Hello from London!

Now that I have been in London for almost a full two weeks, I realized that I had no way to share photos and stories to everyone. My brilliant friend Calais has a blog, and I quickly realized that is the best way to let you all see what I have been up to!

It's hard to believe we just got here...with all the adventures we've had, I feel like I've been here for at least a month! I am surprised how easily I have adapted to living in a foreign city...granted, London is much more "American" than Italy or Madrid, but nevertheless, I have found that it is a wonderfully convenient city to live in. The tube is brilliant and makes me wish we had a better transportation system in San Francisco and Winston-Salem. It is fast, efficient and easy even for the un-experienced Londoner.

So far, I have gone( in between Orientation lectures on London culture and politics) to see some notable sights in London, including Buckingham Palace, Notting Hill, Kensington Palace, and the Thames River. I am slightly overwhelmed with everything there is to do, but my favorite moments have been those in which we stroll around and happen to see landmarks along the way. There is nothing better than getting lost in London.

This weekend, Calais, Kendall and I decided to venture out of the London to Brighton, a little town an hour out on the train. We left Friday afternoon after a fashionable evening at some of the stores downtown for Fashion Week. Brighton was....well, the "new Barcelona", as they call it. An unbelievably pretty town full of kitschy stores and bohemians, it was definitely a change from the elegance of London. We stayed at a lovely, quite reasonable hotel that was right on the wharf overlooking the beach, and upon arriving, strolled along the main street soaking it all in. If I had to describe Brighton, I would call it a mix between Coney Island and Mrytle Beach. A mecca of tourism and randomness.

I am so glad that I am not only 100% outside of my comfort zone, but surrounded by people who are just as thrilled to discover all that is Europe! It can be incredibly exhausting and yet completely exhilarating. I am happy and feeling quite comfortable living here, which is a relief! Although I am missing all of you back in SF and the dash, know that I am thinking about you and look forward to being reunited in December.