily everything arrived) and awaited our ride. She showed up soon after, and we happily round-about-ed and wrong side of the road-ed our way in the 4 door Civic to Simi's cousin's house.

Arrived, and up still, it was pushing 11:30am London time, and I was done. Dropped my bags at the door of my temporary stay and passed out. Three hours later awoke feeling better to hang out and talk about how the UK is different than US. Schools are Universities. Chips are Fries. Crisps are Chips. Mayo goes with fries, and hilarious to hear their English accent change over to US Valley girl lingo. It's not "water" it's "wa-er". Good times.

We went to a chicken place called Lando's, with great wings, and one off sauces. Tasty. We walked from Lando's back to the house, going along some shopping plazas checking out the "Tastes of America - New York cheeseburger" from the local McDonalds. We walked some neighborhoods checking our Fiats, Citreons, and the like. The Fiat Panda 100hp is a sweet little car. Planes headed for Heathrow/London airport flew over every 40 seconds the whole time. Amazing the amount of people headed there.

Now back, making this reply, and 90% asleep right now as it's getting dark here, but the computer tells me that I'd just be getting off work at 43082.

Off to hit up London tomorrow with our guides, and see the sights and sites.

Lemans beckons on Wednesday.