LUCY GOES TO LONDON

For those of you who have not noticed by my excessive tweets, Facebook check ins, and Instagram uploads I have moved to London for four months to study abroad. For as long as I could possibly remember I have always been obsessed with British culture from British Literature works to British music artists. Just being here for two weeks I am fully convinced that I was born in the wrong country. I do love California dearly (hence the title of this blog), but London is a nice place to get away for a while.

I arrived to London on August 25 with a large suitcase, a carry-on and a couple of pounds to last me for at minimum two days.I could not believe the drastic temperature change. I am used to being at home dealing with the excruciating heat and tanning easily but this was completely different. Every Londoner was layered from head to toe holding up umbrellas to stay dry from the rain while I wasn't even wearing a jacket to keep warm. My shuttle driver had a very strong accent with a low voice so I could not understand what he was telling me. During the drive he was pointing out important places but because I had no idea what he was saying, I would just nod my head.

I arrived at the Grange Blooms hotel and the hotel was quite small with only about six bedrooms on the floor I was staying in. I had researched Grange Blooms Hotel right after I booked it to only discover that it is one of the top 5 haunted hotels in London. I was beyond nervous and was not planning on staying there for the rest of the day. Yet, as soon as I got into my room, I realized (finally) that I was burning. Maybe it was the lack of food I had eaten for 13 hours traveling or the coughing woman next to me, but I was now sick. Now being sick was the last thing I thought I would be especially considering that I get sick maybe once or twice a year. I called my mother, my best friend, my cousin, and my grandma to only realize that it was around 3 am in California. I began to obnoxiously cry that I wanted to go home because I was alone in a foreign country and have never actually been alone. I slept majority of the day to feel better and to forget that a ghost could be haunting my room at the moment as well.

The following day I went to the main office of my program. There are about 105 students in my program and we were each given an envelope and a list of our roommates. Now maybe I am being biased but my flat is insanely huge and beautiful. In total there are 12 girls and it may be a struggle to fit all our food into the two refrigerators, but we all get along so well. There are perks of having 11 flatmates such as being able to walk to class with someone or planning traveling tips. You're never really alone here. Each of my flatmates have vibrant personalities and are willing to try new things and make their most out of this experience.The first couple of nights we went out to local pubs and clubs and met a bunch of British locals and Europeans visiting for the weekend. What's funny here is how much British people obsess over American accents. I've been asked by multiple people to speak just so they can hear my accent. I was shocked about the music being played here because it's more of throwback songs and to my surprise I learned that other parts of the world get American music way later. 

 

In just a short week I have visited Buckingham palace, Big Ben, Shakespeare's Globe, London Bridge, London Museum, London banks, etc. Maybe these are the most common tourist sites but I am technically a tourist so I have to experience such things. I have also tried different kinds of food and drink such as VEGGIE fish and chips and British tea. In addition to travel and food, I have finally gone to one of my favorite stores Topshop and was lost the entire time. The stores here are MASSIVE and it's quite difficult to find what you want. And also who knew that stores could contain a salon, a cupcake station, and a juicery. The culture here is very fast paced and it can be difficult to make friends with British people (besides meeting them in social settings). I've walked A LOT here. Back home a mile sounds like too much of a far walk but a mile here is considered short. I only have two complaints about London. First, I am not a huge fan of riding the tube. For one, I am TERRIBLE with direction and not knowing the names of each street makes it a lot more difficult for me. I also do not like how overcrowded and hot it can be. Majority of people are wearing heavy coats so just imagine how hot it gets inside the tube. The second thing I do not like is self-check out at grocery stores. I know I should not be relying on people to do things for me but scanning and bagging my groceries is REALLY difficult. The cashiers also ask for your signature on your credit/debit card after signing the receipt. I don't really understand the meaning behind checking a signature especially because my signature can range from a 6 year old girl who just learned how to write or a teenage boy. But these "complaints" are very small compared to all the things I love about London.

This place definitely feels unreal and I am loving each moment of it. I have come to the conclusion that it takes a certain individual to leave everything behind and learn about a new culture all while having to make friends again. You have to be brave and be kind to do a study abroad program because making connections with others will make the experience a lot more worthwhile. I do not know what is ahead of me the next four months, but I am excited for the ride.

xoxo,