Laura's Bosnia Blog-Part 4 - 9/12/09

Saturday, September 12, 2009, 2:30 p.m. BST What a difference a real bed makes!  I had a great night’s sleep and woke up refreshed and ready for a new day.  I met my friend, Janet, who is here in London from France for breakfast.  We had a leisurely meal and then headed out for a walk in Hyde Park.

You see, there is something very special going on there this evening.  Every year since 1865, the BBC has put on a 2-month series of concerts called the Proms.  It is a classical concert series that culminates in a special event on the final night, which just happens to be tonight.  There will be approximately 80,000 people throughout Europeattending this evening’s performance which will take place in 6 locations.  I am going to attend the Hyde Park concert called Proms in the Park and the headliner just happens to be none other than Barry Manilow.  The UK fans are just wild about him, so Janet and I met up with several of them who are already “queuing” up.  It was fun to meet some ladies that I've only "chatted" with online.

They are camping out for the day, just waiting for the gates to open at 4:00 pm.  Angela and I are going to head over to the park around 4:30, bringing a picnic dinner.  We’ll enjoy the 5-hour evening event and I’m sure Barry won’t let us down!  It will be Angela’s first time ever to see Barry, so it will be fun to share that with her.  I’ve told several of my friends that there will be two shows to watch this evening, the one Barry will be putting on and the one the UK fans will be putting on!  It should be quite entertaining! Tomorrow we will leave for Dubrovnik and I’m so looking forward to the next part of my adventure.  I’m not sure what my internet access will be while in Croatia and Bosnia, but I’m hoping to write a little bit each day.  I just can’t imagine what it will be like, getting off the plane in Dubrovnik....the first time I will be in a country where my language is not the native language.  I’m sure it will be a bit intimidating, but exciting, all the same.  I am glad that I’m travelling there with the other 5 women.  I didn’t hesitate to fly into London alone, but Croatia is another story.  Once I’ve done it, though, I think it would be a little easier to try it on my own.  I generally get anxious when I do anything for the first time.  I guess that’s pretty normal.  Well, I’m off to do my final preparations for our travel tomorrow and then it’s off to the Proms.  Should be a fun evening.....