''In Washington DC, if I try to broadcast on an FM radio frequency without a legal broadcast licence, I will be shut down. When this happens in Venezuela, it is reported as censorship.''

The Guardian - The anti-Venezuela election campaign

AMEN.

LONDON!

My perception of London: it's just like the US of A. That may offend some Londoners, and also some Americans... but they've got Starbucks, Urban Outfitters, strawberry flavored Chapstick, vegetarian options at all the restaurants, people on bikes everywhere, AND they speak English. Sure, they've got a funny accent (to my ears), but so do people from New York, Chicago, or Alabama. That being said, I do rather like the United States, so I also liked London. I immediately felt comfortable wandering around the city (after my customary 'getting massively lost' ritual; this has been an important part of my entrance to every new city).





Here's me being a typical tourist at the infamous Abbey Road:

I saw Grizzly Bear and Beach House, two bands I'm absolutely in love with.

here's to you

People here are shocked that I'm going to London, alone, tomorrow. And it's the alone part, not the tomorrow part, that shocks them. Not everyone, just a fair number of average adults. I've actually seen some jaws drop, excluding my young, liberal friends. Personally, I'm pretty excited about the prospect of traveling alone for a weekend, because I get to be exponentially more selfish than I could possibly be when sharing a trip with someone else (however, herein lies the problem: I can't share the trip with anyone). It could turn out to be rather lonely, which I've accepted as a possibility, or it could turn out to be an amazing and liberating experience, much like traveling to Spain alone was. I'm not sure yet. You see, other than hopping across the Atlantic solo and plopping down in Madrid with a suitcase and a backpack last September, I haven't really done any solo traveling. I've always wanted to, but there are these persistent little voices whispering into my ears that I can't do that. That girls can't do that. Or, that I, with red hair, white skin, and a petite posture (?) can't do that because I'm an easy target. Well, here's to you, voices who say that I can't.

Anywho, I'm only going to London alone, where the people speak my language and look an awful lot like me. I'm not sure what the fuss is about.