Day 19...New Yo - oh no wait, hang on - Transit Day! - 15th July

Got up early in preparation for a big day in New York today! We went to do some laundry quickly first and were entertained by the customary crazy person in there. Then we headed back to our hotel to drop our clothes off before setting out. But as we tried to get into our room the key didn't work! So we went to reception and he said that we were checking out today. I said no, we were leaving on the 15th. And it WAS the 15th! Fuck! That was a close one!!

For a really split second I panicked that we had missed our flight, then remembered it was at 6pm so we were ok. We dashed upstairs and packed. It was a really weird feeling to think that you were all set to do something in New York and sleep there that night, then realise that you actually had to mentally prepare yourself for London! I thought that we recovered ourselves pretty well though. Nate thought it was dead funny and that I was an idiot.

We didn't really mind leaving today, as we had pretty much seen all that we wanted to see. The only thing that I'm disappointed about was that I didn't get to go to Harlem to watch the gospel choir. But maybe its for the best as it would have been really commercialised and I should best save it for when I do the Bible Belt in the deep south when I come back!

The flight check-in was the usual nightmare. We got fully searched again and they swipe all your onboard stuff and shoes for drugs and bomb materials. Its silly that we get flagged because we have one way tickets. If that's the case, wouldn't a terrorist simply buy a return ticket to avoid it? Duh! Anyways, Nates shoes were swiped and he actually set the machine off! I knew his feet stank, but I didn't know they were toxic haha! Anyway, he tested positive for nitrates (bomb stuff). I thought oh no, here we go (especially when they asked for his passport - in his photo he looks like a terrorist remember? He's all bearded and angry looking like he should be called Achmed or something hee hee). But the security guy said it was all ok, you pretty much can't swing a dead cat around without picking up nitrates so there you go. Another lady and her husband were getting searched and she was so put out! She was squawking "I'm a red blooded American!" and her husband put in "and a southern girl to boot!" Well strike me down then, that's all ok! What kooks. They are so funny.

Our pilot announcer on the flight was an absolute scream! He had this weird southern drawl which sounded like he was taking the piss. I laughed every time I heard him. On the flight to London it was overnight and I should have slept but I was an all awake yippee bean and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't sleep. Oh dear, it's going to be tough in London...