I am both alive and arrived safely in London, which I suppose are the two most important things. However, the wireless in our flats isn't currently working (at least for me) and I'm having some computer issues, so I'm typing this short update from the computer lab.
The flight to JFK was smooth and short. JFK, on the other hand, was a lot bigger than I expected and it took me a little time plus a few inquiries to find my way to the proper gate.
I wasn't able to sleep at all on the Virgin Atlantic flight, partly because of the anxiousness, partly because the seats didn't allow you much movement room. However, other than the seats, the airplane was nice. The staff served us a full dinner; I had beef and mashed potatoes, brocoli and cheese, a small Greek-style salad with feta cheese, crackers, cheese, a slice of oreo cheesecake, a bun with butter, water, and an after dinner mint. They also gave us breakfast -- tea or coffee with a cereal bar or muffin.
The airline didn't allow the use of wireless or GPS devices on the plane, but they had a really cool built-in entertainment/information system; the screen was on the back of the seat of the person in front of you and the control was under the arm rest on the right side. I watched several movies and TV shows - including TMNT, an episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender, an episode of Doctor Who, and a half-hour documentary on London - and was able to check the flight's status and ETA through a built-in GPS-type screen.
Once our plane landed, it took nearly an hour to get through customs. While waiting, I met a nice American couple, one of which had previously visited Swansea University.
Just getting to my flat was the hardest part; it took me two tries to find the proper platform for the Heathrow Express and then I turned down the wrong street after picking up my keys, all while dragging my bags - which by then felt like they weighed about 100 pounds each - behind me and having not drunken anything since breakfast.
Even though the weather in London was nice, it had felt like 90 degrees in the customs waiting area at the airport and even the air-conditioned Heathrow Express train wasn't enough to cool me off. Once I was in my flat, the first thing I did was change out of my sweat-soaked cloathes and take a shower, though it did take me a little to figure out how to use the toilet and shower.
I've already walked around our section of London a few times, each time venturing out a bit further. The thing that strikes me most, besides how much older the buildings are, is how much it doesn't feel like another country. It's more like visiting Boston, but without the comforts of home.
One thing I was not prepared for was how many security cameras there are around here. There's three in the area around our flat door alone. Another thing I wasn't prepared for was having seven flights of stairs to walk up to get to my flat with no elevator option, which isn't too bad and is a good way to get exercise, but there's not much air circulation in the building and it often feels warmer than outside.
On the other hand, I also didn't know that intersections were labeled with directions on which way pedestrians have to look for oncoming traffic ['look left', 'look right']; it's quite useful. Perhaps it's because I don't drive at home, but the whole 'driving on the opposite side of the road' hasn't fazed me at all. (Of course, I've only been on the roads in a vehicle once so far, and that was a licensed taxi to take me from Paddington Station to my flat. The taxis in London, by the way, are almost all black; I haven't decided whether they remind me more of friendly, non-leathal herses or cool, James Bond-type cars.)
Since I didn't sleep on the plane, I went to bed last night at 7 PM. Surprisingly, I ended up waking up at 10:20 PM and worked on a few things until around 1:00 AM, when I went back to bed. Woke up this morning around 6 AM and went to one of the few 24/7 stores around here for breakfast -- orange juice and an apple.
We have orientation today at 11 AM. Depending on how long it lasts, I might go to either the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum after; they're both within walking distance and I've heard that there's no admisson fee. Otherwise, I'll probably just find someplace to eat lunch/dinner and do some food shopping.
Hopefully, I'll be able to update more and post pictures soon.
Just in case I'm not able to get on again this week, here's the schedule I currently had/have:
Sunday, 2 September -- Local Amenities Walk, 6 PM
Monday, 3 September -- Studying in London and Student Life Orientations, 11 AM
Tuesday, 4 September -- Walking Tour of your Local Neighbourhood, 10 AM
Wednesday, 5 September -- Guided Tour of London by Coach, 2 PM
Thursday, 6 September -- Welcome Reception at Imperial College, 6 PM
Monday, 10 September -- Phoenix Theatre for the musical 'Blood Brothers', 7:45 PM
. . . for some reason, I keep thinking it's Tuesday.
