First Impressions

I made a list of my initial reactions and random thoughts I had during my journey to the Wales.

1.  We have to wear full seat belts on the RailAir bus from London-Heathrow to Reading.

2.  Wishing I had not left my sunglasses at home for Dad to ship me in a few weeks, because it was  bright, sunny, and cold when I arrived.

3.  Airplane food is awful.

4.  Queuing is apparently a big deal--just because you don't see the line doesn't mean you can assume there isn't one.

5.  Driving/riding on the wrong side of the road is terrifying!

6.  I have officially pulled an all-nighter plus about four hours.

7.  Buses have wifi?!?

8.  My mental voice has somehow morphed into a strange Southern/British hybrid.

9.  There is no easy way to get from Heathrow Terminal 4 to the Central Bus Terminal...I tried to find an easier way and failed.

10.  People actually wear those? (referring to the high heeled wedge sneakers Nike has been pushing on the normal population the past few years)

11.  The British really like their traffic circles.

12.  That is the biggest piece of fish I have ever seen!  (Someone sitting at a nearby table ordered fish and chips.  The piece of fish was literally a foot long.)

12.  Everyone is so polite!  It's great, but I'm beginning to wonder if my good manners are up to par.

13.  How does Subway not have yellow mustard?

14.  Yeah, I could definitely sleep on a train (it was 5 am PST and my jet lag was starting to set in.)

15.  Chicken Bacon & Welsh Cheese Panini for dinner? Yes, please!

16.  I'm officially a fan of art galleries--particularly impressionists and Alfred Sisley.

17.  Everyone in Wales is so friendly!

18.  The whole "Arcade" layout of the shopping centers is really cool!  It's like being able to shop outdoors minus the rain and wind.

19.  UK Public transportation is not sketchy.

20.  Apparently, the sunshine was a fluke...normal Wales weather is very wet.

Packed and Ready to Go

My bed in the pre-packing stage.

All of the packing advice I've read on the internet said to lay out everything that I wanted to pack, and then take half...I have to admit, it is a lot harder than it looks!

Those of you who know me know how attached I am to my wardrobe.  Style is my favorite medium of self expression, and I take it very seriously.  Packing for six months with only a carry on suitcase and a Vera Bradley duffel bag is any fashion-focused girl's nightmare.  I ended up packing my duffel and suitcase once, only to find out the items I had planned to put in my backpack weren't going to fit. So after completely re-packing all three bags, and sacrificing a few items to either stay home or be shipped later, I finally zipped up my bags and am ready to go.

The final result.

It's been a busy week, but it's gone by in a flash.  I can't believe I'm leaving for Wales in the morning!  Time has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday that I was still summer, and I was daydreaming about jetting off to the United Kingdom. 

It was harder than I expected to have to say all of my goodbyes, but my Dad pointed out that its more of a "see you in six months" than a real "farewell."  It was kind of sad, but I know that I have it much easier than the kids before did.  I've set up Skype dates and phone calls that will definitely help me keep up with all of the happenings back home.

Despite my slight nervousness, I am so excited that my adventure is finally here!  Next stop Cardiff!