And So It Begins...

Well today is my second day across the pond and due to my sleep deprivation, I think it is best that I start recording what I'm doing because due to a tea/topshop/train-induced coma I will likely forget what I've done. I made the mistake of not keeping a journal during Running Through History two years ago but I had a paper itinerary so that made things a little easier. I kept a poetry journal which now that I'm looking back on it is very stereotypical of a broody teenager. Anyway, my flight left Atlanta on Saturday, June 9th around 9:35pm which means it was a night flight. This last detail proved to be very difficult as I managed to sleep for about 2 hours total---in and out---for the entire flight. Such a problem got worse as I was sitting to a man who a) didn't speak english and b) started leaning on me as he fell asleep. Since he wouldn't understand what I said if I told him to get off, I resorted to a contorted position against my pinching chair--lovely. However, I did manage to get some reading done, as well as watch Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, The Big Bang Theory (hello Kevin), and Family Guy. Anyway, I got to the Poole's home with ease and have been bunking with them ever since. True to English fashion, the food here has been INCREDIBLE---and not processed which is even better for my poor stomach. Chick-fil-a is a fine establishment, but I think that all of the grease has started to affect my overall health. Anyway, yesterday we ate a delicious bowl of wild chicken soup with foccacia in olive oil for lunch and had absolutely incredible chicken/ribs with a beetroot salad (and homemade vinaigrette!). Afterwards, I went to sleep around 9:30 here (and I felt lame) but I woke up wonderfully well-rested. Today, Catherine and I walked to the train station where we got on and boarded for Victoria Station. Here, we took an underground tunnel to the Victorian and Albert Museum (it was raining) where we wandered around and looked at fashion and asian exhibits before lunch. After about two hours, we stumbled into the cafe in the Museum to eat and I had an amazing Crostini with italian meat, olives, mozzarella cheese, and tomatoes as well as a cucumber/grape/celery salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing! SO GOOD--and that's coming from someone who hates celery. Next, we headed to Harrods (side note: the building is gorgeous) where we decided which handbags we would eventually own with our multimillion dollar salaries that we would soon have. Catherine decided on a Mulberry bag and I had a panic attack for Burberry/Tory Burch bags/wallets. I ended up just buying a tin of cookies (excuse me--biscuits) that have an English flag and a border that reads "Truly Great" around. Then we went to Topshop where I bought a black maxi dress after sorting through clothing that was way too cool/European (I believe those words are synonymous now) for me. Before heading home, Catherine and I stopped into Accessorize where she bought a pair of flip flops. Afterwards, our feet were aching like crazy so we hopped on a train back to her house where we opened the biscuit tin and had then with tea! (Shout out to Lillian---I like tea now). Now we're just bundled around the TV and enjoying watching the England vs. France game in the European Cup/staying out of the rain! GO ENGLAND!

(not a great quality picture but here is a collage of my day!!!)