All photos above: Adrienne C. Wilson

At first I wasn’t going to write about London, but the timing is probably more fitting than ever. Plus Prentice thinks I should share whatever stories I have. Ready for the most un-tourist like vacation tale in London?

LONDON: My plans were simple. I didn’t have any real plans. I didn’t have an itinerary. I just wanted to stay away from tourists. I wanted to visit a few tourist attractions, but I wanted to avoid massive clusters of shutter happy people. When Ian and I arrived at Heathrow we took care of the business of getting Oyster cards with enough pounds to last us our entire trip. We double checked the map before hoping on the Jubilee line. The place we were couch surfing was located in North London just 15 minutes walk away Camden Town and seven minutes walk between both the Swiss Cottage and Chalk Farm Underground stations. It wasn’t hard to find.

The rest of that first day in London became extremely surreal. Fred, a Frenchie, who resided at the residence we were staying at, was delighted to have two American guests so it seemed. He saw it as an opportunity for someone to tag-a-long to a televised debate on who would become the next U.S. President. The debate would be shown on Press TV, the first Iranian international news network, broadcasting in English on a round-the-clock basis. We would also be paid (10 pounds) for being in the audience which had reminded of the many audiences I sat in during college in Los Angeles. I was excited! A paying gig in London! Really? As a broke American joker, I figured it might pay for a meal down the road and was a pretty random way to kick things off in the city. Sitting in the audience was a different story. Ian and I were very exhausted and I was struggling to stay awake. Was I really in Ethiopia less than 24 hours ago and now in a studio audience discussing Presidential matters in my homeland? There were only three McCain supporters in the room and the rest for Obama. It almost started to feel like a nightmare. I’ve included the program below and I do encourage you to press the stop button if you’ve had enough of the election chatter. (Updated: I got annoyed with the video being here on my blog. Please click above if you really wish to view it. The show date was 10.21.)

Back at the house things were the same. All the residents in the house would chatter about “Joe the Plumber” and ask questions about what we thought of Sarah Palin. Wasn’t I just in Africa? Isn’t this London? Of course the people in Ethiopia are excited about Obama. There was a restaurant in Bahir Dar named after him. Several people wore Obama shirts. But somehow I think the people in the UK might have been a bit more obsessive. They asked me about my state and what type of volunteer work I did for the campaign. They loved the Obama gear and buttons I sported a few days while I was there. It seemed they love Obama and if only their votes could count.

The rest of the time in London was spent casually spending money (as if I were rich) in various Camden Town shops. I picked up a wonderful dress from a shop called All Saints and Ian scored a mighty handsome shirt. Lord knows I spent far too much money in London, but I couldn’t help myself. All these wonderful stores and they don’t exist on the other side of the pond. Sigh. How can a girl resist?

Then there was a night at the famous Jazz Cafe where we saw Van Hunt perform. The show was okay and most certainly nothing to write home about. Obviously not being a big fan or I should say, not knowing a lot of the music contributes to my sentiments. Also, before arriving at the venue I had taken a nasty and embarrassing dive into the street of London when hurrying to cross the cross walk. I scraped my knees pretty badly and hurt my fingers and foot in the process. These things I couldn’t get off my mind.

When Koffi came we went to Cargo in the Shoreditch area, but didn’t stay long. Oh, and there was Tate Modern, the Masala Zone and Nando’s with EJ’s girl.

I’ll think I’ll pause on London for now. I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m just thankful the weather was cooperative.

While I’ve tried tirelessly to create amazing little adventures in between now and the next great adventure, I have cooled it down. That means no Caribana in Toronto (Sorry Herschel) and no other international trips. NONE. Of course random things do come up here and there so don’t be surprised if you check back in and I’ve checked out to Jamaica. I wish.

Let me be mindful of the true topic of this particular post. THE NEXT BIG ADVENTURE. I’m currently in the planning stages which for me basically means attractions, food, and how I want to spend my days and nights in these foreign lands. Tickets have already been purchased for all major legs of the journey and accommodation will be a combination of hotels and couchsurfing. Here’s what I’ve got going on thus far…

Ethiopia (September 23 – October 16)

Why I am going: Ethiopia has been a dream destination ages. Don’t know where the desire came from, but it has stuck. Could it be the bone of Lucy? Cradle of civilization? Authentic Ethiopian food calling my name? Probably all of the above. As I’ve mentioned already on the blog I am going with Habitat for Humanity International for a two week Global Village build.

In country plans: The plan is to spend the first week in Addis Ababa getting accustomed to the city. I’d like to go dancing at least two night while I’m there as I hear Addis is surprisingly a bit of a big party city. Additionally, I will be arriving just in time to experience what Lonely Planet says is a MUST-see if traveling at the end of September: MESKEL. A quick trip to Dessie and hopes to visit some orphanages in Addis as well.

Week 2 and 3 in Ethiopia will be dedicated entirely to the Global Village mission with HFH and we will spend more of our time in Debre Markos. Additionally we will see Gondar, Bahir Dar and Lake Tana to name a few sights.

London (October 16 – October 21)

Why I am going: It’s London. I’ve avoided traveling there for years due to my fancy of the third-world. This time I’m using it as a stopping place for most of the comforts found here at home before heading off to the next new destination.

In country plans: My friend Ian who will be coming from Ethiopia with me into London for a few days will probably have a better idea of what to do. My game plan for now is to do London on a shoestring. All the free goodies one can possibly see and one good splurge (Probably on food – restaurants anyone?) I really want to go dancing. Two or three nights or a good workout on the dance floor will do just fine. I’m hoping to find some afro-funk, world, carib, soul, jazz, etc. I’m open to whatever so long as there is room to dance. Since I’m not a beer drinker or much of a drinker period – I’ll happily pass on pub crawling.

So museums, the Wellcome Collection, Salvador Dali, the neighborhoods, the Thames… You get the picture and if you don’t I’ll have a better idea once I get there.

Dubai (October 22-October 29)

Why I am going: Always heard so much about Dubai. Would love to see the luxurious side of the Emirates and practice a little Farsi with every Persian there as much as possible. LOL. Seriously! For all that’s worth I can probably just go to Westwood in L.A.

In country plans: Ride an abra across the Creek, visit Al Ain’s Camel Farm & Palace, The World Islands & The Palm Jumeirah, have lunch at the Burj Al Arab and dune bashing.

Oman (October 30-November)

Why I am going: Once upon a time I read an article about cruising on a dhow in Musandam to the Kumzars and have dreamed about it ever since then. Go figure… My favorite nursery rhyme has always been “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat.”

In country plans: Stroll the Corniche, chill out in Muscat, Muttrah Soug, take a sunset camel ride in the town of Buraimi, visit the Nizwa Souq on Friday, take a trip to Jebel Akhdar and try to pick up as much Arabic as humanly possible.

That’s everything in a nutshell. I am happily taking suggestions for MUST-do’s in any of these countries. My days in Ethiopia already look pretty packed and I more than anything I could use a tip or two on where to go in London. So if you are reading and know something… HOLLA!