London Calling

I'm in LONDON!!!! I'm visiting my friend, Meredith, who is studying at the University College of London. We've talked for years about traveling around Europe together, and now we're finally here! It's been great exploring the city with her, but, since she has classes, I also get to explore a bit on my own. I think it's really a good challenge for me to have such independence to navigate the city by myself. Only a few days since I arrived and I already feel like I've mastered the metro system - everything makes so much more sense underground! Literally, I only get lost once I emerge from below and try to follow street signs (I think I'm part-male - I don't like to look at my map or ask for directions... although I end up consulting the map quite a bit).

I didn't expect to feel so out of place in England - everything seems so much more familiar back in Spain! Also, it feels weird speaking English here - whenever I go to a checkout stand or the equivalent, I have to fight the urge to speak Spanish. I'm just so used to speaking a different language when doing anything touristy or involving public transportation!

Today I went to the Imperial War Museum, which had amazing exhibits on the two World Wars - very interesting to get a British perspective. I also joined Meredith's London architecture class, which is basically a weekly walk through the city. Today they were touring several churches designed by Wren - the guy who designed St Paul's Cathedral. I've also explored Bloomsbury and visited the Courtald Art Gallery - lots more to see! Luckily, we're going to have a few days without rain coming up, so Meredith and I will be taking advantage of that! Also, we got tickets to see Les Miserables on Thursday!!!! This weekend we're going to Oxford and the Cotswolds, and next week I'll take a day trip to Bath.

A few things that have surprised me about London:
-Everyone talks so quietly! I'd heard that they find Americans too loud, but I didn't know that they were completely inaudible! I just have to keep repeating, "pardon?" or "sorry?" until they raise their voices a bit. I guess they probably leave the interaction wondering why some American kept shouting at them...
-They have "look right" signs written on almost every curb, THANK GOODNESS. Otherwise I'm pretty certain I would have been hit by a car by now. It's nice of them to recognize that pretty much else drives on the right side of the road ("right" has a double meaning there.... kidding).

-I love the British accents and phrases. When you hold the door open for people they say "cheers," things are always either "lovely" or "brilliant," and on the metro they say "mind the gap." Meredith's architecture teacher said something about an architecture scholar "having kittens over" a particular church of Wren's. Assuming that means they really liked it...?


-Bangers and Mash = Sausage and mashed potatoes (you'd really think they'd want to make their food sound more appetizing...)
-They watch Spanish soccer/football!!!!! We went to a pub for fish and chips and the Real Madrid game was on. It made me feel so at home!

The worst part about England - the awful exchange rate! It makes everything almost twice as expensive! I'll never complain about the Euro again!