Hello and greetings from Newmarket, UK. We have had the longest day ever. I left the states around 1:20 pm and got in around 2:30 am. That's 6:55ish am UK time. We ran into Roni and Alex at the airport very quickly. We made it successfully. I spent the first flight mostly sleeping, but I had a nice chat with the guy next to me towards the end. He has a pit bull, works for the Air Force in logistics, is divorced, has a son, has his own plane, and seemed like a really nice guy.

From DC to Philadelphia I slept next to a nice girl that I did not speak to at all. Then I met up with Mary at the Philadelphia airport. I was running late, and I thought Mary would all ready be there waiting on the plane, but she caught up with me while I was boarding. We weren't sitting next to each other, but I sat next to a very nice woman who was coming back home from California (visiting friends). The other woman is visiting her newly married daughter in London. They will be spending some nice time together. I slept a bit (didn't watch any movies but Inkheart was showing). The plane was a total rip-off. We were charged so much, and there were only three seats, an aisle, and three seats. There weren't TVs in every seat...they were up in the plane...maybe 5? Then they offered headsets for $5. Those used to be free! Apparently I've been spoiled on my previous trips overseas.

We got off the plane, and when we went through customs, I experienced the Spanish Inquisition from the check guy. He wanted to know what I was doing, what I had been doing, how I was funding my trip, what my future plans are, etc etc. It was ridiculous. I felt like I was being scrutinized. I promise I won't be a bum staying here forever! Mary didn't get any questions...not really anyway.

We came back to Alex's apartment, wandered around Newmarket looking at the horses (there are many around here-it's a major racing town). The jockeys were quite friendly despite Alex's previous experiences. Then we went to the Air Force Base where Alex is stationed. We grabbed some lunch at a pizza place where we met Tommy, and then we went to try and watch the jets take-off again. We missed them multiple times. Then we got to check out an F15 C and an F15 E. It was so awesome. I couldn't take pictures, sadly, but it was really cool. They have all sorts of radars and buttons and screens. Okay, that's a really sad description, but they are cool. We checked out various missiles after that (250 lb, 500 lb, 1000 lb, and 2000 lb). They were filled with concrete, but it was really sweet to see them and have them explained.

We then went to watch the jets landing (we did get to see this, I do have pictures!). We then came back to Alex's, chilled out for a bit, rode Tommy's motorcycle, then went to an Indian restaurant. I have never been on a motorcycle, and it was quite the experience. It was so amazing. Partly scary and partly freeing. The Indian restaurant was really quite delicious (even if they got a huge tip for mischarging me...whatever).

Now we are chilling, and I'm typing this as Alex, Roni, Mary, and Tommy play slaps. We are watching Bear Gryllis and playing. I'm going to jump in next round so I can lose. I can't wait to get some sleep, but it can wait a bit