London is incredibly close to my heart not only because it is my absolute favorite city, but also because I had the privilege of studying abroad here during my junior year in college (or "Uni" as I said then). I was crazy excited to share this incredible place-- it's history, art, culture, and climate-- with my hubby for the first time. I love the rain, what can I say? Cameron had never been anywhere outside the USA and Bahamas before, so that made the trip all the more special. But the very best part of this first blimp on our map is that we brought 9 of my students with us!

Early on in the school year I had committed to creating a school trip to London. All year long our team slaved away at fundraising, saving, events, and writing/calling donors to make the dream a reality. In the end, the group that ended up going was perfect: 9 high school girls aged 15-18. My worlds collided. As a teacher and a traveller, I was blown away by the effervescent wonder that overtook them as they went to plays at the West End, or explored museums, like the Tate Modern, National Gallery, and Natural History museum, and embraced the customs and sights of the city. They were in stitches when we made reservations at the Horiman Pub. And what else could be on a menu but bangers and mash? Oh, and for dessert? Two chocolate balls and one elongated "scoop" of ice cream. None of this was intensional, but with 9 high school girls, they couldn't help but take pictures and giggle their way through the meal.

There's nothing quite like seeing learning come alive, but seeing students experience history, taste culture, reflect on art left me speechless and unbelievable grateful.

We did a workshop and tour at Shakespeare's Globe theater and a scavenger hunt in Covent Garden. We explored St. Paul's Cathedral and listened to the boys' choir at Evensong in Westminster Abbey. We shopped on Oxford Circus and Regent and viewed Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park. At each place and every day the girls surprised me more and more with their maturity, curiosity, and love of learning. They took care of each other and dove into every activity. They wanted to read each plaque at each museum and read the pamphlets for each play. Even trips to the grocery store were exciting and adventurous for them as they tried the English version of candies, snacks and drinks and shared them with everyone who wanted to try them. Each night they eagerly called their parents to update them on their adventures and I realized that all the stress and heartache over leading a trip like this was more than worth it; I was helping to create little globally-minded, travel-bug bitten world travelers and I couldn't be more proud.

Everything I love about teaching and everything I love about travel came together in one great week.

But so did all the things I hate about travel, too. It wasn't all insta-worthy pictures and glamorous teachable moments. Three of my students had never been on a plane before and the flights were absolutely terrifying to one who broke down in tears on the first flight. We spent 21/2 hours in a customs line and almost didn't make it into the country; we were sweltering with the heat and slow dragging of feet and luggage. By the time we made it into Heathrow, I had yet another girl in tears from exhaustion and fatigue. In a hilarious turn-of-events, it was the hottest week in recorded history (since the 1970's) and all the kids teased me for saying it was usually overcast in London! Our day trip to Windsor Castle, while incredible because we were there the day of the Queen's Speech and opening of Parliament so the Queen was actually there while we were, was the hottest day of the week reaching over 90 degrees. Crazy London traffic, plus barricades, plus the Ascot races, and summer tourism left us stranded on a bus with no air-conditioning for hours. The girls were troopers and never once complained, but their flushed faces and desperate sprint for water as soon as we were off the bus made it clear that they were as miserable as we were. I had a cough all week that left me bedridden on day 5, and one of my students bedridden on day 6.

Nonetheless, London was good to us. I asked my students "So, what do you think of London?" and one replied, "it's better than I ever imagined" and the others nodded in agreement.

The best moment for me on the trip was before we ever got to the airport. A student's father came up to me, tearful because it was the first time his little girl would be away from home, and said, "Oh, thank you. Thank you so much for doing this, teacher. We never could have given her this on our own" and her mother kissed my cheek in gratitude. I had no idea how much that meant to them. For me that's the real paycheck.

London, as always, was full of laughs, memories, and wonder and I can't want to visit my home-away-from-home soon. Until next time, cheers!