Coffee and personal space

January 13, 2010

Living Room

The living room is crazy right now. There are about fifteen people chatting away on their cell phones or watching television. There are actually about twenty people living in our flat. It is one narrow hallway with a million doors. Well, to be more exact there are six bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom, and living room. It is crazy here when everyone is around (like right now), but usually you can find some place to be alone if you need to. It is a nice mix of people.

Since not much is happening this week, I’m going to offer some of my observations about London and Londoners.

The Brits aren’t as friendly as Americans. Or as personable. If I tried to start up a conversation with someone on the bus, they would probably give me the stink eye and move to the back of the bus. They don’t care a bit about invading your personal space on the bus or on the street, but don’t expect them to be friendly at all. They won’t even make eyes contact. The advisers said it would be difficult to make British friends. I am beginning to understand why. But all of our professors are very kind and sociable. They understand our struggle and are, therefore, overly nice at times.

The Brits love coffee. Or they think Americans can’t live without it. It seems as if all my British professors and advisers are forever offering us a cup or taking us on coffee breaks. They can probably see the bags under our eyes and the lack-of-sleep induced glaze over our eyes as try to adjust to the time change. I really didn’t think it would be this hard. Six hours? I can do that easy… wrong. I still haven’t caught up. If anything, I’m getting too much sleep now. I’m always tired at the wrong times. But I will adjust! They told us it takes a few weeks. No kidding.

The Brits love public transportation. And walking. They love walking anywhere and everything they can (just not when it is snowing outside, then they get a bit anxious). We have been walking everywhere. It is so easy to get on the Tube (the subway system) and go anywhere you like for a few dollars. You always end up somewhere new and interesting. Walking around here is amazing. One minute the block will be lined with crammed, brick apartments with shops below, and the next minutes, you find your self surrounded by the most modern, stunning buildings you have ever seen. It is incredible. The architecture is really a great mix of the old and the new. Like most everything about London.

The Brits love eating out. Or Londoners do anyway. Any kind of food you could ever want, you’ll find here and it will be amazing. The best you have ever eaten. I think next week, our coordinator is taking us to an Iraqi restaurant! There is a sandwich shop down the street that is cheap and really good. I mean really good. My favorite might be the tuna.

I’m a bit peeved because I can’t load my pictures from my camera to my computer yet. I forgot the sticking cord that connects the two and I’m lost without it. Thankfully, Judy pulled through and is sending it in the mail as we speak. Pictures are coming! I have so many to share.

I miss everyone so much. I am having so much fun, but at the same time, I wish everyone was here with me. London is just amazing. Everyone has to come here at least once.

This week, we have a few trips and event coming up. Tonight, we are going to Belgravia (a borough of London, there are 32 all together!). In Belgravia, we are going on a pub-crawl with our teachers. Yep. The bar/pub atmosphere is so different here. The pubs are always filled with a great mix of people. It is always interesting to see who will walk in the door. On Friday, we are having noon tea at the Gore Hotel. They told us the Rolling Stones once had an album release party there, but other than that, the hotel is very respectable and classy. And they invited a bunch of Wisconsin students for tea? Next Saturday, we are visiting Windsor castles and I think this weekend, a bunch of us are going to a market on Saturday to find junk and antiques. It will be great.

Have a great rest of the week and I’ll be back soon!
Kelly