Keep Calm and Carry On

What a whirlwind!

I’ve been in the United Kingdom now for four days.  After my entirely uneventful plane ride which involved a gin and tonic that cost me only about $6 (or 750 Iceland Kronas), I made my way to my hotel.  I met a lovely American girl who told me about the tubes and gave me a few pointers.  She even showed me to the taxi queue and warned me about the cold.  I did worry for a moment that she might be trying to take advantage- because of course they drive that into your brain when you’re preparing to go, but no, she was just a kind girl who remembered her first trip to England. 

The hotel was nice, nothing spectacular.  For £65 anyway it was fine.  Dodgy breakfast, but fine, whatever.  I did get to see Kensington on the first day, which was lovely.  I actually teared up a bit seeing Queen Victoria’s description of how Prince Albert died.  I slept early the first night and bought a hop-on-hop-off bus tour the next day which was nice, got to see everything pretty quickly, though I only went to Buckingham Palace, and The Globe Theatre. 

The Globe.  There are no words.  It was beautiful and everything I imagined it to be.  Our tour guide was a cheeky older woman who was very indignant about having her paving stones covered by a drinks caddy.  Apparently while building it, they sold paving stones for £300 each.  Once bought, the stones would receive an engraving of the buyers name.  She bought two, and they were covered by the caddy, and there really isn't much more to say about it.

Anyway, I managed to get a standing ticket to A Midsummer Nights Dream, and it was amazing.  I was actually doubled over laughing for most of it.  I can’t put into words why it was histerical, except to say that Puck was a bit like an awkward teenager, Oberon was a big tough faerie dude, and Titania was simultaneously beautiful and goofy.  Bottom was……. Bottom.  He had a very monotone voice but used these looks to convey everything and I was dying everytime he came on.  Every time he referenced Peter Quince he would say, “Peter Quince, Peter, is it Peter?  It’s Peter.  Peter Quince-” and then go on with his line.  Quince was this brilliant gay director; Snug was a typical country smithy, tall, stoic, with a pipe; the guy that played the moon was just ridiculous, and the guy that played the wall resembled closely the skinny annoying pirate in POTC, minus the wooden eye. 

I can’t say more than that, but it was amazing. 

Anyway, I'm here in Swansea now.  I’ve got five roommates, four of whom I’ve met and seem like cool people.  They apparently did think I was going to be a guy, though, which was interesting.  Four other guys and one girl.  They made me an English breakfast today, which was nice.  I tried blood pudding, but didn’t care for it.  They said it wasn’t as good as usual, so I’ll try it again.  Interestingly, while I am studying in Wales, all five of my roommates are English.  I have yet to really experience Wales.

I have to admit, everything feels like Christmas to me.  The weather, the way everyone’s swathed up, the fact that I’ve got a duvet on my bed which is labeled “13.5 Tog” which apparently means that its really warm.  The boiler doesn’t work right now either, it copped out sometime yesterday after the first tenant arrived and the man won’t be here until tomorrow to fix it.  Also no internet, so it should be today by the time this is actually posted. 

I think the best part of today is that… I'm sick.  I woke up with a sore throat yesterday and it’s developed into a cold.  Annoying that.  It doesn’t help that there’s no heat and its freezing outside.  Glad I bought the coat right about now, of course I was at Tesco yesterday buying linens and pillows and a duvet, and I saw coats for £50.  Of course.  Oh well, I love my coat.

Today was also the fresher’s party, something called “Fresh and Free.”  I wasn’t planning on going, but it was directly after the international welcome reception, so I figured I could stop buy.  It wasn’t awful, I met several people who were pretty cool and I'm excited for tomorrow’s orientation.  I may actually know some people. 

In all, I'm dubbing this a very good day.

Also pictures! (out of order)

 The fry up my roommates made for me my first morning here.

The globe!

Buckingham palace :)