Paradise

This is a story about the trip I took to England. My grandmother had gotten me an airplane ticket to come and see her, for my graduation present. I gotten to spend the summer in the United Kingdom.

        My flight left at 6:00 p.m. U.S. time, and arrived in England at 6:30 a.m. It was a nine hour flight from  Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania. England is five hours ahead (if you live in the Midwest).

        I didn't really want to go, because I was scared. I had flown before, but I was going on an overseas trip by myself.

My mother convinced me, when she told me that my grandmother was an older women, and something could happen

to her. I might not ever see her again.

        My parents had drove me to Pittsburgh, so I wouldn't have to change planes. We spent the day looking around

shops. I was just so nervous. My stomach was knotting up really bad. I made the mistake of having an iced cappuccino

before the flight, and I had to keep going to the bathroom.

        The guy sitting next to me on the plane was a crabass, and got very irritated with me, because I had to keep

getting up to use the restroom. He ended up switching seats with his wife.

        Every time there was turbulence, I freaked out a little bit. I was worried about flying over the Bermuda Triangle.

        I was scared to go through customs, and immigration, but it went all right. My grandmother told me I was lucky

that I even got to go, because British Airways was on strike.

        On the week of July 9 through the 12th, I had fish and chips, and English tea for the first time. British tea puts

American tea to same. The tea we have in the U.S. is way to weak. The British put milk, as well as sugar in their tea.

It is so good! We need tea time in America!

        We visited Champ (my grandma's husband), at the day center (senior center).

        We went to a huge flea market, where I got a cool blue robe, with stars, moons, and planets on it.

        My grandmother's friend Joyce, had hung balloons up her apartment to welcome me.

        My grandmother, and I put a granny book together, where she put pictures of herself, and stories about her life.

        My grandmother took me shopping. We walked the neighbor's dog. Then we went to the sports center to swim. I

guess Europeans are more comfortable with their bodies, because when we were getting changed into our swimsuits,

 my grandma was walking around the locker room naked talking to me, and I was hiding in a corner. I don't mean to make fun. I love this women, and I miss her dearly.

        My grandmother took me to see her friend Brian, and his wife. Brian's wife was dying of lupus, and had to stay

in the car most of the time we were at the park watching the hang gliders.

       On July 13th, we went on a tour bus to London. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a seat on top of the double-decker bus, which made it difficult to get pictures. Believe me, I went home with plenty!

       On July 15th, my grandma was having trouble walking because of her knee replacements, so we took a bus and

went to the mall.

       On July 16th, I saw the ruins of the Berkhamstead Castle.

       On July 19th, we went to a pub with my grandma's friends Kathy, and Sarah. I even met my penpal from

childhood.

       On July 20th, we packed to go to Blackpool.  Blackpool is like a huge amusement park, right on the beach. We

shopped, and got souvenirs for my family. My grandma got me a black kitty pin, and a stuffed kitty to put my

nightgown in. We walked along the beach, went to the Waxworks Museum, and saw the Mystique Magic Show. The

magic show had an outer space theme, with dancing, and comedy. Then I got to ride on a space simulator.

       My grandma, bless her heart, can be kind of ditzy at times. She accidently dumped fries in my purse. If you asked me how it happened, I couldn't tell you.

       I bought some candy penises, as gag gifts to take home. I couldn't help myself. When I got home to the U.S., I'd shown my family what I brought, and great grandma, who's a little out there, said that we could hang these on the

Christmas tree. I nearly peed my pants laughing!

      On July 27th, I went to Windsor Castle. My grandma bought me a London T-shirt. I bought a Henry the eighth doll, and a book about Windsor Castle.

      On July 29, Champ's grandsons came over to meet me.

      On July 30th, we went on another tour bus to London. We got to sit on top of the bus this time, but when I went

to take pictures of the sites, my camera jammed! My grandma and her friend had to take pictures for me.

      We went on a boat across the Tamm's River.

      My grandma's friend, Ann bought me a British flag, and a knight pencil sharpener. Then my grandma lost her purse in a phone booth. She was always talking about how she doesn't trust Japanese people. Oddly enough, a

Japanese tourist had found her purse, and returned it.

      On July 31, I went out with Champ's grandsons. We went to a pub, and ate, and talked. They asked me questions

about America. Then we went to a nightclub, and played video games. I kicked Jamie's butt on the target shooting

game. The guys told me that they were disappointed that I wasn't going to be in the country longer.

     On August 1, my grandma, and her friend took me to the zoo.

     August fifth, was the dreaded day I had to leave. My grandma could only follow me up to security checkpoint of the airport. I had to find the gate myself. I was so nervous that I could cry. I had a nice flight, but the landing was

rough. It felt like the plane was in the sky one minute, and dropped from the sky the next.

     I hated to leave! I've wanted to go back ever since.