We ran into an unusual kind of traffic jam on the Borough High Street. 

The parade is part of the Lord Mayor's Show, which includes a fireworks display at night between Waterloor and Westminster Bridges, to commemorate Guy Fawkes' attempt to change history... 

A Royal Affair

Little known fact: the Crown Princess of Norway is called Mette-Marit. So, what do two Norwegian girls called Mette and Marit do when they move in together? They throw a royal housewarming party.

When we arrived at their house tonight, there was a red carpet rolled from the front door to the sidewalk, and we were greeted by our hosts in tiaras and opera-length gloves. The whole house was covered with pictures of the Norwegian royal family, which was educational for me and funny to the oodles of Norwegians in attendance.

All in all, it was a good party, and while it was a bit loud, the neighbors didn't seem to mind: as we piled into a cab at 3:30 in the morning to come home, the neighbors were just tromping up the stairs to have a "welcome to the neighborhood" drink with the people still left dancing to bad Eurotrash music. I'm so happy it's Saturday tommorrow and I can sleep in...

Waiting for the Docklands Light Railway to take us to the party, Gjertrud and I model the latest in London footwear. This is for Marnelle, who couldn't comprehend the jeans-tucked-into-boots look. 

It was Bonfire Night, and our hosts had decorated their garden (yes! some people in London have gardens!) with cute l'il lanterns. There were numerous fireworks displays to be glimpsed from a distance, so alot of people congregated in the garden. 

Here's me and Alex. Everyone in England who is English is named Alex. Um, that's not true, but he's named Alex, the guy further down the blog doing the Brando impression is called Alex, there's flatmate Alex, and also brother Alex. Uhhh, he's not English. But still. That's alot of Alexes. 

Want to know how small the world really is? Meet Erik. I met Erik tonight for the first time. Erik went to the United World College in Singapore. Not only is Erik a UWC'er like myself, but...he's visited Lambrick Park, my high school, because he visited his girlfriend in Victoria and ended up there somehow. Spooky. 

Ummm. I'm not sure who these guys are, or where they're from. But it's a funny picture and I hope they like it. 

Gjertrud and Mikkel are participating in the time-honored party tradition of standing around in the kitchen. 

I'm smiling because my sweater matches the kitchen cupboards. Gjertrud is thinking, "Dani is my fashion icon." 

This Swedish guy looks alot like Stephen Harper if you ask me. 

Well, either Stephen Harper or some weird Stephen Harper-Nick Lachey hybrid.