WHATA DAY

After a 6 hour flight and a lot of turbulence, I'm finally in London!

Leaving America was bittersweet; leaving my loved ones behind was really hard. I wish I could have packed them all in my suitcase but even if I could there was no room considering my bag was overweight, weighing in at 53 lbs. Luckily, the lovely sir working the counter let it slide. Saying goodbye to my parents and little sister at the security check was awful; I'll admit I shed a tear or two (or more...whatever). Luckily, I was forced to gather myself and headed to gate B30. I didn't have to wait long to board my flight probably 20 minute’s tops. 

When I finally reached my seat, G30, I met my flight mate, a lovely old British man (never caught his name). During the trip we probably said an all of 10 words to each other, hence why I liked him so much...lol. The flight got off to a rough start, the first 2 hours were coupled with turbulence and once that passed they finally fed us dinner. I opted for a salad; it was accompanied with fresh fruit, which was a pleasant surprise as well as a roll, and a solitary piece of Monterrey jack cheese. Needless to say I downed everything including a delightful brownie that had cinnamon undertones.

Oh and I forgot to mention that my dad is a baller and scored me an emergency exit window seat which allotted me so much extra space for my long limbs. In addition, my flight mate and I got a run down on how to save the whole flight if need be (no pressure)...as compensation they gave us both an extra blanket which was much needed due to the wicked draft.

The flight flew by (pun intended), thanks to my trusty kindle and iPod. I've made a decent dent in my recent literary adventure, A Thousand Splendid Suns; however, I regret to inform you that that I only went up to levels in Candy Crush... Around 2:40 am (eastern standard time) I decided to open up my blind and the most incredible sight of the sky greeted me. At first the colors appeared faint, both orange and blue but over the course of 20-30 minutes they were so vibrant, if you looked closely you could see a thin layer of greenish light, where the two colors intersected. 

(the picture doesn't do it justice)

After watching the incredible sunrise we landed and so my adventure began. My roommate and I arranged a meeting point (the tube), however, neither one of us took into account that we may not both be arriving at the same terminal. To make a long story short we both landed at Heathrow at 10am and waited for each other until almost 12. Tiffany was at terminal one, and I was at terminal 4. The whole time I was on the tube I felt so bad leaving her there but I couldn't see the sense in waiting any longer than I already did. At this point I was just hoping that she didn't think I was a selfish b!t*h. The tube ride was about an hour long and contrary to popular belief I did not find it confusing at all. I got off at the Kings Cross stop and carried my luggage on my back up the stairs (you were right mom), I wish someone could've taken a picture. As I arose from the underground (tube) I was created by a totally different world and preceded to get lost for about an hour or so. The flyer I was given told me to make a left and then continue on Pentonville rd, but apparently in London left means go straight. Me being the obedient person I am took a hard left and continued walking for a mile or two, sweating might I add through multiple layers of clothes. Let me tell you being lost in a foreign country by yourself while you are extremely hot does not makes for a good mix, needless to say I had an emotional break down and started crying up and down the streets of London. Apparently a guy saw me and said "whatsa matta love? Where ya tryna go?" (insert British accent here) and he vaguely pointed me in the right direction, until I got lost again. The story then repeats itself. At around who knows what time, I finally made it to Nido and checked in and was sent out on a neighborhood tour of London-Kings Crossing. The tour guides were sorta helpful and I got my first oyster card (US equivalent is a metro card) for around 35 pounds or $50 (thats only good for one week). After the tour I went back to my room unpacked and chatted with my roommate and then we went on a shopping tour and got some new pillows because the ones we were supplied were as thin as paper and handy little track phone. 

After shopping we meet in the lobby with some kids we met earlier and all tried to go to a pub. However, all the pubs were so small and crowded so we split up and I ended up having Thai food (which was delicious). After we returned home I took my first shower in the UK and it burned off multiple layers of my skin, I had to call in my roommate for some reinforcement on conquering the shower, they’re very different from American showers. 

I can safely say that yesterday/today/whatever day it is right now has been the longest day of my life but it's been fun. Never a dull moment. I'm looking forward to sleeping like a baby tonight with my new pillow and blanket. Apparently, England makes pillows that absorb your snoring aka a snore be gone pillow (in your face Samantha) so I'll have to ask Tiffany how that works out. Tomorrow is gonna be another very busy day (9:15 wake up call) filled with orientation and making more friends. I'm not letting myself go to sleep tomorrow if I don't have a hairbrush and a three-prong converter for my laptop. London, day 1.....CHECK!

I'll try and post pics of my room/ view as well as the rest of Nido's facilities tomorrow!  
-AMV