London, here I come!
Well I thought I would start the habit of keeping my blog VERY current and detailed right away. I haven’t even gotten to London. I actually have 4 more hours on the plane before we get there. Talk about a long flight. I have already finished the script I have to read for tomorrow, taken a nap, and played enough solitaire on my iPod to make it less fun.
So far the trip has involved me having to leave probably half my stuff at home because my suitcase was EXTREMELY overweight L (goodbye heels). I get to the airport and have to get rid of 5.5 lbs which I put in the HUGE aldi’s bag my mom gave me for this exact purpose. I then sit in the terminal realizing that I am only supposed to have one carryon. I then start freaking out trying to figure out what to do with my extra bag. I eventually decided to just try and walk through and see if they say anything. They don’t. Haha who is surprised that I was stressing over nothing? Not me. I can’t help but feel like I forgot something I will really need once I land. Oh well, too late now.
London, I have arrived!
This is a two part post. I am no in London. As soon as we started descending I looked out of the window and saw the beautiful green land below, instant butterflies. We got off the plane and headed to customs, I was terrified. All I had to remember was that I was coming into the country as a “student visitor” and I panicked when she asked. Luckily they did not deport me, however I was definitely sweating after the “interrogation.” It wasn’t all that bad, I was just scared, I did not want to get deported. We then went to get our luggage.
Can I just say that I a pretty sure the luggage carousel (I think that is what you call it) in Europe is soooooo much faster than in the states. I literally chased by bag around. It was so embarrassing. Eventually a woman tried to help me and ended up pulling it on this man’s foot. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough I realize I have to carry by 50+ lbs suitcase up all the stairs and as I was struggling a man comes up behind me and gives me a patronizing look as he offers to help. Luckily I was too grateful to be too embarrassed at the time.
We then bought our oyster cards and got on the tube headed for the Gloucester station where we got off and walked through London to get to our apartments. The walk was amazing, the weather was amazing, and the buildings were amazing, basically I made a fool of myself walking around with my mouth open. Our flats are just as I said DIRECTLY across from Hyde Park. It is beautiful. I am going to go for a run tomorrow through Hyde Park, crazy and wonderful to say.
When we finally walked into the building and saw the program directors Phil and Roger I was so relieved. It was wonderful to see their welcoming faces. I was able to unpack take a nap before my roommates go there. We then got food, went to a group meeting, took a tour immediately around the area, then we went grocery shopping, and finally back to the flat to work on homework and get some rest for tomorrow. I am sure you didn’t want all of these details but I am just so excited. I know this is going to be a great 6 weeks. Well time to get ready for bed. Ttfn.
I would like to take this moment to thank a few people who really made this trip possible for me. Starting with my parents, you know what sacrifices you made and I wish I could adequately tell you how grateful I am for that! Next I would like to thank my Grandpa and Grandma Weatherford for doing everything in your power to help me. Once again, words cannot sufficiently express. Thank you Mimi and Papa, Aunt Amy Meyer, Olivia, for that little extra help, it was more than you would think. I love all of you so much. I will be thinking about you throughout this entire experience.
p.s. here is a little tease picture. This is just me outside of the Chicago airport. More to come, I promise.
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