Wow...

Where to start.....So last week we went to Amsterdam! It is so beautiful there, all the canals and old houses! There is no space to spare, a lot of those houses are hundreds of years old, they are on long 40 foot poles that keep them from sinking. They have settled though and some strips look like Dr.Suess houses, strangly lopsided. We stayed at The American Hotel, which was lovely. We rented bicycles and it took me a while and a few near death experiences before I finally felt comfortable! We went all over, biking is really the best way to get around, and we totally lucked out on the weather! We did it up that night and had a marvalous time! (The details of this event will appear in my book someday....a few stories I shouldn't share in case I ever want to run for public office!) Then we came back to London, staying at Roge's again, The boys worked on putting up Gaz's Rockin Blues Sound System for the Notting Hill Carnival while I shopped the Portabella market and hung around. The theme was Super heros and they took up a block with Gotham City and the Daily Planet etc...It looked awesome! Then we spent 2 days hanging out backstage there. It was by far the coolest sound system....everyone dressed up, great music blasting....I felt like I was in the coolest place anyone could possibly be at in the world! This is the 2nd biggest street carnval in the world, 2nd to Rio DeJeniero. Hung out with Mick and Paul from The Clash....met lots of cool people. (I'm getting exhausted again just thinking about it!) Such a small world: Gaz (whose sound system it was) is friends with Rog (that's why the boys helped build it and we got to hang there) and Gaz is good friends with our Joey Altruda from LA! AND Joey's sister Judy and her husband Liam were in town Sunday and we all met backstage at Gaz's!!!! So crazy right? These small world stories keep happening! We went to so many parties and were so well looked after by Rog. Rog and and went to Eamen and Sandra Walker's that night (Othello) for a fabulous late night! The second day, Lily Allen made a complete fool of her drunken self, getting up on stage with Bobby Kray, a great white reggae star who had the biggest buzz on him....she was off her face and so embaressing, making fun of the back up singers, Pushing Bobby off the stage! "How dare she!" seemed to be the word and we all wished Eamen had been there to take her off stage. Bobby later poured a Guiness over her head to cheers of the crowd. A lot of our crew know her and her family etc, and they were all mortified. Later that night we were all at the local pub The Cow when lily fell over drunk, flat on her face and no one did anything. Finally someone put her in a cab since her friends had all abandoned her...That's the best gossip I got! So basically, I just had a crazy week! Then we came down here to Bristol and have stayed 2 nights at the Avon Gorge hotel, which is Gorgeous! The view of the old suspension bridge is incredible! I can totally see why people love it here! Yesterday was Norm's birthday! We were both sick though, and so was Rog....we can't quite figure if it is a bug or a combo of the exhausting week etc. But last night we went to H.T.'s for a small gathering of friends with food, drinks, a Lizzie Melling organic chocolate cake (incredible!), and video from summer camp! So funny! I have some vids from carnival too, I'm going to figure out how to post them....We go back to London this evening and get ready to fly to China on Tuesday! I can't believe it is finally here! Crazy! There is a lot I have left out I'm sure, I'll try to go back and fill in. Everyone is being super cool though! Rog is a great host and Norm's a great tour guide. I'm feeling so lucky to be having all these experiences and meeting so many wonderful people along the way! Best to you and lots of love! Amelia