Can I just say, “Wow, is this really happening?” As my mom put it, “You picked the perfect place to live- a place out of a fairy tale with an H&M in it.” Words cannot describe the mix of emotions I’m feeling right now. I’m absolutely thrilled; I’m already sad to leave. But at the same time, I’m completely terrified. I don’t really know anyone here. Sure, there are the incredibly friendly strangers that I’ve met… but is there anyone here that I can truly count on?
Okay, rewind. My mom and I left London on Friday morning. I’d fallen in love with the city and I was very sad to say goodbye. We loaded our four massive suitcases on the underground- in a JAMMED PACKED TUBE. Definitely the low-light of the trip. We then lugged the luggage up A HOLE BUNCH OF STAIRS and transferred to a rail to Canterbury. This was pretty funny- but it’s one of those ya-had –to-be-there situations. My mother was under the impression that you checked luggage on trains. So, we went to a place that stores luggage, (while you’re in the train station), and had a ten-minute conversation with a man that assumed we’d be picking up the suitcases in a few hours. My mom said, “So we pay you when we get there?” And he said, “Yes, you pay when you get back”. And my mom said, “So we’ll pay you when we get there?” Geez. You have no idea.
After that incredibly embarrassing situation, we had to plan our route to Canterbury. We missed a few trains and made some incredibly stupid mistakes, but we still managed to get here.
When we arrived, we checked in to our B&B, “The House of Agnes”. Let me just say that this was the PERFECT place we could have possibly stayed in. The history of it was immense: the house itself has been around since the 900’s, and Charles Dickens mentioned it in one of his
novels. Also, our room was lovely and the location was ideal.
After we got settled, we went for a walk through the city, and I have found it to be the most beautiful city that I have ever been in. The architecture and cobble-stone streets show the city’s history; while at the same time, there are modern shops and restaurants that will provide great entertainment. The spectacular Canterbury Cathedral hangs in the background while shopping- wow. At the end of the main road, there is an outdoor shopping mall that fits the landscape of the rest of town… and there’s an H&M!!!!! But really, my words are not doing this place justice- Canterbury is perfect.
After our city walk, we ate lunch at Subway, and went on a private boat ride down the Canterbury River (or shall I say canal). The river winded through the country-side and gardens of Kent. Once again, words cannot describe the magnificence of this place. There were tons of weeping willows hanging over the water. So pretty.
After our boat ride, we went for a walk up to campus. This was a bit of hike (and all up-hill), but we finally got there. And once again, my expectations were surpassed. Sorry to sound so darn giddy, but this campus is stunning. This campus is what I was looking for when I graduated high school. Its what I think of when I think of Ivy League schools. It overlooks Canterbury and the Cathedral; truly gorgeous.
After we wandered around on campus, we headed back to town and ate at a fun Mexican restaurant. The drinks were excellent: I had Sangria and a Pina Colada and my mom had a Margarita. The food was a bit spicy though.
After dinner, we went back to our fabulous B&B, watched Friends, and dozed off in our unfortunately over-heated room.
Today, I woke up and ate a delicious English Breakfast at our B&B, shopped a bit for my dorm, packed up my junk, and took a taxi to campus. We were greeted by a bunch of friendly students in some bright lime green shirts, AKA the Welcome Crew. And what a welcome it was. Three guys helped us carry our three suitcases all the way to my house, answering all of our questions on the way. My mom called them the “Move-In Fairies”. (Except they weren’t gay. Don’t get that impression.)
My house is so cute. It’s the perfect size. I love it.
I unpacked a bit, struggled with the oh-so-annoying internet, and walked around on campus with Mom getting registered. We ate lunch at the Theatre Café, shopped some more, then dropped off more junk at my dorm.
Then we took a double-decker bus to the city, (WHICH IS LIKE RIDING ON A ROLLER COASTER IF YOU SIT IN THE TOP. SO MUCH FUN!!!!!), bought MORE stuff for my dorm- (sheets, hangers, an alarm clock, ect.), and then I walked my mom to the train station.
Time to say goodbye. :’( After she left, I was really sad. It hit me- I’d be pretty much on my own for three whole months. Man, do I hate goodbyes.
So I took the bus back to campus and began unpacking. Around 7:30 PM, I went for a walk and two British guys came up to me asking if I’d like to go out to the Campus Bars and Night Clubs with their group. Seriously, these people can’t get any nicer. They said they weren’t leaving until 9:30ish and to meet them back there later.
Went to Parkwood Essentials, got some cereal, milk, and wine and headed back to the house. When I got back, I finally met some of my roommates. Get this: I have a girl roommate from Austria, a guy roommate from the Czech Republic, and another guy roommate from France. Holy cow, how cool is this?!!!!? And they are all so incredibly friendly, and no psychos, (just yet anyways… I still have 2 more to come). So I ate my cereal and drank my wine, and talked to my roommates for forever, and I’m now completely exhausted. So I’m going to skip out on the Campus Bar Crawl tonight, but I can’t wait for tomorrow.
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