London Orientation and Leeds Arrival

We made it to England! It was so hard saying goodbye to my family but I know that I will experience so much while I am here and before I know it, I will be on a flight back home. I have just finished my orientation in London and it was so much fun! Jennifer and I were so tired when we landed and we had to take the Tube to our hotel. Because it was so crowded and we had our luggage, we almost didn't get off at our stop in time. Thankfully, Jennifer is a quick thinker and just as the doors were closing, she managed to shove her luggage in the way (and then we had to sit there for about 30 seconds waiting for the doors to open again with a bunch of annoyed English people staring at us and thinking "stupid Americans!"). It was hilarious!

The Harlingford Hotel

There were 34 students in our orientation group from California who would either be going to the University of Leeds or the University of Bristol. On our first day (January 20th), we met the other students and learned about life in the UK. Then our program leaders took us to dinner at a restaurant called Byron Proper Burgers, which was very good.

Our British Goody Bags: Still Scottish Mountain Water, Sainsbury's Apple and Orang Juice, Walkers Salt & Vinegar Crisps, Cadbury Curly Wurly, McVitie's Mini Digestives, Jacob's Cream Crackers, Pen and Tote

 Day 2 was full of activity! We began the day with a full English breakfast. Then, we learned how to take the Tube and it was so scary! We went during rush hour and with 34 American students, we stuck out like a sore thumb. Half of our group didn't get on the Tube fast enough so they had to catch the next one. Those drivers do not care if you are half way in, they WILL shut the door on you. On the elevators in the Tube stations, everyone stands in a line on the right side. The left side is used for the people who want to rush past and if you are standing in the way, they will run you over. Everything is so fast-paced in London and it definitely takes some getting used to.

After the chaotic Tube ride, we were given a tour at the Tate Modern museum, which is full of modern art pieces. We walked to Oxford Street for some lunch and free time where we could purchase our international phones to use while at school. On the way there, we passed by the St. Paul's Cathedral where Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married. It was so pretty! I couldn't figure out how to get the date stamp off of the picture below, but I had to post it!

St. Paul's Cathedral

After lunch, we took a double decker bus to Trafalgar Square where we met out tour guide for the rest of the day. She was a cute little English woman who had a morbid sense of humor. We passed by a building that was somehow associated with the Navy (I don't remember exactly what she said about it) when the front wooden gates opened. She told us that you rarely see the gates opened, then preceded to warn us not to take pictures or the guards might shoot us. This was all said with a straight face so I have no idea if she was joking or not.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

The next part of the tour was amazing! We got to see the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben (which is actually not the clock, but the bell inside the tower)! It was so surreal to see them in person.

The London Eye

Big Ben

The Houses of Parliament

Right around the corner, we came across the Westminster Abbey. It was literally the most beautiful building I have ever seen in my life and my favorite part of the tour. Jennifer and I plan on going back to London when we have more time so that we can take a tour of the Abbey. The pictures do it no justice!

Westminster Abbey (Front)

Westminster Abbey (Side)

For the last part of the tour, we walked around St. James's Park to Buckingham Palace. It is huge! The tour guide also pointed out Prince Charles's house, which is off to the side as you walk toward Buckingham Palace. We got there just as the sun was going down and the light was bouncing perfectly off of the bronze statue in front of the palace. The statue is called the Victoria Memorial in remembrance of Queen Victoria.

That night, we were taken to Sartori, a cute little Italian restaurant where we ordered meter long pizzas! They were so tasty! To end the day, we went to see One Man, Two Guvnors, a British comedy that was playing at the London Theatre in Leicester Square. It was my favorite day that we had in London.

The next morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed to King's Cross Station (where I had to get a picture crossing over Platform 9 3/4. I got to wear a Gryffindor scarf and felt just like I was in Harry Potter!)

Our train ended up being a little delayed because someone was hit by a train at another station further down the track. It was a little scary and we weren't exactly sure how we were going to make it to campus but we ended up catching a train an hour or two later and made our way to the University of Leeds. We have some more orientations coming up and I'm staying in a temporary residence until my permanent one opens up in about a week.

Train ride to Leeds

The view outside of my temporary accommodation. And yes, that is a cemetery right below my window. 

Sorry for the long post, our wifi wasn't working that well at the hotel. I'm hoping to have another post up soon once classes have started and I've got settled in. On a side note, IT IS SO COLD HERE! Supposedly, there's a storm heading our way that should hit on the 26th and it will be very windy! We may even get some snow on Monday. Wish me luck! I love and miss everyone back home and can't wait to hear from you guys!