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Published: September 16th 2009
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Photo 1
Me with my luggage at Dulles Airport! (I found out the afternoon I was leaving I was allowed TWO checked bag--I had only been planning on one--so exciting! Well I made it to Cambridge! Although I am still a bit jet-lagged and groggy, it has been an informative time so far. First of all, my flight here was amazingly non-eventful so British Airways is my new favorite airline! I feel like international travel is more complicated than domestic travel with more potential pitfalls--yet this trip was by far my best in recent memory. Not only did BA operate the flight efficiently with good service but the little bottles of wine were free! Even in economy! (I am not sure if this is all good though because a man on my row polished off at least three that I saw--the last one right before he had his "morning" coffee... I guess he doesn't like flying) Anyway, I digress. I will spare you the horrid details of my last domestic trip involving airlines, but let's just say it included 3 delayed flights, numerous "mechanical difficulties," and what seemed like a never-ending and unplanned layover in the Atlanta airport (going there) and more mechanical difficulties, ice, a brief visit to Kalamazoo, Michigan--I know, it doesn't even sound like a real place--but look it up, plane deicing, plane deicing malfunction, and an unplanned
Photo 2
I found the school where my placement will be! night spent in a motel in Detroit (coming home). Following this trip, I had pretty much lost any faith I ever had in the airline industry. Now though, I have new hope. I am thinking about writing a letter to BA asking them to consider doing domestic flights within the US. I would say that even though I understand that they are "British" Airlines that I really need them. After all, I could have used (at least) one of those little bottles of wine when I was stuck in Kalamazoo...
Cambridge on the other hand is excellent. Upon our arrival at Heathrow, we were pleasantly surprised to discover the airport provides those little luggage carts FOR FREE!! I feel like I have never seen those things go for any less than $5 ($7 at DCA or Dulles) so, in my jet-lagged state, I was overjoyed. Our ride from London to Cambridge was uneventful. Hilary had arranged ahead of time for us to be picked up by a taxi service. We were driven by a kind man who said probably no more than ten words to us... so I assume he was kind. Although he did seem to have the
Photo 3
St. Albans school musical taste of a ten year old girl--his radio station of choice included Lady Gaga and similar music. In any case. he got us to our B&B safely.
Our B&B is nice. It's a little odd, but that's what makes it fun. Our rooms are pretty nice. We have our own (small) bathrooms. I have rediscovered the joy of European showers. The one in my room actually has to be turned on by pressing a button outside the bathroom (how do they think this stuff up?). Not so much of a problem when getting into the shower, but a little bit dicey when getting out. The water pressure (or I should say "lack thereof") makes me a little sad, but such is life. I will just have to plan accordingly for the 10 extra minutes it will take me to wash the shampoo and conditioner out of my hair. However, I have a tv in my room (not quite sure what to watch on it yet--suggestions?), my bed is comfortable, and the owner, a nice man named Pete, makes us breakfast every morning. They also come in every day and make our beds and clean our toilets--I am not
Photo 4
Kaitlin and Hilary on a bridge over the Cam sure I have EVER known such cleanliness and neatness! They also provide fresh fruit and tea making supplies in our rooms. Tea really is HUGE here. Unfortunately, chai and lemon herbal tea--my favorite kinds-- both seem to be somewhat uncommon. The good news is that with the tea obsession comes a LOT of cute mugs. I definitely see myself needing to purchase some of them in the near future. Anyway, I finished unpacking tonight and have things about organized so I will try to take some pictures tomorrow morning in the daylight.
One last thing I have learned is that it is stressful to be a pedestrian here. Crossing the street is anxiety-inducing since we are trained to look in the wrong direction for on-coming traffic. My current "hope and dream" for my time here is to NOT get run down by a car or bus or bike. Let's just say I think it will be a little while before I can happily cruise down the street in my own little "happy zone" listening to my ipod. My ultimate goal is to get a bike. However, I feel like I need to master walking around (I know, it seems
Photo 5
the Cam so basic... and yet...) before I try to tackle riding with traffic going the wrong way.
Alright, it's time for bed. Hopefully I won't wake up at 2am again tomorrow--fingers crossed! (Laying awake I was like, "wow, this isn't even logical... since it's 7pm at home...") Fun times!
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Savanna
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Yay!
I just want to say that I'm really happy that your plane did not fall out of the sky, as I was so concerned that it would. I also am very happy about the little bottle of wine thing, which means if I venture over there I will have to consider that airline! I'm sorry there is no chai tea. I know thats a big thing for you. Maybe I can send you some sometime. :) I miss you!