Tea and Scones

Total hours of flight "delay": 21 hrs...no big deal. The flight wasn't bad at all thanks to Jillian and my tiny pink sleeping pill. We woke up in time for breakfast, which consisted of a pastry type shenanigan, a yogurt, and a coffee. Customs was a breeze and there was no lost luggage! Plus one for United. We make a call to Andrew Downs (our study abroad representative) and he gives us directions of how to get to the airport.

Problem 1: my debit card doesn't work in the ATM machine. So Erin and I are on the IOU system until my permanent card is sent.
Problem 2: my bags weigh more than my body. It's one thing if you have two 50 pound rolling suitcases, but it is an entirely different story if you have one 50 pound rolling suitcase and one 50 pound duffle. Now it just becomes a juggling act and a test of strength. Oh, lets not forget my large woman purse and soccer sized back pack I was carrying too. So basically I was dealing with a weight distribution problem yesterday.

We navigated ourselves to the Heathrow Express which took us to downtown London. Next we had to find the taxis (there was a line that zig zagged around the train station that said "Taxis, this way"...very convenient). This is when the bag situation was getting a little serious. So, as some of you have witnessed, I set the duffle bag on the ground, put the straps on like a back pack and made Erin help me stand up. Yes people were staring, and possibly giggling, and besides the sore back and shoulders that I am suffering from currently, I believe it was a great idea.

Etc. Etc. Etc. (I think people say that here) We finally got to orientation about an hour late. And as Zach had warned me, orientation is synonymous for naptime. Here's what I learned in orientation yesterday:

• They have a fucked up chocolate candy naming system. Mars Bars are actually Milky Ways, Milky Ways are 3 musketeers, and Snickers are a completely different ball game.
• The night bus is super creepy.
• The phrase "Having kittens" means you have a lot of shit going on and you are super stressed out about it.
• The traffic flow is completely opposite from what we are used to, and pedestrians do not have ultimate right of way like they do in the US, so we should probably try and not get hit by a bus when we are drunk. (they have "look left" "look right" written on the sidewalks to ensure American safety.)

And thats about it. We had three members of parliment come in for a Q&A sesh, which was extremely entertaining because they started arguing (which is apparently completely normal) in a very open and blunt manner. "I'm sorry but I do not believe that your previous statement has a sliver of truth in it. I don't know where you came up with that idea but it is completely and utterly inaccurate."

After the debate we did a little walk around. We went to St. Paul's church (not the same as St. Paul's cathedral) and got a little personalized tour from the minister and free 2009 diaries aka agendas/planners. We saw a street performer climb on top of a ladder and juggle swords, followed by a completely disgusting bum who whipped out a bottle of wine and started chugging it in the middle of the street performance. Then we headed to Trafalgar square (pictured here, I promise I will upload real pictures once I get my battery) and went to the National Gallery for tea, scones, and mini sandwhiches. They were delicious.

Some lady took us to get our luggage and dropped us off at our place (Redcliffe Gardens) which is AMAZING! (Again, I will add pics soon, but the one below is almost exactly what my place looks like!) My building is 4 stories tall (each floor is essentially called a flat) Erin and I live on the first floor flat with a girl named Allie. Erin and I have our own room which is massive...its supposed to be a triple, so we have an extra bed. (all the other girls came in yesterday and were completely jealous. haha suckers.) Allie has her own room. We have a kitchen, a common area, and two bathrooms. I think there are about 16 or 17 other people that live here as well, all very nice people! We have a washer and dryer at our place, although its 1.6 pounds per wash and dry, and apparently the dryer doesn't work too well.

Last night after we got settled a little bit we went out with about 6 or 7 people from our building. Nothing too special for night one, except I had my first Big Mac because it was the only fast food place open! Pubs close at 12 here, which is completely lame, but the clubs are open late which is fabulous.

Since I dont have any sheets or a duvet cover for my bedspread I didn't really sleep at all last night, aka why I am up so freaking early blogging. We have another full day of "naptime" today and tonight we have free tickets to We Will Rock You, which is a musical based off of Queen songs. All of my close friends, especially Alex Staples, understand that in a normal situation "Queen" and "musical" would make me want to punch someone in the face, but everyone is going, and afterwards we are going to go out so it should be a good time.

Be on the lookout for the beret's first stop...good chances it will be with my host family this weekend (Wayne and Jan!) I love you all and miss you much.