Day 2! After a long, long, long day, including airport chaos with my late night flight being delayed, and barely sleeping, I FINALLY made it to London! Luckily, met a girl in my program in the customs line, which made the whole experience of being in a foreign airport a lot easier. Together we found our way to our program's representative and proceeded to a hotel for an overnight to start our Orientation.
Unlike Quinnipiac's orientation this one was filled with sightseeing and walking, and not singing, screaming, loving, dancing people in aqua polos ;)....but it still fun. We walked the central part of London, saw Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament among other landmarks. I was so happy I didn't even remember my EXTREME fear of heights as I rode the London Eye, a Ferris Wheel that is over a mile high. The view from the top was absolutely amazing, and especially because surprisingly I've seen GREAT weather, only a 5-minute downpour since I've been here! The rest has been all sunshine and few clouds here and there.
Today we sat through presentations learning transportation and etiquette of London. Things to say and things not to say, and where to go and how to get there. The Brits are very proper people, and won't go out of their way to be nice to you, and there are so many British words that I've never heard of. Even though we speak the same language in the States, we really don't.
Just a few hours ago, we were brought to our residence hall, where we will be living for the rest of the semester. Unpacking and getting everything organized is making this whole experience even "realer" than it already is! At home I'd be in class for almost a month, but here I am sightseeing and living this dream life as I start class next week!
Tomorrow I see Buckingham Palace, and meet Queen Elizabeth and her new daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton for tea.....just kidding! But I'll do my best to make that happen while I'm here, as impossible as it may seem. I am seriously going to the Palace though, and maybe hopefully I'll take some funny pictures with guards in the process.
Last night we were exhausted so tonight I'm looking forward to the first night on the town with my group! There are about 20 of us from all over the U.S., we're all getting to know each other as we embark on this amazing, crazy journey together.
This whole experience seems not even real to me...um, I'm in London?? Just too amazing for words. As we drove past Big Ben today on the way to our housing, I thought, "Wow, we're going to be passing that everyday like it's no big deal." How cool is that?
Check back in soon for another update from the other side of the Atlantic! I'm sure this weekend and the upcoming week will result in many stories and experiences for me to share!
This is still just the beginning, cheers to that!
