Journey across the pond.

Like I said, I left the US around 11:20am on Wednesday morning. I was scared/excited/sad/nervous all at once but I tried to let only the excitement show. I spent the transatlantic flight sitting next to a girl about my age from DC and we became pretty fast pals. It was nice to have a travel companion even if it was just for a short time.

We landed in London around 6 Thursday morning and I had plans to meet with Ruby from Regent's College to finish my registration at 10am. I figured this should be enough time to drop a bag off at the hostel and get to Regent's, right? Well. Time to see if I'm ready for the big city:

Made it through customs, retrieved my luggage, and found the Gatwick Express train to London relatively easily... airport navigation: check!

The train was taking me to Victoria Station where Mom and I came in last summer so I felt fairly comfortable arriving there. Got to Victoria Station, topped off my Oyster card for usage on the Tube, weaseled my way through a couple different Tube lines, and made it to my stop all with at least 80lbs of luggage attached to me... mastered use of London public transportation: check.

My hostel, Palmer's Lodge, claimed to be about 100yards from this tube stop and I was feeling kind of cocky about how easily I had managed myself thus far. I got to the end of the first block before I realized I wasn't even on the right street. Hmm, I'll just make the block I thought.

Made the block, and another block, and another block.. and another... and...another... I passed my tube station exit like five times and still could not find stupid Palmer's Lodge.

I consulted my maps. I asked a couple of people. Ughhh! Nothing is helping! I felt a tiny twinge of panic, like I'm here all alone, I have no one to trust! when finally in my delirium I spotted a man walking towards me with one of those frontal-carrying baby-backpacks and I thought this man has a baby on his belly - he is trustworthy. He pointed me in the right direction and ensured me that "Palmer's Lodge really is quite lovely, you'll enjoy it!"

After a short 45degree incline I found Palmer's Lodge waiting for me in all its Victorian glory! Thank the loooorrrrrd. London street savvy... needs work.