The Adjustment Phase

Well I am here in London and things have finally started to calm down just a little bit...in a sense. I am not going to lie. The first day was HARD. My flight left on Monday at 7am and I got to London at 7 am the next day with a 7 hour layover in Houston in between. I was told by many people not to sleep until it was night time in London. It was especially hard because when we got here there was nothing for us to do all day until our orientation meeting at 6pm. We decided to go walking around but were completely lost with no direction. We grabbed some lunch and wandered aimlessly for a while. We got oriented that night then headed to bed. My body is still adjusting to everything. I woke up wide awake at 3am the first night and couldn't get to sleep for an hour and a half last night. Hopefully my body will go back to its regular sleeping ways.

Here is a picture tour of the flat (apartment) I live in

The outside of our flat. The cutest one on the street. Very skinny.

Our tiny bathroom. The shower is a little suffocating.

My bed and dresser

Mine, Lindsey, and Molly's room

Our favorite study area

The living room

The second day they started us right into school. There are 4 classes of which we have to take 3. I am taking History and Politics of Britain, Shakespeare and Studying British Literature in a Cultural Setting. Once a week we have a religion class and a Walks in London class. We take classes at the Hyde Park Chapel which is only a couple blocks away from where we live.

Blurry first day of school picture

After class we went to visit the Paddington Library and get a library card. It was my first experience on the bus and it was a great one. They use the tube here. Like an underground subway thing. Its all about public transportation which I have never used in my life so it is taking some getting used to. 

We live across from Hyde Park. It is a huge park with a pond, many statues and of course Kensington Palace. In case you didn't know William and Kate Middleton live there. So yes, we live across the street from royals. We are in one of the nicest parts of London. I have always felt really safe here. 

Kensington Palace and Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria

The golden royal gates

That night we decided to go big and see Big Ben and the London Eye at night. It is even more amazing in person. I wish my pictures did it justice, but it is not nearly as beautiful. We sat in awe for a while then walked around the area.

The Houses of Parliament are connected to Big Ben

The famous London Eye

I think we all forget that is actually a STUDY abroad because last night we stayed up until after midnight doing homework. There is actually a large load and it is going to be tricky to try and balance everything. 

After class today we went back to Hyde Park because the sun was finally out and we didn't have a very long break between morning classes and our religion class. It was breathtaking. 

A lady feeding the ducks, swans, pigeons and all assortments of birds

Lacey and Madeline looking to Kensington Palace

"a symbol of that restless physical impulse to seek the still unachieved in the domain of material things" 

Beautiful Madeline

An afternoon well spent at the park

After religion some of us went to Oxford Street. I have found that I actually like the city and that everyone walks everywhere. Oxford Street has tons of stores, buses and restaurants and even had hanging lanterns over the road. It was fun to just walk up and down and see the different stores. 

We struggled to find a place to eat but finally landed on Lebanese. I have never eaten Lebanese food before, but man was it delicious. Briona and I shared some lamb shwarma. 

It's been a hard adjustment, but I am starting to feel better. I am sure the longer we are here the more I will grow accustomed and feel more at home. Tomorrow is the tower of London!