Yesterday was a sad day because it was our last day in Europe but we fit a lot in and it turned out to be a really fun day. We woke up early and left our hostel to get on the Tube around 9am. We took the Tube to Buckingham Palace and watched the changing of the guards which was cool from what we could see. It was sooo crowded. After that we went and laid in Green Park for about an hour. It was really nice weather and we were in no rush so it was nice to just lay around on the lawn. We were on a major budget yesterday, our goal was to get through the day without going to the ATM and to get rid of all the pounds we had so we did not have to exchange them at the airport for a crap rate. We split some popcorn for lunch and had water.

After a bit we walked and made our way to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. We saw Parliament square and went down by the river. We went to Trigulanguar Square and watched some but job perform some magic trick in chains and a strait jacket. We hung out by the water fountains and went into the National Gallery Museum for bit. By we were starving and decided to go to a cool pub we found and split a small thing of nachos for 4 pounds. We had time to kill until Dirty Dancing at 7:30 so we stayed at the pub and got a drink. By 7 we had made friends and were running late to the show. We got lost of course and made it to will call literally 30 seconds before they shut the door. Dirty Dancing was amazing. I wish I could dance like that, it is so cool to watch people dance like that. After the show we made our way through crowds of other shows getting out and to the Tube. We had to transfer lines but finally made it to our stop around 11:30. We walked back to the hostel. We were starving because we never ate dinner because we ran out of money but we sucked it up and figured we could eat in the morning.

I hate having early flights. I always feel like I am not going to wake up to any kind of alarm. I went to bed around 1:30 and woke up again at 3:00. Slept for about a half hour and then got back up. We packed up and our cab was waiting for us when we got down to the hostel lobby at 6:15am. It took about an hour with traffic to the airport and then another hour to get our bags checked, passports looked at and to pass through security. We had breakfast at some bridge place. It was really good considering we were so hungry from eating popcorn and drinks only yesterday. We walked around a bit and found a bench were I fell asleep for about 30 min until Michelle woke me up and said they had posted our gate. Our gate was of course the furthest gate away and we had to go through passport and ticket check again. Michelle got randomly pulled aside for a luggage check and a pat down. She was thrilled. Finally at 9:30 we boarded our flight.

It is just about 7:30am in Fargo. We are currently somewhere over the Atlantic ocean, feels like we have been flying forever and we still have 4 hours and 40 minutes left according to the screen in front of me. The plane we are in is a 777. I like these planes. We each have a TV screen on our seat and can watch a live map of where the plane is, the time zones, temperatures and speed. It also lets you individually watch new movie realses, TV shows, and play video games. It is awesome because you do not have to be watching what everyone else is. I watched Just Go With It this morning and I am now watching Rio. I have not gotten any sleep and only got two hours last night so we will see how long I can stay awake once I get into Fargo. We actually got seats next to the window for once so that has made this ride much better. Michelle has been sleeping on and off (so jealous) . She watched Rio and is now watching Lincoln Lawyer.

We are supposed to land in Chicago at 12:35. I am trying to get my mind wrapped back around American time. It does not feel real that we are going home. Actually it does not feel real that we ever were in Europe at all. These past seven weeks have gone by so incredibly fast and it is hard to believe it is over and tomorrow it is already July. I had the time of my life in Europe and I have made memories and met friends that I will never forget. When people tell you that going abroad will change you, it really does. It makes you open your eyes and look at a lot of things in a broader sense. It makes you appreciate where you come from, while still being able to appreciate the unique beauty and differences you find in every country. This world is a different place wherever you go. Some cultural differences were harder to grasp for me because they seemed so out of the ordinary compared to what I am used to. Other differences I experienced I wanted to bring back to America. Being emerged in all the different cultures was definitely a learning experience and taught me a lot about the world we live in but among all, my time in Europe made me realize just how blessed I am to be able to call America home. When people ask me, which I am sure a lot of people will now that I have experienced Europe, if I would I work in another country or live in another country I now know that I do not think I ever could. America will always be home. I love where I am from and I would not want a life anywhere else. There is a whole world out there beyond what most people will ever see. It is beautiful, awesome and amazing. I know one day I will be back in Europe again but for now I am excited to be home :) Never thought I would miss Fargo as much as I do along with all the people back home. Tomorrow it is back to reality but reality means being back home and after seven weeks of straight vacation I am ready to be back! Thank you Europe and to all the amazing people who made these past seven weeks the time of my life :)