Chapter 1. I got no sleep

Literally, I left for the Appleton airport at 7 for my flight at 9. Had a 7 hour layover in Detroit. Flew 7 hours to London. Got here at 7 in the morning. Why didn't I sleep on the flight? Screaming children (yes, multiple) and no comfortable sleeping position. And turbulence. Wasn't my night (or day?). Then once I got there, I met with my coordinators, and sat around the airport until 1030 when the other two girls here in London with me finally arrived. So let's pretend to count and say I've been awake for like 36 hours. Talk about tired!

We should also take a minute to talk about the girls previously mentioned. And everyone else. I am here with Emma from Rhode Island and Kristin from New York who are also studying in Wales as international students. Christina is a coordinator who met us at the airport. So is this other guy who I think is named Rev? And there's Shelby, a coordinator, and Maria, the coordinator of coordinators.

Chapter 2. More optimistic and loving London

So London is amazing! It's exactly like the movies show, but better. Imagine double decker red buses almost hitting you. Classic. We (Sarah, Emma, Kristin, and Shelby) walked down Portobello Road (Bedknobs and Broomsticks anyone?) and grabbed a delicious burger (with gorgonzola cheese!) and enjoyed the marketplace madness. Ever wanted to hear every single language in the world in one place? Portobello Road! We then embarked on the most tiring trip ever. Reminder, I am running on sleep from Friday night. It's now Saturday afternoon. In London. We (now Sarah, Emma, Kristin, and Christina) take the lift (elevator) down to the tube (metro/train/subway) for an exciting adventure in the belly of London where everything humid resides only to find the tube connecting us to our exit is closed. Thus begins exciting adventure #2 in the belly of London where everything humid resides to finally take us half a mile further away then we wanted to be. But don't worry, tour guide Tom helps us. (Another study abroad coordinator). We get on this boat tour thing where we started at the Tower of London, witnessed the London Bridge not fall down, eye up the Eye of London, selfie it up with Big Ben and Westminster Abbey (not Downton Abbey). We then commence to walking. A lot. Like take walking and times it by a million. Plus 36 hours tired. Damn girl. So anyway, the Parliament building was observed (which of course includes Parliament Square), Winston Churchill's statue (which is said to be electrified to keep away pigeons because he hated pigeons. And let me tell you, there were no pigeons in sight). Checked out Nelson Mandela's statue butt, and Abe Lincoln in the stony flesh. Real life phone booths were touched and Buckingham Palace guards on horseback not in front of Buckingham Palace were the subjects of my phone photos. And a video of them switching shifts. Kinda cool. Trafalgar Square was very square-like with a giant blue cock. Literally. There was a statue of a blue rooster. And some gold dude pretending to float. We walked through Piccadilly Circus, past Chinatown and Soho (that would've been cool to see) and finally down some popular street that has all the fancy clothing shops. So at this point it's like 5. No sleep + walking all day = one tired Sarah! So we begin our walk back (yes, I know) to the tube (no exciting encounters) make it back to the correct exit and walk (trust me, I know) to the restaurant for dinner. Turkish food! Ever have grilled chicken bites covered in tomato sauce with kinda sorta sour cream + yogurt dish? Yah, it was interesting. And delicious. And tried fresh hummus. Pronounced "hoomoos" by spaniard Christina. Delish. And then we walk (see my point?) back to the flat (apartment). And are surprisingly awake. That's why I'm still up at 8:42 at night (badass right).

So, that was London. I think I remembered everything. London is huge, and I'm going to come back to enjoy it without sleep deprivation. Tomorrow, we vamos to Swansea Wales. With a four hour train ride (woooooo). And a lot of walking (seriously guys?!). But for now, bed time. Cuz it's 8:45 and seriously getting late. Really here.

Also, everything I talked about should be depicted in photo form (maybe not as fun though) however via Facebook since me starting a blog is about all the excitement I can handle right now.

#YOLO