The Journey Begins!

I arrived into London Heathrow on Thursday January 10th at 5am, having had little sleep and already passed my first test: dealing with a cancelled flight, rebooking in boston, and navigating the giant airport to reconnect with the group! Despite the challenges, I arrived feeling proud of myself, a bit overwhelmed, and ultimately delighted by the british airways flight attendants and the complimentary red wine served with dinner (chicken and rice with tea and bread) -- so much better than my countless southwest flights of starvation!

Whats London like?? It's HUGE! Our neighborhood alone has SO much in it (Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum ALL in walking distance!) So I've been busy.

Thursday was a tired blur, I fought to stay awake all day with no sleep. I am living in a flat with 18 other people, who I love, and living in a room with 4 of those people. All of us share a kitchen, and so far I've made Thai food that was delicious- - i love the grocery stores here because there is SO MUCH ethnic food for cheap! Thursday night we all went out to dinner using the number 9 bus into Trafalgar Square. The place was pretty crowded and it took a long time for all of us to get seated, 4 at a time. It was paid for though! So I ordered an 8oz steak, which I'll probably never eat again in london, not because it wasn't delicious but because I don't have that kind of $$(=single pound sign)!

Friday we had some orientation meetings and received the oyster card: free access to all of london via bus and tube! After the meeting I got my international cell phone set up and then headed off to meet Rachael Maddox, who was leaving for Florence the next morning! It was so nice to see her and talk for a few hours over sandwiches at a cafe and some comfy couches in the hotel. Friday night I went out to a pub called The Duke of York for my first beer in London (Stella) recommended to me by someone there. We read over the London paper and found out about some upcoming events!

Saturday we had a two hour walking tour followed by a 3 hour bus tour! I was very tired after that, but decided to make thai food and then go out to another pub recommended to us called The Churchill, which I loved! it was all wooden inside and very old with big pots hanging from the ceiling, not only did they have good london brewed beer, BUT they had a thai food menu!! soo i will be going back for dinner soon!

Sunday was another busy day, full of RUSSIA! In the morning I went to a Russian Orthodox Church and heard the most BEAUTIFUL choir, the songs brought tears to my eyes. I guess their choir has sang on lord of the rings soundtracks and stuff. But it was all a bunch of beautiful russian men and women and CUTE babies/children going to church! they all were such beautiful people. I took a nap after that and then went to Trafalgar Square for the Russian new year celebration!! Before entering the mad crowds, I decided to go to the Portrait Gallery where I saw faces like: William Shakespeare, John Donne, Chaucer, Milton, Mary Shelly, Virginia Woolf, SO many more, but I loved seeing those authors who I've spent so much time with in my literature classes right there painted like real people I could say hello to in their young age. ALSO we had our first star-spotting -- CHRIS ROCK walked right by me in the portrait gallery! it was so bizarre.

Around 530 we all took to the russian new year, just in time for the countdown (they were going by the time in russia) the new year consisted of a bunch of fake snow pumped into the sky and lots of yelling, chanting, and singing! After that a russian pop star took to the stage and it was soo great! an attractive russian man singing boy-band-ish songs with back up dancers to spare! We stayed until the metal band which was not worth staying for in terms of music quality considering the pain in my feet from walking all day but I'm glad I saw these old guys rocking out with mullets singing and playing their hearts out. Around 7 I gathered 2 friends and headed to a pub that plays films for a german film and dinner! I saw the lives of others, such a great film! So I heard more Russian and German than English yesterday, I like how international this city is.

Today I decided to make the move to make this blog! Pictures are coming and should be accessible on the right hand side. I'll write when I have amazing days like the past couple! Take care!

Jodi