London, England. By Dan Benson, the freak

These are some of the many images I have taken while in London.

Feb 21st. Here we go again, another heart felt e-mail from Dan telling us all about his silly little, "Early Mid-Life Crisis," trip. Sorry, but no. I have been in London since Tuesday of this week, and have had an epic time. I walked more in the last few days then I have ever walked, so much so that my feet are killing me, and I just won't stop bitching about it. Really, London is a great city. It is the first city I have ever explored that was a big city, with a small town feel, can't wait to see Paris. From the hostel I have been staying at in the middle of the town, I have walked to the far east, back again, then to the far west. The cityscape is unreal, you have new and old, built next to each other. Here you have St. Paul's cathedral, there you have the Tate Modern Art Museum, a converted Power-station, just across the river. Again, you have the London Eye, a glorified ferris wheel, just across the river from Big Ben and Parliament. I have seen most of the city at this point, at least what the most hyper would and or could walk to, and have not had a dull moment to boot. Complimenting the cityscape is the sky. When I thought of London, or the UK as a whole, I thought of grey, wet weather. This is exactly right, but on most days, the sky is amazing with it's patterns, dark and cloudy here, and as nice as a day on the beach just a few hundred feet away. This makes picture taking a challenge, but with enough patience, you can get a good photo, as you will see. Walking has never been my better sport. I have always preferred motorized sports with wheels and gas, that can overcome the 100-Mph barrier. Here, I have for the first time in my life walked in a general direction, and not thought a tic about where I was going or how quickly I can get there, (My big speeding problem) as you all know. Parks, Parks, Parks, London has some of the most gorgeous and green parks I have ever seen, and they are in a huge city, not a small town. If you live in a major city in the US, and want a family with the city life, then London is for you. Let's give you a few examples: St. James Park, Hyde Park, Holland Park, Kensington Palace Gardens. I am not a fan of the Royalty, but they sure know how to make and keep a city beautiful. The people: I came to London without a plan as to where I was going to live, this is not something I like to do, so I got on the tele and started kissing ass. My second call was to one of my best friend's sister Rebecca. She just so happens to be living in London until summer. Without a thought, she got me into the very nice hostel where she is living in the center of town. There I have meet many new friends, who I have given good advice about my future travels, as well as some good company while just chillin out on the couch. A few more: English Doug, an old friend from the states, has met me many times and shown me a very good time here, a bit of the local side of the city, instead of just a tourist view, and a many a good laugh, a funny bastard he is. My cousin Sarah had me over to meet a few friends and have great converse about music and books, to bad I only see her when I come to London and call her. The Benson's French exchange student from when I was thirteen in 1990. Flo, Husband Kevin, and darling son Luc, I just sat and apologized for being a complete childish prick when she was with us. Hey I was thirteen, what can I say, I don't change much. I am glad to have seen them all again. The long and short: I think London is a very cool city, and I will be back. I do not feel so at home here as I did when in Edinburgh, but Scotland will always be cooler then England. I am going to get yelled at for that one.. For those of you who just want see the pictures, just skip over all my silly, stupid jabber jawing and click on the link at the bottom, just be prepared to take a test later. From here to Paris on Monday, then Amsterdam, then who knows. Hope you are all well and drop a line you fair weather friends! Your freakish friend, Elvis in London..