Making it across the pond...

Less than 24 hours since my flight left Minneapolis and I'm writing this post from my student flat at the Florida State University London Student Centre in the heart of the city. The flight was thankfully on-time and uneventful, as was the train journey to Paddington station and taxi ride to the Student Centre, outside of some traffic delays.

Having to lug my heavy luggage up four flights of narrow and steep stairs to my flat was a interesting exercise--it's safe to say that working those four flights of stairs for the next three weeks is going to make for an excellent workout program...

I finally got to meet the rest of my classmates, literally from all over the country, at a welcome tea reception that afternoon. Soon afterwards, several of us already began to explore the neighborhood, including a group dinner outing to Wagamama. For my jet-lagged system, chicken ramen couldn't have tasted better.

While the "official" first day of class isn't until Monday the 19th, the rest of the week and weekend will already be filled with various tours to immerse the class into the London culture. I suppose it makes sense to get everyone comfortable with the city, as once the actual itinerary starts there won't be much slowing down between now and August 4th!