After receiving a text from my dad today about the women on the tube with their great big hat boxes heading toward Wimbledon, I decided it was time to reminisce on the summer of 2006. It was a good summer. A summer of friendships and traveling pants… no, seriously, my pants traveled.

I was in a strange space during my study abroad. I was in the middle of ending a pretty long term relationship with a pretty awful he-who-must-not-be-named. For the only time in my life, I chopped my hair nice and short, making me look 5 years younger than I already did. I was a know-it-all (nothing’s changed, I know), and I know I drove everyone crazy.

Let me tell you a little bit about my study abroad group. It was 95% estrogen. Need I say more? Ok. Without further ado, from the archives of my undergrad past, the hottest summer in London’s history. Study Abroad, 2006.

If you didn’t believe me about the heat wave, check this out:

Rooming in the attic, with one window, and no air conditioning made sleeping quite an adventure. That summer I learned how to sleep on top of the covers in nothing more than my knickers. So Amy and I spent a lot of our time at Trafalger Square, cooling off in the fountain.

Every time I visit London, someone drags me to the Tower of London. Once I’m done looking at the Crown Jewels, this is about all I have left in me: (real mature, I know)

Portobello Road, Portobello Road, Street where the riches of ages are stowed. Anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off the barrow in Portobello Road.

And then there’s Abbey Road…

And while we’re on the famous locations list, Wimbledon. Arguably (by me) the best sports tournament ever.

Since we were cute, young, American girls, the security guards let us sneak into Centre Court, where we saw Venus Williams:

And then, since Pirates of the Carribbean II was opening in the UK, we saw this guy. Yummy.

And, since she was studying across the street from us, we saw her, too. Actually, we ran into her (literally, in my case, on the sidewalk) daily. (Misha Barton, I know, it’s hard to see but this picture was weeks in the making…)

The necessary Stonehenge pictures:

And my favorite statue in all of London. Peter Pan. With my lovely friend, Tiffany, who came to visit on her way back from Spain!

Because of the heat, we played hookie one day and hit up Brighton Beach.

Give Peace a Chance:

And I end on the best part of our trip, Henry, the Incredible Vacuum Cleaner. He sat up at the top of our stairs every night when Amy and I stumbled back into our room, a little too much Strongbow ingested. He looked after us because he knew more about Walkabout night clubs than we did at that time… and we loved him dearly.

Isn’t he cute?

So go on with your bad self, London. I’m ready for another Wimbledon… bring it on! Host the Olympics, you deserve it! And to the Royal Family, you simply rock. I love you. See you again, soon. Cheers.

*Filed under Wanderlust Life*

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• brighton
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• johnny depp
• london
• stonehenge
• study abroad
• wimbledon
• fabulous adventures