The flight to JFK was smooth and short. JFK, on the other hand, was a lot bigger than I expected and it took me a little time plus a few inquiries to find my way to the proper gate.
I wasn't able to sleep at all on the Virgin Atlantic flight, partly because of the anxiousness, partly because the seats didn't allow you much movement room. However, other than the seats, the airplane was nice. The staff served us a full dinner; I had beef and mashed potatoes, brocoli and cheese, a small Greek-style salad with feta cheese, crackers, cheese, a slice of oreo cheesecake, a bun with butter, water, and an after dinner mint. They also gave us breakfast -- tea or coffee with a cereal bar or muffin.
The airline didn't allow the use of wireless or GPS devices on the plane, but they had a really cool built-in entertainment/information system; the screen was on the back of the seat of the person in front of you and the control was under the arm rest on the right side. I watched several movies and TV shows - including TMNT, an episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender, an episode of Doctor Who, and a half-hour documentary on London - and was able to check the flight's status and ETA through a built-in GPS-type screen.
Once our plane landed, it took nearly an hour to get through customs. While waiting, I met a nice American couple, one of which had previously visited Swansea University.
Just getting to my flat was the hardest part; it took me two tries to find the proper platform for the Heathrow Express and then I turned down the wrong street after picking up my keys, all while dragging my bags - which by then felt like they weighed about 100 pounds each - behind me and having not drunken anything since breakfast.
Even though the weather in London was nice, it had felt like 90 degrees in the customs waiting area at the airport and even the air-conditioned Heathrow Express train wasn't enough to cool me off. Once I was in my flat, the first thing I did was change out of my sweat-soaked cloathes and take a shower, though it did take me a little to figure out how to use the toilet and shower.
I've already walked around our section of London a few times, each time venturing out a bit further. The thing that strikes me most, besides how much older the buildings are, is how much it doesn't feel like another country. It's more like visiting Boston, but without the comforts of home.
One thing I was not prepared for was how many security cameras there are around here. There's three in the area around our flat door alone. Another thing I wasn't prepared for was having seven flights of stairs to walk up to get to my flat with no elevator option, which isn't too bad and is a good way to get exercise, but there's not much air circulation in the building and it often feels warmer than outside.
On the other hand, I also didn't know that intersections were labeled with directions on which way pedestrians have to look for oncoming traffic ['look left', 'look right']; it's quite useful. Perhaps it's because I don't drive at home, but the whole 'driving on the opposite side of the road' hasn't fazed me at all. (Of course, I've only been on the roads in a vehicle once so far, and that was a licensed taxi to take me from Paddington Station to my flat. The taxis in London, by the way, are almost all black; I haven't decided whether they remind me more of friendly, non-leathal herses or cool, James Bond-type cars.)
Since I didn't sleep on the plane, I went to bed last night at 7 PM. Surprisingly, I ended up waking up at 10:20 PM and worked on a few things until around 1:00 AM, when I went back to bed. Woke up this morning around 6 AM and went to one of the few 24/7 stores around here for breakfast -- orange juice and an apple.
We have orientation today at 11 AM. Depending on how long it lasts, I might go to either the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum after; they're both within walking distance and I've heard that there's no admisson fee. Otherwise, I'll probably just find someplace to eat lunch/dinner and do some food shopping.
Hopefully, I'll be able to update more and post pictures soon.
Just in case I'm not able to get on again this week, here's the schedule I currently had/have:
Sunday, 2 September -- Local Amenities Walk, 6 PM
Monday, 3 September -- Studying in London and Student Life Orientations, 11 AM
Tuesday, 4 September -- Walking Tour of your Local Neighbourhood, 10 AM
Wednesday, 5 September -- Guided Tour of London by Coach, 2 PM
Thursday, 6 September -- Welcome Reception at Imperial College, 6 PM
Monday, 10 September -- Phoenix Theatre for the musical 'Blood Brothers', 7:45 PM
. . . for some reason, I keep thinking it's Tuesday.
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