The Talented Mr. Whippy's

Oh My God! These past few days have been so fun, that I absolutely don't know where to begin! I'm even beginning to think with a British accent (so just imagine me typing with one)! Where shall I begin?

Yesterday is all somewhat of a blur. I recall that it entailed walking all over the place as usual. Also, as usual, we lost Anna quite a few times yesterday. Steph and I began the process of setting up our bank accounts, went out for lunch with the Brazilians and American- I absolutely love the Brazilians, and walked around some more. You can't even bike properly in this city because there are so many hills- getting to campus everyday will give my legs more exercise than the stairmaster. Last night, we went to the international student orientation where we enjoyed an hour or two of schmoozing up the internationals, followed by a cafeteria dinner (yum....once again glad I did not opt for a meal plan), which was then followed by "British dancing", which I cannot even begin to describe (thank you David). It was quite fun, but I'm sure it was just as entertaining for others to watch us. Shortly after, we headed to the campus pub (there are quite a few of them) which was literally across the hall and had a beer with an American grad student, Allan, and a frenchman, James, who claimed to hate both wine and beer. We were all supposed to meet up at Halo, a club, but it was closed (but was very very lively tonight- more on that in a second). David, Steph, I, and others headed to The Library- no not to study, but to drink (it was a bar), and then to a club- Baja- oh what a fun night that was with the three of us and Chris, who was honestly the strangest jokester I've ever seen. To explain it would not even remotely do his comic disposition any justice. I mean, this guy would point, stop, pause, pause, pause, and pause again, and then laugh genuinely and uncontrollably, pause, and repeat. That night, I don't know what hurt more, my mouth from smiling so much, or my feet from all that walking and dancing.

I want to note that the British are actually a rather social bunch. Another gentleman approached a group of us today and suddenly started arm wrestling with Steph. Just now, a security guard approached a group of us and began joking with us. When he stepped away, one of the girls turned on his windshield wipers and ran away. The British have a wonderfully refreshing sense of humour that I can't help but appreciate.

Today was mainly spent on an exodus for a phone. David, Steph and I signed up for T-Mobile because they have billing by the second (pay as you go), and the overall cheapest rates as well. I spent the majority of the day looking for a phone that didn't give my hearing aid feedback. I spent at least an hour and some in a store, only to realize the complexity and rediculousness of the rate (in order to get the proposed price of the phone, I had to purchase from a certain network, but then use another to make calls- not so practical) so I ended up signing on T-Mobile. All in all it cose me 90 pounds for a nice phone, 25 pounds worth of pay as you go at 12 pence per minute, an extra 5 minutes, as well as insurance- even if the phone gets wet or I drop it (they're big on that here because of all the rain). Basically if my phone gets really scratched up, I may as well drop it and step on it and redeem it for a new one. Not bad. We also met the culinarily talented Mr. Whippy's and had the yummiest but weirdest ice cream concoction- hard ice cream, with soft ice cream and a chocolate stick in it-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I met the rest of my flatmates today- Amy, Amy, Sophia, and Jo, and I of course had slight trouble understanding their accent. It's so strange because to them I'm the one with the accent, and apparently I sound cool and weird. That is weird to me but I don't mind- somewhat of a novelty. Anyways, I convinced everyone to head out to the pubs, as I met up with a friend- there ended up being too many of us to count. I had lotsa fun- let me note that Steph can take a chugging contest on anyone any day (I tied her last night). Tomorrow we head of to Scarborough, the real one, just on the coast of England, the first tourist town- which I am rather excited for, and also for which I should rest up!! (not getting much of that anyways). We should be heading out to London next weekend (I really really hope and I can't wait!). p.s. their H and M is nicer than our Gap. tsk tsk. Cheers! ~Rach.