Homestay Weekend

Hello Friends and Family! Lets chat about the weekend with the host family. We got flowers for our host mommies and took a 45 minute bus trip south to Surrey. Totally not what I expected AT ALL. Instead of being the country club lifestyle our Mr. Lecture man told us about we were basically staying in the projects. Jan doesn't have a car so her brother Ted picked us (Jessica is the other girl that stayed with me) up and took us to Devonshire, aka shit hole land. It was one of those apartment buildings (aka flats) where people hang their clothes up outside on lines to dry. Jan doesn't have a job. Apparently she just hosts random study abroad students and her housing is paid for by the government. If you are a single mother in England the government pays for EVERYTHING and they give you an allowance each week depending on the number of kids etc.

The first night we had a meal consisting of frozen chicken, frozen broccoli, and potatoes...not too bad. Then we proceded to watch 2 hours of British television, which if you were wondering is absolutely horrible. Soap operas are HUGE over there...apparently everyone watches them...and just like soap operas in America, they suck. We watched two soap opera shows, a really bad sitcom, and Family Guy. It was my frist Family Guy experience but it is actually a really funny show! Jan smokes and drinks a lot of tea, probably about ten cups a day.

On Saturday we all went on the bus, sans host families, and hung out at the Queen's crib in Windsor. It was then that I decided, that although Prince Harry would love me. Royalty life is not for me. Too many rules, and traditions, and intricate plates. Someone told me that last time the Queen traveled to the states she brought two suitcases filled with silk gloves. Geez O Peterson! Jan's grandson, Ryan (age 9) was there Saturday afternoon and Sunday and he reallly likes darts, so we played like 800 games of darts.

As evening came around, the thought of watching another soap opera or playing another game of darts with a sall child made me gag, so Jessica and I asked if we could go to a local pub for a little bit. Jan was cool with that, so we hopped in a taxi and went to a place called RSVP. Initially we thought it was a pub, but it magically turned into a dance club of slightly trashy English persons throughout the night. It was hilarious. We made some friends and played a few games of British pool. Which is basically pool for retards. They have solid colored blue balls, solid colored yellow balls, and an eight ball. Kind of limits your options on game selection. Anyways the night was good and we left in the morning.

Today when we got home Erin and I went grocery shopping which was an EXPERIENCE. Our grocery store is like 20 minutes away (walking) and it was absolutely packed. You would have thought they were giving food away. Since the store was so far away we had to take a taxi home. Next time I think I'm going to bring my wheely luggage to put my groceries in. haha I understand that sounds completely stupid but I think its a good idea.

I have to get in the shower stat because we are going out to eat for our friend Christine's 21st bday! And hopefully kereoking later haha. Love you all!