Landed in rainy London and went to our Homestay in Tuffnell / Islington. Apparently there had not been rain like that for 4 months. With all the crazy weather we've had in Texas looks like brought the storms with us!
While we're being taken to our home stays in taxi's we witness an annoyed 'copper' / 'pinhead' / 'flatfoot' flip off a careless driver. Ha. We passed through Kentish Town (where Noel Fielding lives) and then on through Camden town. Shortly we arrived in Tuffnell and are taken through a series of duplexes.
We met the husband first, Charlie. He is the greatest and made us tea--absolute funniest chatter box. He says things like, "Is that you my life long partner of madness!" when his wife, Sally, comes home, and "Tonight I’m going to go to bob bob land" when referring to sleep. Charlie is the quintessential eccentric brit- who looks a little like Bilbo Baggins! I'm so glad we're staying here!
They live in a 4 story duplex (not including the basement) with a 15 year old son and another student from Japan plus- we're located next door to more of our traveling companions! Got a bit lost on the Tube at the change in Camden and such, but made it back to the University where the boys are having Guiness round the corner.
Our window view out of the bedroom is beautiful! We can see in to the neighbors backyard and down into the glass covered back patio where we had dinner that night.
Tonight we all had dinner outside “in the garden” on a red polka dot table. Tom (the neighbors daughter’s boyfriend kept filling our glasses with white wine and more wine). We talked of the kids’ exhibitions, work, and their ginger ninja cat! They served tall broccoli, long green beans, and jersey potatoes. Along side tasty bangers, crispy ham, and delectable turkey with lush gravy. Afterwards we all had a vinaigrette salad with biscotti and fresh vanilla ice cream.
Another foreign exchange student, "You-me-co" was there and knew very little English. There must have been 14 of us at the table. With so many little dangling lights and lanterns over our heads and lots of melted candles sticks it really was that surreal magically movie moment… Or it was due to the sleep deprivation. Either way it was a wonderful dinner with such interesting people.
Homestay things: They don’t have a show, just a bath with fancy sprayer and their house is 4 stories tall, 3 tiny fridges, milk is delivered at the door, front door automatically locks when you leave so its important to always have the key!
By the time we get to bed we've been up for 32 hours straight… and tomorrow morning is going to feel like a half remembered dream.
Travel Buddies: Omg there is this guy in our group Sterling (from south Houston) and his reactions are priceless! We were in the student coach coming from the airport and have been driving for 10 minutes or so and taking in the scenery when he realizes, "Aahhhhh- Snap! We're in the wrong side of the road!" He didn't look up anything for the trip and so little about the customs- his childlike awe is going to be fun to have around. Ed ‘John Lennon’ is enjoyable to talk with. Although we all got lost around RUSSELL SQUARE, Ed can look at a map once and navigate through it without hesitation or stopping. He'll be our human compass.
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