'Ello!

'Ello! I'm in England! Allow me to tell you a bit about it.

Last Sunday, I stood over my suitcase--which was completely stuffed and practically bursting at the seams--and realized that I, Lauren, was about to embark on an adventure the likes of which I had never experienced before. I had had a really nice day, spent at a family picnic and pool party at my aunt's house, where I had gotten to see my cousins and family members for the last time before my departure. It got a bit more stressful after that--there was the hectic scramble of last minute packing, and then the traffic jam on the way to airport, etc. etc. The plane ride was rather nice--I'd never been on such an enormous plane before--and I mostly just slept.

 It got REALLY stressful once I landed. I was still all groggy and sleepy, but had a huge, confusing adventure to undertake. That is, I needed to find my way from the airport in London to the school in Cambridge, a journey which was to involve a train ride, and a bus ride, and a taxi ride. I figured that the journey would be a bit easier if I could find a companion. So, upon landing in London, I nervously scoped the area for potential UNH students, but had no luck. I even stood at the International Arrivals area for a solid hour with a sign, but my efforts were in vain. Luckily, when I arrived at the bus station, I discovered a UNH student, and she became my companion for the rest of the day. Her name is Erin and she is very nice; I am glad to have met her. She and I are best mates now! So anyways, she and I took a 3.5 hour bus ride to Cambridge, and then lugged our enormous bags to campus. We were quite the sight to behold, I imagine, as we traipsed fecklessly on the cobblestone roads of Cambridge. We got dreadfully lost for a bit because all of the colleges are extremely close together, and are all hidden within these archaic archways, set into tall, crumbling brick walls. But eventually, with the help of some locals, we found where we needed to be, and made it just in time for tea. 

Cambridge is lovely, and is completely different from any other place I have ever visited. The vegetation is very much like New England, but perhaps a bit more sallow and haggard. The weather is nice, a bit cooler than home, but still shorts-friendly. It is such an interesting place, though. It is simultaneously quaint and decrepit, lavish and demure. The roads are cobblestone, the buildings are stooped and ancient, the architecture reminiscent of that of the 18th and 19th century. It feels like I have stepped into a Jane Austen novel. I am in love with the layout of the buildings. Narrow archways, hidden spiral staircases, and winding hallways...it's like Hogwarts castle! And, due the company I have been keeping, the Harry Potter references have been constant. It has been extremely refreshing to be among like-minded individuals--everyone gets my allusions, no matter how nerdy or obscure. 

Still, there are some drawbacks to this set up. Firstly, there is no internet in my room. Also, the food has proven to be rather...well, it's just not that great. We are served breakfast and dinner everyday, which is nice. Unfortunately, breakfast is only served from 8:15-9:15, so I have a feeling I may be skipping that frequently. My classes are at 11:15 Monday through Thursday. To give you an indication of the food, they dole out packets of Helmans mayonnaise as a form of salad dressing. I have been eating some pretty weird stuff, like lamb and duck. I guess I'll just have to keep an open mind. 

I've met some really awesome people on this trip. After dinner every night, my friends and I go to the school's pub, called the Buttery. We stay there until it closes at eleven, knocking back pint after pint, and then head out to the local pubs and clubs. The bartender at the Buttery is named Vicky, and she's extremely sweet. She always jokes with me and says, "Are you a bit hung over today? Didn't make it breakfast today then, did you?" Some of my closest friends are Erin, a silly, kind little redhead who is all the more charming for her occasional clumsiness, Britney, a well-traveled, beautiful flower child, Tyler, a hilarious, outgoing scalawag, Angel, an excitable, lovely little blonde pipsqueak who reminds me constantly of my old roommate Aly, Megan, a fun-loving firecracker and lover of wine, Caitlin, a blonde little literature buff with a pension for shopping and words, and Daniel...well, how does one describe Daniel?

Daniel is unlike any other person I have ever met before. Our initial conversations were conducted in a question-answer format. Daniel would ask a question, and I would answer it. He is a philosophy major, is slightly intimidating, but is also completely and utterly brilliant. I think of him as a revolutionary, continually on the quest for knowledge, and continually instilling and encouraging other to question everything around them. He has so far blown the hypocritical lid off this hoity-toity program, and had almost gotten kicked out, not for idiotic drunken behavior, but for refusing to go along with things with which he doesn't agree. The kid is the man. 

My computer is about to die, so I must be off. But anyways, I am absolutely in love with England, and am so happy to be here. 

Jolly good then, gov'na. 

-Lauren