Day Two:: Welcome to My Crib

I am finally in London and yes it is pretty, but I am tired, so tired which is highly logical given that I did not sleep last night and the night before that provided me with an entire four hours of sleep.  And due to my sleep deprived state I neglected to take a picture of my first real view of London: Paddington Station. I can’t even find a stock photo that does it justice from the view I had.  I must go back, just for a picture or two.

My next London experience was a taxi ride, complete with my first “driving-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-road encounter” The taxis are adorable and completely British in style and  are a million times better looking than Fiats.  (Sidenote: Audis and Mini Coopers are the favored make of car here and I am not complaining one bit.)  That charming little taxi took me to my home for the coming 105 days.  Say hello to 37 Hyde Park Gate:

 (daytime pictures to follow)

Here’s the lowdown on my flat (that’s apartment for you true, red-blooded Americans): There are 15 girls in it and I share a room with one.  We have a kitchen, a family room and a commons area that consists of a large table.  We also have six fridges (very important). My bathroom is in my room and it is tiny, as in the shower is so small that it is quite difficult to bend down and pick up your soap from the floor, but that’s the true city living experience isn’t it?

Also, the place has lots of hallways and as a result reminds me a bit of my home and a bit of the place that they hid Anne Frank and her family.

Fast forward to 19:00 (that’s how we do time here in the UK just a moderately condescending FYI for you) when I finally went grocery shopping.  For the first time since the customs line I was on my own and was really able to take things without being afraid of my group accidentally (or purposefully for that matter) leaving me behind as I stared with wide eyes at the architecture and the history and at the how the moss grows on the brick buildings and how THE DOUBLE DECKER BUSSES ARE ACTUAL PUBLIC TRANSIT, NOT JUST SIGHTSEEING VESSLES AND THE RED PHONE BOOTHS ARE A READ THING AND IT IS ALL SO PRETTY.

And on that note I bid you farewell,

Kelsie