Just Like Home But With Funnier Accents

After four days and much traveling, rain and drama I have made it to Cambridge. I left on Sunday evening after a day filled with repacking and breakfast with Brianne. I had some last minute packing to do (surprise surprise). After much sweat and tears I was able to pack all my things into two checked bags and one very stuffed carry on. After a meal of mac and cheese (I was trying to think of something very American) and a few text message good byes my parents and I made our way to the airport. The plan was to meet Brian and Vicktor at the terminal before we checked our luggage in. Anyone who has ever been to Logan or has tried to get to an airport can figure that this did not go to plan. After my Mom and I walked the length of the terminal a few times trying to find the tiny red Virgin Atlantic sign we ended up back where we started. After waiting for a while for Brian and Vicktor I decided to just get my ticket and check my bags. That is when the real fun started. My carry on bag (or hand bag as the Brits say) was overweight by a lot and was told that I would have to check it along with my child aka Macbook. As I had a mini panic attack with the guy at the check in my parents tried to help me repack. As that was being sorted out Brian and Vicktor arrived by way of the T which explains the lateness. After minimal incidents going through security (my bag needed to be searched because I didn’t put my shaving cream in the quart size bag) we made it on our Virgin Atlantic flight. Virgin Atlantic reminded me of Jet Blue with the individual TV screens on the back of the chairs you could even text message someone sitting in another seat. The meal was tasty for airplane food and we got wine with it. Another perk was our overnight pack with all the essentials toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs and socks. After watching 27 Dresses I was able to sleep for a couple of hours and woke up looked out the window and the London Eye was in view.
We had finally made it! After going through customs and picking up my very heavy luggage we met up with two other Northeastern students and made our way to the coach that would bring us to the University of Cambridge. I was able to fall asleep on the drive to Cambridge which was for the better since the driver was insane. Luckily we made it safe and sound to our respective colleges (one going to Sewlyn and the rest of us at Newnham) we received our keys to our home for the next six weeks. I walked into my room on the third floor (or in England the second floor) and found four tables, three chairs, a bed, chest, and desk. Every room is different here with Vicktor’s having a balcony and chaise (be jealous Brianne) and Brian’s is slightly smaller. At Northeastern I’m use to everything being uniform if not in size like Light Hall then at least with the same furniture or something close to it. After some rearranging my room is a little less like a restaurant and more like a dorm room. After taking a nap I went out exploring with Melissa another student at Northeastern. One thing that I learned early on is that pedestrians have no rights at all here and got splashed by a car driving right into a puddle. We found some Borders as well as the University book store, a shopping mall and a grocery store. I stocked up on water and postcards (everyone check their mailboxes). The real disappointment and problem was that I was not able to find any of the other books that I need. Which makes me concerned since apparently I was suppose to read them before class started. The directions that I had received on my syllabus were vague and I’m not use to having to prepare that much for a course especially at Northeastern. We made it back in time for dinner which was not bad pasta and chicken and dessert (not quite Boloco ). After orientation Brian, Vicktor and I decided to walk around Cambridge and found a cool lounge with couches a juke box and black and white photos of old American movie stars and toasted to our successful arrival to England.

More on classes, British internet and my first week in Cambridge

Cheerio!