Hello from London! 

I am studying abroad for two semesters at Queen Mary’s College in London’s east end.  Then, it’s back to Salt Lake City for my senior year of college.  I’ve only been in London since Friday the 11^th, but I have an overwhelming amount to write already. 

On Friday, a car picked me up from Heathrow airport.  Since I was the only one getting picked up right then, I hopped into the front seat (yes, the left one)—I was like Why not?  Well, I’ll tell you why not: London drivers are scary.  Actually, so are London pedestrians, who seemed to appear mere inches from the car.  I thought someone was going to get killed.  The driver was very talkative, pulling out his phone to show me pictures of friends as my knuckles turned white gripping the sides of my seat.  He was bitter about being a car driver—he used to be an accountant but got laid off.  However, he’s trying to stay positive about his job, learning all he can from his customers.  I taught him the correct way to say ”Minnesota,” for example.  Invaluable.  Anyway, we made it to the hotel safely, and the drive was a good wake up call for me to be careful walking around London.

At the hotel, I met Rachael and Robin, Eurolearn peeps who have been helping me out through the whole preparation process, and some other Eurolearn students.  My roommate at the hotel was Caroline, and we clicked immediately.  Something I find admirable about Caroline: once she is awake, she is awake.  No grouchy and incomprehensible mumblings and shuffling around.  With her, it’s: “What’s up.”  Clear, businesslike, and ready to go.  She’s in Scotland at the moment, studying Civil Engineering. 

That night, we had dinner at a pub—traditional British food, only mini.  Little pies, little fish and chips, and, um, spicy chicken wings and hamburgers.  Maybe they were trying to ease us into the different food by blending in some American stuff?

The second day we went to Buckingham palace and had a headphones tour.  It was impressive,  but all the tapestry and glam and glitter got to be so expected in each room that by the end of the tour it was not all that breathtaking.   Also, not a big fan of headphones tours on a time restraint—I find it hard to concentrate because I’m so worried about where everyone else is on the tour.  But still.  Pretty cool.

That night, we went to a medieval banquet.  It was a dinner entertainment kind of deal.  Actors and actresses were dressed up in medieval costumes and performed songs and skits as we ate.  It was an odd mix of new and old: pretty sure Lady Jane had triple pierced ears.  Afterward, Lady Gaga music and disco lights.  Bizarre?  Yes.  But a fun experience.  That night we hung out at the bar downstairs at our hotel.

The next day we had a double-decker bus tour.  In the evening we went to the Globe Theater to see The Merry Wives of Windsor.  This was my favorite BCP activity.  We stood right in front of the stage!  The cast was unbelievably talented—plus I had never seen that particular play before.  It was hilarious!  I felt this great connection between the people on stage and the audience, and throughout the audience itself, enjoying this play written so long ago and brought to life in such a significant location. 

Okay, I’m not even through telling you about the BCP stuff, but I have to go meet my friend to buy bedsheets!  I slept under a towel last night! 

More later!