So, the first thing I've learned from traveling to England: It seems that no circumstance will cure me of being a notorious procrastinator. We've been here for over 3 weeks and I've yet to post anything! (To be fair, I did lose some time while sick, however, that can't be my entire excuse ;) )
Anyways, since I have so much to cover, I've decided to begin with some general observations and then each subsequent post will describe highlights from the trip so far.
Most notable observations:
This part of England resembles the Midwest in a lot of ways (lots of trees, fall weather) - but that makes the small differences stand out that much more. For instance, and though I was expecting it and have experienced it before, the fact that the English drive on the wrong side of the road is still an issue - especially when crossing streets. And whenever I'm in a vehicle, I can't help but look out the front windshield and I'm always SURE that we're going to crash into the cars coming towards us...it doesn't matter how many times it happens, my stomach always jumps around with that slight, panicky feeling.
Even more terrifying than the left side-right side issue, however, are the roundabouts. It's a system of streets that seems to substitute for an intersection, but the true intention of it, I admit, is still lost on me. Everytime I've come across them, the driver has been going too fast for me to really think about it...and when we've tried to CROSS them, well, it takes too much concentration to figure out if the car is heading straight for you or if it's going to veer off at the last second, making that precise moment the only time you can make a break for it....it's intense. ;)
The most common differences, for me, occur in the language. I've actually gotten pretty accustomed to the accents, though it's much easier to understand the people we spend the most time with. And though we speak the same language, there are many common things that simply have different names here...the four that have taken the most getting used to: Cheers = Thanks, toilet = bathroom, ring = call, and flat = floor/apartment (it took me forever to figure out when to say "on my flat" or "in my flat"...still not sure I have it right).
In all of the traveling I've done, I've found that for almost any length of time, it's true that people are creatures of habit. Almost immediately, I've noticed that we search out routines, something we can return to day after day, and it's been no different here. So, without further ado - things which have become routine:
Flat 3: Though I love the people on my flat, Flat 3 (Katie and Amanda's flat) has become a sort of homebase for the four of us. It's where we met Aiden and Sharna (our most constant companions here =) ) and it's where we find ourselves simply spending time in the kitchen, the community area for each flat. I swear I knew the names and faces of people on Flat 3 before I knew those of the people I actually live with! (don't worry though, it's definitely more equal now!)
Happy Days Diner: Among the many, many restaurants and bars and take away places to eat on campus, we find ourselves repeatedly frequenting Happy Days, the American diner (ironic, huh?) It's covered with pictures from the 50s (pics of the actual Happy Days, Grease, Marilyn Monroe, etc.) There's even a jukebox! It reminds me a lot of 50s Prime Time cafe in Disney, though the menu, try as they might, is not exactly American (for instance, there's a whole section for 'jackets' - which are jacket potatoes, which are baked potatoes with toppings such as cheese, beans, etc. ....and on the dessert portion, you can order American pancakes! Oh and flapjacks here are completely separate things than pancakes; here, they're more of a dessert cereal bar)
And finally - Things I've found I miss more than I expected:
-KAUFMAN! (who woulda thunk? But those prepared meals are looking pretty good in my mind's eye about now...and ready made coffee?! oh man, it's gonna be good to be back)
-Sliced cheese (I've only found grated or blocks so far)
-Oesterle Library (the organization! The atmosphere! Rosemary Henders! ...though the library here does have some pretty nifty lifts...I won't spoil the surprise for you Adg, but it's definitely on the list of things to see ;) )
-Assigned readings (most of my classes do have assigned readings that everybody reads, but for the ones that don't, where you just "read what you like" you can feel the disjointedness of the discussion that follows)
And of course, things I expected to miss:
Mi familia y mis amigos!!!!! Y mi perro!!!!! (I've seen quite a few border collies here actually, and I miss Cassie!)
Sorry that this post is more informative than entertaining (that's why I shouldn't wait so long to post!) I'll go drink a couple cups of coffee and have a go at describing London ;)
Cheers!
~B
