Rain rain go away

My first weekend was very productive, but seemed to go by so quickly. I've had some trouble sleeping with the time difference and the fact that my small single bed has springs that poke me right in the ribs.  So Friday night, I took some Tylenol PM, so I could hopefully have one good night sleep, well it worked since I woke up at 1:30 pm.  At least I got a good nights sleep for one night. 

I had no big plans this past weekend but was able to buy a cell phone (the plans aren't very good over here, but I found the best one I think), hairdryer, and groceries.  Not to mention check out some of the local shopping.  I haven't bought anything yet, but have scouted out the best places which include Primark (a store that is really cheap and has some cute things, but it is crazy busy all the time.  Imagine Black Friday shopping then times that by 5) and Top Shop, a store I fell in love with when I visited London 5 years ago.  On Sunday a group of us also walked through Hyde Park, a beautiful park in the city.  On Sundays, artists set up their work on the north side and you can walk up and down looking at their pieces and buy the artwork.  I haven't gotten anything yet, but am keeping my eye out because I definitely plan to bring some art back to the States.

Finally today was my first official day of school!!!!  The weather forecast said it was supposed to be nice weather and not rain which is perfect because today we did a 3 1/2 hour walk by the Thames River and around Westminster and Tower Bridge.  However, the city of London had a different idea.  In true London fashion it was a down pour in the morning and finally stopped raining around 1 which is when we finished.  I wish the weather was a little nicer so I could enjoy the walk more, because no matter how amazing the sites are, when your shoes and socks are soaking wet and your feet are cold, there's only so much fun you can have.  But, the information that my professor Phillipa provided was so fascinating.  I never knew how interesting British history, especially the royal families, was.  Each person in my group was given a person to research and then tell the group of their history.  I got Anne Boleyn.  I'm sure many of you already know something about her, but I knew very little and enjoyed discovering her history.  Which included how she was beheaded because she could not give the king Henry VIII a son, even though their daughter continued on to become one of the greatest Queens in London, that ruled without a man by her side.

Throughout the past week I've also had some amazing food. I went to a great coffee shop, Costa which is a main chain in London and got my first cappucino and pastry.  The cappucino was ok, I'm not a huge coffee person, but the pastry was incredible.  If I could I would buy a bunch and ship one back to everyone I know.  P.S. it had chocolate in it!!

I've also found some great hole in the wall places where I've gotten some baklava and spanish tapas.  I also have rediscovered the joy of Kinder Bueno.  A great chocolate bar, with hazelnut cream in the center.  Doesn't sound too shabby right??

However, it was an adventure to get my Kinder Bueno.  The short version is that I was at a pub with a group and decided to go with a friend to the Tesco Express, our local small minimart grocery store about 1 block away.  After about 5 minutes, we came out to our friends that said they saw a fight right outside the pub we were at down the street and they had called the police. It was nothing too serious, and I don't know the exact details besides there was a broom and a belt involved.  The fight was between some locals, and didn't involve any of us at all, so no worries.  The ambulance was there and helped two of the guys. It was a little intense but that's a big city for you. But..... on the bright side, I got my kinder bueno.

Below are just a few pictures I've taken since I've been here. I need to take alot more and will post some later.

Here I am on my first day of school in London ready to face the rainy weather!! Just like the pictures I used to take on my first day of school in elementary school.

A quick picture with the Tower Bridge.  It was still raining.........

It finally stopped raining so I was able to get a picture with Big Ben and the Parliament building.  Quick fact, did you know that Big Ben refers to the bell inside the tower, not the actual clock or structure??