Touchdown Alabama...or rather a false start.

Oh Readers. What a first day this has been. I'll go chronilogically.

Firstly, I cannot say enough good things about British Airways. The service was impeccable and they served three rounds of food service--snack, night meal, breakfast. It was incredible.

After a pleasant and uneventful flight, we arrived safely at Heathrow. Unfortunately for me, the border officer that was checking me through misheard me and thought I was coming to work rather than holiday, so I was detained by immigration for seven and a half hours. It was one of the most traumatic and stressful situations that I have ever been in. Everything was searched, I was frisked, and eventually interviewed. My dream trip of a lifetime was becoming my worst nightmare. The only glimmer of goodness that came out of the experience was that my interviewing officer was such a nice guy and was terribly apologetic for the insane amount of time that I had to wait. He was so mad that I hadn't been told why I was detained and that I had been there so long at that point, that he put in a good word with his supervisor and got my paperwork and eventual release expedited. It is good to know that there are people out there who truly want to help you when you have been wrongfully detained.

My poor family. I had told them that I had been detained when I first got to London, but since my phone was confiscated whilst I was in a soul-sucking white room of immigration, I wasn't able to keep them updated. My mother and older sister were having strokes--my sister called my hotel, Heathrow Security and was looking at flights for a recon mission. Fortunately, everything worked out in my favor and I am free to start my vacation.

If you ever find yourself in London and want a hotel recommendation, I would definitely say try the London House Hotel in Kensington. It is moderately priced, the staff friendly and the best part can be summed up in three words: HEATED BATHROOM FLOORS. While my room is very small (I got a single occupancy to save $$), it is just enough for someone who doesn't need much space. It has everything you need and is in a convenient and quiet location.

After a day of nervous/stress sweating I had to immediately take a shower. Even though I feel like I have actually just arrived in London and it is fairly early in the evening (it is 6:30 pm as I write this) I have no strength. My stomach is still in knots from a day of stress and I am beyond tired from attempting to hold in my emotions and failing miserably--can you say silent, pleading, ugly cry?--that all I want to do is sleep.

Tomorrow is a new day and honestly, I think things can only go up from here. I am finally settled and I didn't have to be denied entry. Otherwise, this would have turned out to be the most exensive day trip I have ever had.

Be looking out for tomorrow's post. Crossing fingers that it will be more thrilling in an exciting, non-threatening kind of way. For now, I am signing off and settling down for some telly and a long sleep.

Until tomorrow!