I just finished up my first week in London, and all I can say is this: I WAS MEANT TO BE HERE.
But I must admit, the week leading up to my trip, I felt everything but excitement. I felt nervous and scared for what lay ahead of me.
But as I sit here on the couch with my feet aching, it’s hard to believe how much I have been through in just one week. And the blisters on my feet prove it.
When I first got out of the airplane, it was easy to see and hear the immense amount of culture that lay within the city, and all the aspects of it that I would be able to discover. I was in a city where I’d be able to experience a diverse amount of cultures while communicating in the language I had spoken my whole life. What can be better than that!?!
So of course you can imagine my excitement when I took a look outside the coach, and saw that in addition to that I’d be living here for the next 3 months:
While walking down streets like this daily:
A lot of people assume that because the Americans and British both share English as a common language, they are almost identical in terms of culture. But this couldn’t be any more wrong. Here are five differences that I already need to get accustomed to:
- Any sort of combo is an American thing: Imagine my disbelief when I went to Subway and ordered a sandwich, chips, drink, and cookie, only to find out that I had to pay for all of these Items separately. Not to mention the fact that I learned that I wouldn’t be getting salt and vinegar or avocadoes, because that too was only an American thing.
- Sadly, the dollar is worth nothing here: And that doesn’t mean that it is made up for with cheaper prices. Every time I buy something here, I need to remember that I’m really paying double. Including that Subway sandwich, hahaha.
- Apparently cold drinks are also uncommon here: I went to a café and ordered orange juice, and was pleasantly surprised when I saw the waiter squeezing the oranges for my drink in front of me. But when I asked him to put ice in it (because it was lukewarm) he had no idea what I was talking about. The same thing happens when I ask for ice in my water. Funny right?
- Here going to a club isn’t synonymous with outfits made exclusively out of spandex: THANK GOD. Because with a derriere like mine, I can’t be bothered with pulling down my dress all night. Here they dress in a sexy/classy way when they hit the town. It isn’t odd to wear a cute dress with tights or something that is leaving something to the imagination. And this means the guys treat you a lot better when you go out. Shocking concept, right??
- The guys here no how to dress. It isn’t strange to see men (and teens) wearing a nice shirt, tucked in to a nice pair of jeans or pants with nice shoes to complete the look. Here that is what it means to have ‘swag’ . Which if I must say, is very nice to look at
Right now I am completely content with my life, and I am excited for all of the experiences that await me here. Every day I have to pinch myself to make sure my life is real.
*** I just celebrated my 19th Birthday here, which was an experience all in itself. So much so, that it needs its own article So cheers until next time!
So cool! You're doing a great thing! Happy belated birthday!
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