Initial impressions

     Ok, so now that I've been here a couple days I'm almost up to speed on London time. My three female flatmates and me have spent the last couple of days sightseeing, and tomorrow is orientation at the University. Yesterday we visited the Barbican Center; a large performing arts center in the newer section of the city where waited in a long line for a limited time exhibit called the rain room. It's a big room made to look like rain is pouring although really only a little is. Don't worry, we didn't get totally soaked. For dinner we ate at a cheap Asian restaurant close to our flat.
     Today we hit up some of the main staples of London like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. We didn't go inside but the architecture was definitely something to write home abo, wait a minute... isn't that what I'm doing here? We browsed Covent Garden, which is a large open-air market about 10 minutes from our neighborhood. This is a nice place to walk, or shop and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting. There are shops, restaurants, booths, and street performers. There was even a lady belting opera. We ate at a delicious Mexican restaurant nearby for lunch which gives out Serrano chillies as small parting gifts.
     So far I've really enjoyed the transport systems. The Heathrow Express was smooth, fast, and sophisticated. They had a TV going with a little news and weather. In 15 minutes I was at Paddington Station in the heart of London. When I got there I was reminded of the stations featured in Thomas the Tank Engine. You know with the high arched ceiling above the platforms and bustling with passengers. It was a beautiful sight, even at 8am (and at that point I was running on East Coast time). The tube was also nice since it's seats are cushioned, unlike many US systems. Well, don't want to put you to sleep here so I'll just say good night, and I'll let you know how orientation goes.

Photo courtesy of my flatmate Mary.