Countdown: Three Days

We can probably browse through http://www.enjoyengland.com/ now and find out what exciting things there are to do and see in England. We actually haven't, which is bizarre.

We always wonder what people imagine when they think of England, particularly the ones who have never been there.
Probably tea, poor dental hygiene, and the Queen. Right?
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) the British actually has the healthiest teeth in the world. IN THE WORLD.

Source: http://www.economist.com/node/15060097?subjectid=7933596&story_id=15060097

Amazing, right? So how about that. (For an expanded interesting read on that, and four other National stereotypes read:'The 5 Most Statistically Full of Shit National Stereotypes' http://www.cracked.com/article_18409_the-5-most-statistically-full-shit-national-stereotypes.html)

But we're still left with the Queen. Queen Elizabeth, who was crowned queen 53 years ago yesterday. God Save The Queen. Something.

Honestly, we're not interested in her, not interested in British Royalty at all, it's mostly symbolic anyway, and they are just people born into privilege - with some fucked up, excuse our language, history. About four hundred years ago they ruled that the government can overrule the monarchy, and they became a democratic country.

So, in the meantime, tea and the Queen, because you can't dispute the importance of tea to a Brit.

Oh, and you must'nt forget...The Monty Python (a fantastic British Sketch Comedy troupe)

Responsible for such awesome films as The Life of Brian. Here's a sample!

Countdown: Seven Days

We're going to attempt to not make this blog too much about mental health stuff...but it's bound to happen one and awhile. This blog is for the sole purpose of talking about travel, currently that to England.

One week from right now we'll be in the air, actually we'll probably be getting out connecting flight, on our way to the UK.

We're nervous as heck, mostly because where we are going to stay after the first few days hasn't been figured out completely yet. Luckily James has a couple of interviews for a job almost right away when we get to England.

Back in the day (meaning about two years ago) we never, ever, ever, would have put out entire life in the hands of anyone, let alone someone we were dating...but, well...what can we say, the "part" of us that was in constant obsessive control of everything, and planned things to a t, is no longer around, and look...caution meet wind, and we toss....

Wednesday night there was a breakdown in our system, she is scared, nervous, paranoid to be taking this trip...but James held us in his arms while she unraveled a bit, and then she felt better, for now. He promises her that he will try to keep her, and all of us, safe.

So...7 DAYS...we started packing last week.

*fingers crossed*

Sixteen Day Countdown, Packing

Warning: Ramble

Less than days before we get on a plane to England.

We're nervous, excited, apprehensive...and anxious to start packing.

But what to pack when we're planning on traveling while in Europe.

The weather in January in Britain, on average, is 8.4 C-11 C (48 F-52 F), but then we want to go to Spain and France too, so what does that mean for packing?

We're planning on going to Dublin (Southern Ireland) and Glasgow, Scotland, but we figure the weather is similar since it's less than 500 miles from the southern most tip of Portsmouth, Britain to Glasgow (or Edinburgh), Scotland, and from the looks of the map it's where more dense population gives way to wilderness and scattered habitation.

Back to packing...

In case you didn't know, we're a girl...meaning shoes, dresses, jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, skirts, tights, sweater-dresses...not to mention toiletries and jackets. Luckily we don't use curling irons, hair dryers, or hairsprays, that'll lighten the load.

Things to consider when packing...how many bags are  allowed? Some airlines only allow one checked, and two small carry-ons. What is the maximum amount the luggage can weight for each airline you're booked on? When James flew in he used two different airlines and managed to sweet talk them into making allowances for his luggage weight, but it could have cost him nearly $100 for overage weight (must be the accent).

How does one go about packing for three months in a foreign country?!

Yes, we're rambling...

Fun Facts: Geography
(not everyone knows this, trust us...okay, and it might not be your idea of "fun"):
This is the actual flag of England:

The other flag, the Union Flag, often inaccurately referred to as the Union Jack (up at the top left of this entry), is the flag of The United Kingdom.

The UK (United Kingdom) is made of of the following countries: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. (Dublin is part of Southern Ireland, Belfast is part of Northern Ireland)
Britain (or Great Britain) is the name of the island that makes up the political union of Scotland, England and Wales.

While we are going to be in Britain, we will be spending the majority of our time in Southeast England, outside of London (the capital of England), less than an hour from the North Sea.

England is only 500 miles long! The entire square mileage of England is bigger than Utah, but smaller than Oregon. (94,500 square miles).
--------------------------------
Why are we writing about this?
It's how we learn, and a place to keep the info we want to remember; and we love to learn about the world.
Our favorite part of social sciences in school was when we studied other countries, though on average we have forgotten the majority of what we've learned. The best way to learn about a country is to plan a trip and go there.

Promise, once we start writing about our travels there it'll be more interesting. Okay, so we don't promise...