Blogs from Coventry, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom, Europe

I walked around campus today, exploring the outer edges. There is a small reserve area with woods and a small river system with lots of birds. Last night was really cold, so there was a frost covering the ground for most of the day. Some of the water had ice on it and you could watch the birds walking around on it, looking like they were walking on water. It was a beautiful day and so much fun to just get out and walk around.... read more

So my first week in England is almost done and I can say that I'm happy about it. After days of running around to Tesco and random buildings across campus trying to get all the administrative stuff done, I am glad that all the paperwork is done (mostly). I'll be taking the following classes: Latin America: Themes and Problems Empire and Aftermath Modern Mexico: 1810-present Galleons and Caravans: Trade from 1300-1800 I've been to a lecture for Mexico and seminars for Mexico and Latin America. All three things were pretty interesting and the professors were both very accommadating. I've got quite a bit of reading to do to catch up, but it shouldn't be much of a problem. As for the administrative stuff, I'd rather drink coffee than see another form. I went to the University ... read more

My first true day in England! After getting in around 8pm last night, I settled in to my great room. I have a decent bed, a large desk, a great view of the "lake," my own bathroom, and a lot of space. The lake had a pair of swans, some ducks, and a flock of Canadian geese swimming around. I think I actually saw a sea gull as well. I met some of the people in my flat and the flat neighboring mine. They were all extremely nice and welcoming. I slept past noon today and then Candace was generous enough to give me a tour of campus and then walk me to the local off campus store for me to buy food and other stuff I needed. The campus is quite compact and is quite ... read more

Great night out with Stinky. Feeling a little delicate today. Must be old age. I made it as far as Coventry. The Pug was dead this morning, but managed to get it going (thanks mum). The radio doesn't work anymore... probably because it's in the boot. Only the sat-nav for company on journeys from now on. She doesn't say much. I'm told the temperature in Yeovil dropped to minus eleven last night. Here's hoping my boiler didn't freeze. Sarah said she'd look in on my flat when she has time. I asked her to drain the boiler. What if the boiler is on a separate feed and can't be emptied? meh. Built a spinosaurus, didn't see any polar bears. It's 29 degrees in Rio at the moment.... read more

Oli sateinen paiva, joten pysyttiin Coventryssa. Kaytiin katsomassa pari museota ja toisen maailmansodan pommituksissa tuhoutuneen katedraalin raunioita seka viereen rakennettua uutta katedraalia. Niin, Coventry karsi tosiaan pahoin pommituksista 1940, ja se aihe oli esilla moneen kertaan. Kun oltiin kaupungilla, joku mielenvikainen varmaan noin viisikymppinen nainen alkoi sattia Alexia. Onneksi kielitaitoni puutteellisuus esti minua ymmartamasta kaikkia nyansseja. Illalla lahdimme viela kaupungille. Ensin poikkesimme siiderilla yhdessa baarissa ja menimme sitten taksilla toiseen baariin, jossa oli Alexin vanhempien tuttuja.... read more

Jatin repun hostelliin sailytykseen. Kavin ensin kavelylla alajuoksulla pain. Olisin jatkanut pidemmallekin, mutta etelarannalla kavelytie loppui, joten palasin takaisin. Huomasin etta oikea kenkani oli alkanut hajota. Pitaa korjauttaa se tai ostaa uudet. Uusien ostamisessa on toki oma riskinsa nain matkalla. Poikkesin kirjakaupassa ja ostin 6 punnalla ohuen bridgekirjan, jossa on 121 vinkkia pelinsa parantamiseen. Kavin katsomassa kansojen museon, ja soin intialaisessa seisovan poydan. Paljon sita mausteista ruokaa ei tosin jaksanut syoda. Paatin ostaa uudet kangaskengat ja heitin vanhat roskiin, kyse oli siis varakengista eika niista joilla paaosin kavelen. Olin asemalla jo tuntia ennen junan lahtoa. Olin tosiaan ostanut liput hyvissa ajoin etukateen, jolloin ne sai paljon halvemmalla kuin viime tinkaan. Vahan sama asia kuin lentolippujen kanssa. Junamatka meni rattoisasti: sain... read more

I start my training contract on March 7th… but my summer job ends on 2nd October. Solution? Travel for 3.5 months! The plan: October - USA November - Australia December/January - South Africa I leave on 11th October at 9.55 in the morning. With a 3 hour check in at Heathrow, it looks like I’ll be up at some stupid o’clock. Luckily, due to time zone differences, I’ll be arriving in the US at 12.55pm Pacific time… so even after an 11 hour flight I get extra time added to my life :D I havent exactly planned much for the US, but I’m currently thinking of going to San Diego for a couple of days, and hopefully to Tijuana, and then up the pacific coast to San Francisco, where I can stay for a while before ... read more

Hello everyone, It is a rainy day here in Coventry and it is quite cool outside which is a big change from the amazing weather of the weekend. I had a wonderful time in Beenham with the Salts. On Saturday we hosted a big BBQ with family and friends of the Salts. There was a wonderful buffet of salads, my favourite being the broccoli with cranberries and sunflower seeds along with chicken and sausages from the BBQ. I had fun playing baseball in the yard and playing with the little kids as they swam in the puddling pool in their swimming costumes (translation: wadding pool in swimsuits). On Sunday we went to Aldermaston Church which is in the village of Aldermaston a few kilometres away. The church was built in 1391 and is situated on a ... read more

Cheerio everyone! Things have been super busy here in the UK! My course has been going very well and the people who are taking it have such amazing life experiences and have shared a lot of valuable resources and insight. My instructor is very upbeat and makes learning both fun, meaningful and interactive! We have been in Coventry for about 6 days now having landed here on Friday last and took a bus from Gatwick. The weather has been amazing, with absolutely no rain in sight as of yet. We are doing our course work at the Coventry Transport Museum. Coventry used to be a major factory town for car production including Jaguars and other fancy cars. The industry has been in decline since the recession but the museum itself is quite impressive. There is even ... read more