So for all of you out there wondering if I made it...I did!! The day (Saturday) started off with mom and I trying to solve the packing crisis...how to make 56 pounds of stuff fit when the weight limit is 50 pounds. Because my parents are both rock stars we managed to make everything fit. Everything that is except the rain boots and umbrella that I am beginning to think were possibly two key items on this adventure but oh well! With my things packed and loaded into the car it was off to the airport. That's when the water works started and I got a little teary eyed at the thought of leaving everyone for 4 months. The people in the security line probably thought I was a little nuts but oh well!
I got the the gate with plenty of time and proceeded to board the plane only to discover that the airline gods blessed me not with a regular economy ticket but with an economy plus ticket (5 whole inches more of leg room, people. not that I really need it but still!). The flight wasn't full but of course I had someone sitting next to me pinning me into my beloved window seat. He was a nice English bloke but I couldn't understand a word he said, this is when the "hmmm, I thought they spoke English here" thoughts started to creep in! 1 book, 1 movie, 1 interesting airline meal, 1 can of coke, and 8 hours later we were landing at London Heathrow Airport at a ripe 7:55 AM. I gathered my bags, managed not to get in trouble when going through customs and made my way out of terminal one. Only to discover that the other girl from U of I in my program was not on my flight or anywhere to be found. I called the house to check in (yes, it was 2AM) and managed to find Rae after stumbling my way through the airport half asleep, starving, and with blisters since I neglected to take advantage of the airports free baggage cart things.
Then we got something to eat and this is when the comedy comes in. I had traded some American money for a family friends leftover British Pounds the day before I left so I wouldn't have to worry about exchanging at the airport. I pick up my bottle of water and lemon muffin and hand the man a 20 pound bill only to have him give me a funny look and say something. My jet lagged state did not allow me to fully comprehend what he was saying and at first I thought he was saying that my bill was too big and he didn't have the change to break it. After a second of blank stares I realized not that he had said your bill is too big but your bill is too old. HUH?! Since when does money get too old to use? Being a quick thinker I pulled out my British Pounds Debit card and said he could use that since I didn't have any other pounds. He swiped it and asked for my pin...good question, I thought. Luckily I had written down the pin to my card in my notebook before I left for situations like these but my notebook was across the hall so I had to run and go get it. Lets just say I did not leave my best first impression on the British!
I finally got my money changed into "new" bills with shiny silver decal things and waited a couple hours for the bus to take me to school. In that waiting time I met a girl from Australia and a plethora of Canadians. I found my room okay and have yet to unpack. I haven't eaten a real meal yet because thus far the cafeteria food is a bit shady but maybe (hopefully) it will improve! Campus is BEAUTIFUL...very green and sprawling. My dorm is kind of like U of I but I don't have a roommate and my floor is mixed boys and girls (not sure how I feel about this yet as the boys across the hall are quite loud!). Everyone has been SO nice and welcoming so I think that good things are to come, even though it will take a couple days to adjust to everything. Tears have been shed but not totally out of sadness but from sensory overload! Skyping with the family and Kaitlin and Anna was a nice end to the day and now I'm off to unpack, read through the bundle of info the school gave me to read, and take a shower (it's been a while : / ).
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts people have expressed to me and the family, they are so appreciated! I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow to post. Sorry if this entry was a bit dry, there's not too much excitement coming from a day of travel but don't fret...as long as I am involved there are bound to be laughs to come!
Love from London,
Stacey
