Deanna Gorman is a student at Luther College and an ISA Featured Blogger. Deanna is currently studying abroad program in London on an ISA Fall 4 program.
Hello all!
Generally, I would start where I left off, but who wants to hear about the 8 hour plane ride when I can jump right into London?! I have been in the UK for only one full day before I can take the itch to get into central London no more!! Two other ISA students and myself decide to brave the intimidating tube system which stands between us and Piccadilly Circus, London’s heart of entertainment! After careful study and guidance from one Londoner, we come up from the tube station and step into London. As I reach the top of the steps, I am greeted by a picture perfect scene of London’s amazing architecture. I stood there a moment to just take it in.
I am in London, England, after almost a year of planning all the dreaming has come true! As we began to walk the streets, my eyes could not take in the scenes quick enough! As I started, I decided that London is just as glamorous as everyone expects and makes it out to be. As my eyes make their way straight ahead to cross the street, I quickly observe that the British do in fact drive on the opposite side of the road. It didn’t take as long to get used to seeing that as it will to get used to not thinking a baby in their passenger seat is driving! It’s been almost a week and I still have to do double takes with that. We did not cover very much of London that day but we hit some of the big sites, one of them being Big Ben which was beyond awesome!
Although I wished we could stay forever, that first trip ended but was followed up by encores the next four days and nights. Every trip we got great new pictures but when we returned we realized we were still just a group of Americans living in London. We were missing one vital thing…. BRITISH STUDENTS!! They finally arrived on Sunday and I don’t think they expected to be quite so welcomed by the two strange American girls in their flat. We wasted no time getting them to speak to us in “those-melt-right-in-front-of-them” accents. We were so intrigued by everything they said and did, but the cool thing was they were just as interested in us. Just because we all speak English does NOT mean we are the same.
We stayed up half the night in our new “family” kitchen getting to know each other and playing the typical “how do you say that” and “what do you call this” games. It was everything I was hoping for and that first night, I know I fell asleep with a smile on my face. The semester hasn’t even begun yet and I am already dreading the day I have to leave. But we are not thinking out that yet!!
Reblogged this on drndark.