Arrival

I'm sitting in a kitchenette with my roommate Jeanne and friend Anna, eating up the Wi-Fi available in the common areas of our residence hall. We look like internet-starved preteens, hunched over our laptops, typing in silence. Except for the strange noises emanating from our refrigerator.

I arrived at Heathrow airport in London this morning at about 7:50am after a 7.5 hour flight. It was a fairly uneventful flight, except for my first glimpse of London. I was in the center row of 4 seats, so during our descent I had to (somewhat awkwardly and perhaps rudely) gawk over the British couple to my right, but when we finally dipped low enough beneath the clouds to see civilization, I became VERY giddy.

I managed to meet up with 3 other IES students at the airport and we grabbed a cab together -- which only cost us 15GBP (Great British Pounds) per person, including tip! Well worth not handling our luggage on the Tube.

Our residence hall is in an EXCELLENT part of town -- Chelsea. There are tons of great stores, restaurants, and pubs within walking distance. Apparently Dustin Hoffman lives nearby.

Since my arrival it's been all about running errands, getting an oyster card (which I will use to ride the Tube every day to and from class), buying a UK pay-as-you-go mobile phone (for 5GBP!) and fitting things into our ridiculously small room. Jeanne and I are still struggling to remember that we can really only open one door at a time. One closet door, or the bathroom door, or the room door. All others must be closed in order to maneuver!

For the record, it is VERY difficult to remember that cars drive on the left. Even as a pedestrian. The walkways tell you which way to look. Literally, as you come to a pedestrian walkway, the ground says, "LOOK RIGHT" or "LOOK LEFT." To the city of London, from sleep-deprived Americans like me, I send you many thanks.

One of my favorite purchases so far? A Jack Daniels Whiskey and Coke. In a can. Already mixed. For my convenience.

So far the people in the program seem really great! I found a girl who is in both of my classes, so we will be Tube buddies! We are also in the process of making plans to see a Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire concert in Hyde Park (JEALOUS?!) and to go to the last Harry Potter Premiere to scream like little girls at the celebs.

Time for me to sign off. It's been at least 12 hours since I've had a legitimate meal. Off to Pizza Express! (Not to be confused with the branch in Btown, Indiana.)

Cheerio!