Flight, Flat, and Fees

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Flying to Chicago and from there to London was my first flight - if you don't count a quick ride in a three person plane for about ten minutes. Needless to say a jet is a bit different. But before even getting on the plane there was the whole experience of the airport. Kia and I got to Minneapolis Airport about three hours early and found that the parking at our terminal was full. So we drove to the other terminal and took the Light Rail over. After security and getting all checked in we waited for about two hours before our plane left. The plane ride to Chicago was nice and quick but we were delayed in both take-off and landing because of delays in Chicago. Thus, Kia and I made a record 3 minute trip from gate H to gate K and got there just as they were about to give up on us. I had about 40 minutes of sleep on the plane and spent the rest of the night watching movies and playing games. After the plane we got to go through customs which took like an hour. Basically everyone who is not a British citizen stands in line and waits for their passport and stuff to be checked and okayed. Then we had a 4 or so hour wait for the rest of the group to get there, and then a 2 1/2 hour ride to Nottingham. The countryside looked as though we were driving down a Minnesota Highway, but everyone was diving on the wrong side and the signs were way different . The exits are also painted on the road not hung on signs. Of course I fell asleep in the coach for almost the whole ride.
Finally after months of preparation, we arrived at the flat. The flat is connected to a German Lutheran Church. In the basement there is a small computer lab and library and the church social hall which we can use during the week. The upstairs contains a kitchen, dining room, living room, shower and half bathroom. Down the hall is the guest/piano room, a full bathroom, and our five bedrooms. Siri and I are rooming together and spent most of our first evening rearranging and unpacking. The flat is about a 10-15 minute bus or tram ride from the city center and probably about the same or maybe a little more from the University.
Today we went to the city center and found that living in England is just as expensive as it is made out to be. We had to get new SIM cards for our phones and then had some time to explore. A one way bus ride is 1 pound 40 which translates to about $2.80 for a one way ticket. That gives you some idea of what living over here is like. As soon as we stop translating pounds into dollars, buying things might get a little easier if not less expensive.
Tomorrow we leave for York. We will be staying in one of the castles that the used in Harry Potter - the same castle the St. Cloud State stays in with their study abroad program. We will also go up to Hadrian's Wall - the end of the Roman Empire in England. We get back Monday night and then on Tuesday orientation at the University starts.

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