Orientation

It’s Day Two! We slept great last night in our new home! The beds have very warm comforters on them, so I’m happy. Today was orientation for our class and internship. We walked over to the University London Union, which is like the student center, and were introduced to staff. Our household is excited to hang out there and meet British people. Um...yes. We had Sergeant Paul come talk to us about safety and the laws. That man is seriously funny. We got to hear about the time he got drunk and ordered £2000 of matching luggage. He also told us plenty of horror stories, which simply ended up being hilarious. (Sorry Paul!) The man also informed us that if we see him in a pub we are not to yell out “Sergeant Paul” because then he will have to find somewhere else to go. We then learned more about London transport and such. Our internship placement interviews are fast approaching and we were given maps and directions as well as instructions. I’m hopefully working at a grade school which is located in central London. I will be assisting students with lessons, etc. My interview is Monday! After we finished orientation, Lindsay, Emily, Anna, Mary and I took off to run some much needed errands. We successfully purchased British cell phones (mobiles), made a stop in Boots, the pharmacy or chemist, and had a lovely lunch at EAT. (I am going to hope to add a link to the restaurants so others can enjoy them someday) With a new phone, we are now able to call and text one another in the UK. So a few things I have noticed. British money is a bit confusing. There are £1 and £2 coins and the notes are larger. I need to memorize what each one looks like so I can pay quicker in places. Fashion is also quite interesting. Basically anything goes. I saw a girl in fireman pants and a top. Truly, anything goes. The men do dress very fashionably in their skinny jeans and it looks great. American boys, take note! People also tend to deal with the rain. I have seen several people go about walking without using an umbrella in a light rain. Today was a bit chilly and the wind was insane. And as usual, we had our random showers followed by sun. But I love it.

Oh my goodness! We just had a great adventure! Lindsay, Emily, and I were dying for chocolate so we took off to go to a bakery. And of course we managed to get lost in London and so far out of the way. So we walk past this swanky hotel with men in cape coats and top hats. There was a gaggle of girls behind some road blocks waiting for something. So we asked and they told us they were waiting for Foster the People, aka the people who sing "Pumped Up Kicks." But we didn't feel like staying so we kept walking in pursuit of the bakery. Well then a small group of girls went running after some people, so we stopped to look. They were taking pictures with some girl and Lindsay figures out that it's ELLE FANNING. The actress. Sister of Dakota Fanning. CRAZY. So we ran across a few lanes of traffic and went over. And she said "Hi" to us. I mean seriously. We didn't get a picture with her because her manager took her inside. But whatever! We stood four feet from Elle Fanning. The actress. Best. Night. Ever. Anyways, after realizing we are on the other side of the city, we decided to take the tube back. And we managed to figure it out all by ourselves. I'm so proud. Then we found the bakery and it was closed. So we went to Starbucks. We can got to the bakery anyday, but you cannot see Elle Fanning anyday. No you cannot. Ah! Crazy!

ALSO. We were walking behind two soccer players today with the English Football Association patches on their bags. I'm sure they were important, now we just have to figure out what team they were on...or if they are a part of the Olympic Team?!

Side Note: It doesn't get dark here until like 9:30. That's so weird.

Week One: Day Three: BLC 3