London Calling

The official adventure has begun! 

We arrived in London yesterday morning at 10:30 local time, and were shuttled immediately to our hotel in South Kensington. We were then set loose on the surrounding neighborhood to find snacks, exchange currency, and explore. After we settled into our rooms and took much-needed showers, Alex and I walked to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The V&A is a fashion, furniture, and art museum, great for just wandering and admiring. Then we spent a relaxing hour relaxing in the V&A cafe, where I drank an entire pot of peppermint tea! We then proceeded to our first official function - "Welcome Drinks," where the free bar welcomed many of the less jet-lagged among us to partake of wine and beer. After this, I was in DIRE need of food, and I went with a small group to a nearby pub. We were all exhausted and hoping for some fish 'n chips, and looking forward to collapsing onto our rock-hard hotel beds. But no - instead, I introduce to you all...

ADVENTURE ALERT!!!

Before we had even opened our menus, an elderly British man sporting glasses and a blazer introduced himself and began telling us stories and dropping some rather lewd comments. Obviously well on his way to intoxication, this professor lookalike insisted that we call him "Uncle Timmy" and proceeded to order two expensive bottles of champagne for the table! He obviously took an immediate liking to us, and shared wisdom with us on many subjects - including banking (J.P. Morgan is the best in the world), Playboy Magazine (a true historical primary source), skinny dipping (a favorite pastime), and the proper way to treat a lady (never ever ever spank a lady). So there we were in a crowded British pub, soaking in the life stories and sexual innuendos of a welcoming British stranger. It was absolutely surreal and the perfect way to start the trip! :)

Unfortunately, jet-lag kept me from a good night's sleep. Although I got to bed at 10ish London time, I continued to wake up and sleep throughout the night. This morning was the all-inclusive London Coach Tour, in which we toured the entire city of London from the comfortable seat of a bus. We ended the trip at Covent Gardens, where I enjoyed my very first Cornish Pasty - a sort of pastry with meat inside. Then, Alex and I walked to the British Museum, which houses the famous Rosetta Stone. We also got to see some really awesome mummies and Egyptian statues in the Egyptian wing. Completely exhausted, we then trekked to the nearest tube station to get back to the hotel, and grabbed our computers for the internet cafe. So here I sit, dreading the fact that I have to be in the hotel lobby at 5 am tomorrow morning. And then off to Munich!

This is Julia Miller reporting for The Blague. Talk to you all soon!