Golly!

Last night we met a friend of TR who is studying in London and some of her friends in Piccadilly Circus and walked to a pub called Walkabout. This is considered a "cheap" student friendly bar. It is in this grand hall with a huge domed roof. Pretty amazing structure. Her friends told us we had to try a "Snakebite." Using the logic that has gotten us into trouble in every country we have been in we said "when in rome..." and ordered Snakebites. I'm not completely clear on what is in it, but from what I can tell half of it is cider, half Fosters, and then on top some grape liquor is poured in the shape of an "S." It tastes like grape beer. Quite tasty actually. Rugby and cricket were playing on multiple TV's all around the room. It was a really fun atmosphere. I ate fish and chips just to get the trip started off right. The group then insisted that we try an English beer so we are prepared in the future or something. I tried a John Smith. It was thick like Guinness and tasted great. From there we hurried to the theater to see The Lion King. My Aunt Kimberly is right, the show was fantastic. We really enjoyed it. The costumes and puppets are unbelievable. I can't wait to see more plays and musicals here. Hopefully in the future they will be at more of a discount. The only problem with the musical was that the theater was in the upper 80's. It was so hot! I don't know how the actors performed in those conditions.

After the musical we walked through Trafalgar Square to the Texas Embassy. We are told it is owned by the same person that owns Three Forks in Texas. We felt at home there, but were dismayed when the bar tender told us our Texas Drivers License's didn't entitle us to a discount. The menu is full of Texas stuff we hadn't seen in almost three weeks. Doesn't sound like long, but believe me, when it comes to Texas food and drinks it is. I quickly found Dos Equis on the menu and ordered one. It wasn't cheap, but really neat to be in London in a restaraunt that seemed like Chuys. In the middle of the drink I got a call from one of the girls in the program I'm doing that e-mailed me the day before. We met up with her and some American students she met that are working in the US Embassy in London.

The girl was very nice and funny. I think the best way to describe her is gregarious. We walked around with them for a bit and then said farewell and made it to the Underground just in time to catch it back to our hostel. Evidently the girl is living in the floor directly above my room. She has reported that the rooms are very nice. I hope so.

I took the underground to Oxford Street just an hour ago and I was approached by a British woman asking me about how to get to Tottenham Court Station on the Underground. She thought I was British and knew what I was doing. I laughed a little when she asked and then told her where to go. I have studied London so much thanks to the notebook Anna gave me and Google Earth I gave her good directions and she thanked me. I could tell she was surprised I was speaking in an American accent.

I am now sitting in the two story Starbucks on Oxford Street having a cold Mocha Frap in honor of one of my favorite high school teachers, Mr. Shulman. He went to grad school in London and as I said before was a major factor in me wanting to intern here. While in grad school and interning in Parliament, Mr. Shulman was part of the crew that opened this Starbucks. Pretty cool stuff.

Ajay and TR have been pointing out my Texas accent at various points on the trip. I have a habit of saying "Golly" evidently in a very Texas way and they make fun of me constantly for it. We have seen so many amazing things and whenever I see something really great the first thing I say is "Golly!" They have decided this will not fly in Parliament, but whatever, hopefully it comes off as a nice Southern charm thing and not a redneck thing.

Well I move into my flat in about two hours. I got to walk by the flat last night and it looked very nice and safe. I will say that this area on a Saturday night is nothing short of insane. I am in the heart of the Club/Party/Pub/Young people area. For those of you from Austin, imagine living right above the Aquarium or the Library on 6th Street except this 6th Street is much bigger. I am living right across the street from the real Soho, not the bar in downtown Austin. I know my parents will love knowing this. So basically I think this summer will be nice, quiet, and full of learning.

A quick side note for all of you in the US. Make the dollar stronger. I just paid 3 pounds for a frap here. Yes, a frap in the US is around 3 american dollars, but here 3 pounds comes out to 6 american dollars!?!? Basically everything here is priced the same or a bit more than in the US, but with the conversion rate it comes out to double! Fish and Chips last night 6 pounds plus two drinks for 3 pounds each comes out to 12 pounds aka 24 american dollars!?!?!

Somehow I will get over this, but for now Yikes! I'm looking forward to going to the grocery store and getting bread and sandwich meat. Over the next month please make sure the American economy gets better. I have 3 months here and I don't believe I will make it otherwise. Hope everyone is having a great Sunday! More to come once I get moved in!