London!

First of all -- Happy Veteran's Day to all who are serving or have served in the US Military. We are proud to call the United States of America "Home" because of your service! Thank you!

---------------

The Dittmers have officially made a trip to The Smoke! Last weekend our friend Cassie joined us on our adventure and we had a blast! Today we went again and we already have another new friend who came with named Steve! There is so much to do and see there, I know that over the next three years it will still be a treat to go into town.

So far, the top five highlights of our two trips are:

1. The Underground (the "Tube" as the locals call it here). 

Ok, ok, it's just public transportation... but it really is fun! Today when we got on a train on the Central Line around 6:30PM we were packed in there like sardines. We love getting off the tube one stop over, walking around the area for a long time and then realizing you walked all the way back to the original stop you had just left. This happens most frequently around Picadilly Square. Mind the Gap!!

2. Seeing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

Nice digs, Your Majesty!

This happened by pure accident, guys! We were just walking along toward the palace and then we saw it (yay, exciting, how cool!). We saw a couple guys with tall bearskin hats walking around and we thought they were just on patrol or whatever... turns out they were doing the rigmarole called "the changing of the guard" or at least, I think that's what they were doing. You be the judge:

3. Enjoying a really nice Autumn day in Westminster:

'Nuff said.

The only sad bit is that it's always so damp so none of the leaves crunch when you walk on them.

4. Portobello Market!

I don't have any photos of this place, but I am in love with it. It's a 2-mile stretch of vendors and adorable shops that I wish I could bring every girlfriend with me to see. I am sure I will be finding sweet additions to our home decor at this marketplace.

5. We were the very first customers at a late-serving dim sum diner called Dim Sum Diner...

So much food!

Our Asian friends, Steve & Cassie, showing us the joys of dim sum.

This was a cute little asian restaurant which apparently is an American-style restaurant. Could have fooled us! Dim Sum is like bite-sized asian food (or, finger food...?). The Spanish version would be Tapas, and these are very popular in England as well. Anyway, I guess it's pretty rare to have a Dim Sum restaurant open in the evening so the owner decided to do something different and open one for people like us! (On another note--the English eat dinner really late. Many times they serve early-bird menu deals for customers who dine before 7pm. WIN!)

Other fun sights:

Pay Toilets -- £.50, please

The London Eye (we will go ON it soon!)

 BIG BEN

Others are growing a mustache during the month of Movember!

 Sherlock Holmes' home! 221b Baker Street

IN OTHER NEWS

We found a house! Stay tuned for a special blog post introducing our new home to you (it will be in stages because our household goods are still on a boat). However, our move-in date is 21 November if all goes well. Keep praying!!