The flight over went just fine. No major travel hiccups. I boarded the plane in Boise around 9:30 AM, left Portland at noon and flew all the way to Amsterdam. After the 10 hour flight I ended up in Amsterdam at 8:00 local time. The flight was super long and I managed to have the only three people under the age of 2 on the entire plane seated directly in front of and behind me. I also had no idea that children could physically scream for 10 hours. Needless to say, I got no sleep. I got to amsterdam and bought a phone card so I could call mom and dad at home. I sat and stared at the phone and the dutch all over it, tried swiping my card several times, and finally gave up and called collect. It was very reassuring to know that I only had to be in a foreign speaking country for 9 hours! I rented a room in a Yotel, which is this hotel in the airport with these tiny rooms. I had a bed, toilet, tv, desk, wireless internet, and most importantly a shower in the square footage of the bathroom I left in Boise! I slept and took a much needed shower and felt ready for my flight to london. I left Amsterdam at 4:50 and arrived in London at 5:10 (with a one hour time difference)
It took me nearly an hour to get all the way through the border, there was a huge line, but I managed with no problem. the border agent didn't question me, didn't ask for additional documents, nothing. Just looked at my passport and sent me on my way. Wielding three piece of luggage and finding the cab driver proved to be interesting, but I found everything and was proud of my airport navigating abilities.
First observation upon arriving in London: the wheel is on the other side of the car! I knew this, I had heard it millions of times, but seeing it was so surprising! Also, the traffic was crazy, and I am so glad I do not have to drive in this city! There were so many twists and turns and one ways and roundabouts, and the list goes on, but it was good to finally arrive.
I found my flat and checked in. The flat is tiny- six rooms all connected by a skinny hallway. All of our rooms and then the common room, which includes a small seating area and a pretty good sized kitchen. The setup is really weird, and the doors all shut automatically. I feel like the walls are kind of caving in, but I will get used to it. The sorority house is a lot bigger, and is filled with so many more people. I have already started to miss K∆. My room, roommates, kitchen, everything. the adjustment will come eventually, I know it will, but the adjustment is just so big! I did meet all my flatmates, but I know little to nothing about most of them, so I will spare you the details, because I have none.
The first night I was there I went out with two of my flatmates and a couple other girls. we found a couple pubs in Camdentown, the area we are living in, and also some food. I was exhausted, so after the trek home I thought I would crash. Then I started to unpack. Exhaustion eventually took over and I had to go to bed so I could wake up for the tour the next day. I must have laid in bed for two hours before I fell asleep, my mind was racing about everything, and to be honest, I was feeling a little unsure about the whole thing. I mean, I just moved to a completely different country, in a completely different part of the world where I knew no one.
Sunday was better. People from the school took us on a walking tour of London. (I will try to figure out how to post pictures on here) We got to see all the major sights of London. I am continually overwhelmed by the amount of history. I saw buildings and walked down streets today that were hundreds of years old. I have never been around anything that has this much history. Highlights of the tour included Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Green park, Picadilly Circus, Covenant Garden, Pall Mall, and many others. Being able to just walk around the city was probably the coolest thing. There is so much more I want to see and do, and the tour helped me to know where thins were, so I can be sure to revisit.
I also learned to navigate the Tube (which, by the way, is actually shaped like a tube. Who knew?) it is so much more user friendly than the subway in NYC. Which, I have little to no experience with, so my judgement may not be entirely valid. Me and one flatmate and a couple other girls went and found groceries after the tour was over. I shopped at the UK equivalent of the dollar store, aka the 99 pence store (which is actually a little deceiving, because 99 pence in about equal to 1.65 dollars) Grocery shopping in a city is a new experience, and having to carry all your purchases was a pain in the butt! You have to buy much less so you can actually carry everything, I totally overdid it, so lesson learned, buy fewer groceries more often.
The environment of the students is really weird. I feel like everyone applied and came to the school with someone they knew. I am pretty sure I am the only person from Idaho (one girl clarified that I was in fact from the same city as the blue turf) And many have to really think to determine where Idaho is. (Did anyone else have to learn the states and capitals in 5th grade?) It seems like nearly everyone is from the east coast and most attend school in large cities, (NYC, DC, Chicago, Miami.) I am feeling very alone! I have already been able to connect with some people, and I know it will get better, I mean it is only the first day. Plus, I know having a regular schedule and a good idea of where and when I will be spending my time will be a huge help.
For now, I am off to bed. Tomorrow is a new day, and will be fun and exciting, right now I am taking it one day at a time. I have so much to learn, and that is the best way. I love and miss everyone at home, pictures are coming soon, I promise!
Goodnight from London!
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