Well, this has definitely been a day to remember. After all the work and anxiety of applying for the program, getting my visa, and packing things up, the day has finally arrived: I'm in London at the beginning of a year-long stay sure to be filled with travel and fun and studying and... yatta yatta yatta. After working out last minute troubles with bank accounts, my parents dropped me off at LAX and ate lunch.
Btw, if your ever looking for a bite to eat there, stop by Encounters: once you find the entrance to the huge structure across from the airport, you enter the elevator where Twilight Zone-esque music accompanies you to the top. But holy bejeezus the food is awesome. I had some jumbo shrimp citrus marinara pasta thing that was sooooooooo good.
Anyways, afterward I checked in and boarded the incredibly long flight to the UK. Two things struck me about the flight: 1) the food was pretty decent for an airline (kudos to you Air New Zealand); and 2) the flight was hot as hell. But otherwise was fun, got to sit with Pepp people and get excited about London together. Tried to sleep, but failed miserably every time so ended up watching the same scene in Iron Man 2 over and over because I forgot where I was haha. Then I watched the flight map like a hawk waiting till I could get my first glimpse of the British Isles. And once I saw the western coast of England, I just did not stop staring. I was finally here! We even flew over Stratford upon Avon, which really gave me chills (I admit I tried to spot Shakespeare's house even though I knew how pointless that is when your thousands of feet up. What can I say, I like the guy). And after what, 16 hours of flying? we touched down in London.
A bus ride to the London House later (after counting all of Craigs bad impressions at the airport haha) had us eating some lunch, getting a tour of the house (which is awesome. The kitchen rules, my room is right next to it and the lounge! And repping Phillips E Suite I got Craig and Aaron as roomies haha. Just like old times...) Orientation stuff somewhat aside, we set off to explore a little and to have our first group dinner at Wagamama, like 10 minute walk or so from exposition blvd. This place is soo good. Japanese style noodle dishes from udon to ramen, quick service, great food. I had me some miso ramen (really nice way to warm up after a London night haha, nice kick to it) and finished up with some chocolate yogurt with, get this, chopped ginger and chili inside! That was a shocker for me, but geez is it good. You get this nice dark chocolate flavor and then some sweetness from the ginger with a tiny lil nip of chili spice. Like I said: DELICIOUS! Time for bed I think. Orientation tomorrow at nine bleh, but what will be will be. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
