Best Dance Party Ever!

Today was quite an interesting day! It started out with a trip through the east end markets. I have never seen so many gypsies in my entire life! We got flowers from one who asked us to give her money for the children? So we gave her a pound...stupid Americans.

Anyways, the markets were really interesting. They had great clothes, amazing food- I had a brazilian cheese roll-amazing- and really pretty flowers.

After the markets, there was a rainstorm with the biggest raindrops I have ever seen. 20 minutes later, it was a beautiful sunny day again. This weekend has had incredibly nice weather, considering the past week has been all rain.

Since it cleared up, we went to the Notting Hill Carnival. It was quite literally 2 and a half miles of dancing to carribbean and latino music, a parade that lasted from 11-9, and the most eclectic people you have ever seen. If you are ever in London in August, I absolutely suggest going to the Carnival!

Tomorrow is the first day of classes, and I have my internship meeting to find out what I am doing this semester. Should be exciting!

Cheerio!

Wait, I'm Actually In a Different Country?!

Today, I finally felt like I was abroad. Until now, I had felt like I was just in another city. Sure, it was exciting to get our own apartment and yes, we wouldn't have done it in the States, but it was too urban for me to really get the feel for London.

HOWEVER. Today, we went on a 4 hour long 2 city walking tour of West Minster and London. It was absolutely breathtaking. We started out at Big Ben, which quite literally blew my mind. Parliament was huge! And elaborate. We then walked through the entire city, saw the changing of the guards, borough market place, London Tower, London Bridge, and so so much more!

It was a lot of walking, but I've never seen anything more breathtaking in my whole life. We are definitely going back to take our time and go inside everywhere, walk around the Tate and such.

Two fun facts: Museums in London are FREE. And there are virtually NO SPEED LIMITS. You literally take your life into your own hands walking around here.

Alright well we are off to explore our surrounding area and meet up with some friends.

Off to the East End Marketplace tomorrow!

Cheers darling!

There She Goes...

Hey all!

So today we had our internship meeting... basically they just told us what was expected of us for our work placements and then sent us off to meet with our coordinators. Of course, my coordinator couldn't meet until MONDAY, so I still don't know where I am doing my internship! SO frustrating. But still so exciting.

Tonight our supervisor took us out to a rugby game. I'm pretty sure he was counting on more people coming, but only Lauren, Adam, T.J. and I showed up so he bought our tickets and everything! We had a great time! Rugby is the most amazing sport. They don't wear any pads or anything and they do this really fun circle huddle thing? There was a huge fight too, probably the best part of the whole thing.

Tomorrow we are going to West Minster and Big Ben, the London Eye, Parliament, London Bridge and everything in between! I cannot wait.

We miss everyone at home but we are literally having the time of our lives. We cannot believe that we have only been here 4 days, it feels like a lifetime!

love and miss!

Gillian

Long Day, But So Much Success

Today was the day!

We paid for our flat and moved in! Sounds quite simple doesn't it? Absolutely not. We each had a backpack, 50 pound suitcase and 17 pound suitcase...traveling on the Tube...up 4 flights of stairs? Exhausting.

However as soon as we walked through our GARDEN we couldn't help but be extraordinarily excited! The second we got our stuff inside, we moved the beds around and started decorating. Lauren and I got the big bedroom with two double beds and the boys are sharing a room with two singles. We have a common room with four couches, a coffee table and a dining roomtable and chairs. Our bathroom is relatively clean, as is our kitchen.

We made our first trip to Tesco's today: the London stop and shop equivalent...except it was GIGANTIC. We now have some food in the kitchen, and it finally feels like we are living in London.

We have been visiting friends in other flats and had some friends over tonight, so overall it is quite fun!

Off to sleep for our internship orientation tomorrow!

Cheerio!

A Foggy Day in Londontown..

Besides being of my favorite songs, this more than rings true... it is QUITE rainy here in Londontown...

We have successfully landed! We stayed up for a total of 34 hours.. from waking up Monday morning, traveling 6 hours by plane to Heathrow, waiting an hour in immigration, going to orientation, exploring, flat hunting... we were EXHAUSTED and passed out at 9 o'clock... only 4 your time (so weird).

Today, we found a flat! We started out at 10 with four appointments, fell in love with the first one but in the end decided on the last one we looked at... it has 2 bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and pretty large living/dining room. We got it for wicked cheap and are so excited about it! We now reside in 131 West Kensington Court. No. Big. Deal.

Weirdest thing ever: I have heard maybe 2 people with a british accent? There are a lot more people from eastern countries than locals!

I got a phone, but it only makes calls to my 3 roommates, but if you want to talk we can always skype!

I hope all is well in the states, and I miss you all!

Now, off to an ice cream social and dinner at the 3 Kings!

Gillian

London Calling

So technically, I am in still in the U.S. so this post does not really count... but I figured an introduction would be quite necessary before I jet off to some foreign country!

One week from today, I will be jetting off, with about two hours left, across the Atlantic to cheery ol' England. London, to be more specific. We will be landing at 6 am, having breakfast and orientation, and setting off to find our new flats! (Yes, flats. NOT apartments).

In the meantime, my room looks like a tornado blew through... packing is so much harder than I anticipated! Have you ever tried to fit your entire life into two suitcases? Not an easy feat.

Now that I have checked this off my list, I am going to go try to cross some more things off my list...

LONDON SO SOON!