paris to london

6 years ago, i came back from france and all i could do was think about how to go back.  i did internet research on this for nearly 4 years before i returned to france.  i found myself at a forum for english language assistants in france.  i read each post on just about every topic and became well-versed in every aspect of life in france.

tonight, i find myself doing the same for the u.k.  as impossible as french bureaucracy seems, you eventually get what you came for:  a visa, an o.f.i.i. stamp, something.  they may send you back twice to provide another document you weren't aware about but in the end, there's victory.  with the uk, it seems they are just as tough and impossible-sounding as their french counterpart.  except, people have been denied visas.  the british are super strict (though not as strict as the u.s.)  yep, i'm a little bit worried.  the uk authorities, have very strict guidelines and they are on top of things.

talking about border control, i remember the first time i crossed their borders.  i was going to edinburgh for four days.  i was travelling alone.  i arrived into the city during the evening.  i got to the front of the line and the personnel asked me how many days i was spending in the city.  she then asked what my business in france is and i told her i was studying french.  she then asked me if i came with the other visitors who were in front of me. (nope).  she stamped my passport and that was that.

i don't know why i'm so worried.  this is still not anytime soon and i should feel more confident than anything having all this international traveling experience under my hat.