Adjusting and exploring

Where do I start? I’m starting to feel more at home here. On Saturday, we explored Portobello Road in Notting Hill and had some wonderful green grapes and strawberries in the street market. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. From there, we walked allllll the way through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, past the Albert Memorial and Royal Albert Hall (La Boheme starts in February, will try to go cheaply) on our way to Harrod’s. We didn’t realize that this was the last day of their huge sale so it was wall-to-wall people – we’ll have to go back to explore more. After a long walk back across Hyde Park to the hostel, we treated ourselves to an all-you-can eat pizza buffet for 6GBP and took a nap. In the evening we tried out the Tube and went to Piccadilly Circus on our way to Leicester Square (near Chinatown) where Chinese New Year festivities were in full swing. I’m trying a week-long unlimited tube pass (Oyster card) for 22GBP to see how much I use it… it’s sure handy. On Saturday alone we logged close to 10 miles of walking – the pedometer is keeping track! At this rate, I have a feeling I’m going to be writing home to request a smaller pair of jeans in a month or so.

I finally slept well Saturday night and didn’t get up on Sunday until around noon – it’s pretty noisy in the hostel on the weekends. This place is full of foreign languages and boisterous young people. Dr. and Mrs. Sawyers must be real troopers to put up with all of it. Our rooms are up six flights of narrow stairs (no lift), are small and kinda stinky with two bunk beds and a sink, and have no heat as of yet. The showers are an adjustment, too, although mostly hot. We’re grateful for the studio room to be together and spread out a little bit. Our location is great, we’re right off of Bayswater Road on the north side of Hyde Park.

On Sunday afternoon, we trekked to Ikea on a mission for towels and pillows since both are slightly questionable at the hostel. While it looked like an easy trip on paper, it meant taking the Circle Line to the Jubilee Line and buying a separate zone 3 ticket to get to Neadsden. Once there, we whipped out the map and tried to find a way to cross two fairly major roads on foot. A half hour later, we arrived, and were successful in our mission. The walk back to Neadsden Station was cold and dark. Only 4 miles walked on Sunday, mostly a tube day. Sleep was heavenly last night with a new, soft pillow with a pillowcase!

We are generally healthy, in good spirits, and still hopeful to find free wireless internet somewhere within the UK. More soon!

Arrived safely (with luggage)

We arrived in London around 11:30am local time today after taking the redeye across the Atlantic from Chicago. I just about lost my cookies overnight due to some insane turbulence over the Atlantic, many thanks to the person who recommended sea bands for motion sickness! We're all so tired that I'm afraid I don't have too many first impressions to share, we haven't done much but haul our heavy suitcases up 4 flights of stairs (I packed light at 55 lbs), cash travelers checks, and find familiar Subway for dinner. The exchange rate is HORRIBLE, the best I could find is £1.91 to $1, so basically everything costs twice as much. The people are definitely not as friendly as in the States and I'm feeling a bit like a fish out of water. The hostel is, well... homey. At least there's hot water, and it's literally just steps from Hyde Park. 'Classes' don't start until Monday so I think we'll investigate the Tube tomorrow and head into the city center. Hopefully a good night sleep will help. I'm wishing I'd brought more than one sweater but I tried to pack as lightly and efficiently as possible!

Two roommates and I went in an on Orange Phone, basically a prepaid mobile phone that receives free incoming calls from wherever. If you have a second, you might call - from the US, dial 011 44 07980370938. (You might not need to dial the first 0.) We are 6 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.

Hallmark friends, I already found a Hallmark really close to where we live! It's everywhere.
More to come. Cheers!

Sore back, tired arms.

I'm moved out of my apartment (again)... might have to consider NOT living on the third floor next time, lots of going up and down this weekend. Just four more days left! Have I started packing yet? Oh no. I'm living at my parents' for these few days amidst an endless sea of boxes and furniture. I'm turning in keys and working all day tomorrow in Lincoln, have two summer internship interviews and then I'm off at 2:40pm on Thursday. Where has the time gone?!

I fell in love with Oregon.

All I can say is WOW. This was the hardest trip to come home from - it is so beautiful that I can't even find the words. In four days, Chris and I hiked the waterfalls in Silver Creek State Park near Silverton, drove through the coastal mountain range on old logging roads through the Siletz River gorge, drove down the coast on US-101, walked on the beach and saw otters, lighthouses, and an incredible sunset, had amazing Tillamook cheese and clam chowder on the ocean, drove through the Cascades where there was a good 5' of snow, spent time with his wonderful family in Klamath Falls, went up to Crater Lake where there was 12' of snow (!!!!), walked along the Rogue River gorge, made snow angels, snowshoed at Diamond Lake and then drove ALLLLLL the way back up to Portland. IN FOUR DAYS! It was wonderful to see Chris; it had been 8 years since we'd seen each other and we were both surprised that our feelings for each other haven't changed since our innocent middle school romance. I never thought I'd consider living on the west coast but now, I may have some decisions to make when I finish my Masters.

View more photos in My Photo Album.
From the rainforest to the ocean to the mountains... I can't wait to go back!!

Come back, winter...

I must vent. As I write this, it is 60 degrees and sunny outside. Today is January 11th (WINTER, in case you forgot) -- why is it so hot?! I hate it! In rebellion, I'm fleeing to Oregon tomorrow with hope of finding some snow at Crater Lake.

PS - I had to get a tetanus shot yesterday. Yup, they still hurt as much as they did when we were 5...