528 steps

Even though I've only been here for a couple days, I feel like I've been here for forever. We've gone everywhere...Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Museum of London, London Tower, Tower Bridge, London Eye, and St. Paul's Cathedral. And I don't think I've walked this much in my entire life.
I've decided I officially hate birds...especially pigeons! There were literally a hundred of them on the steps of St. Paul's and they would fly up in your face and bleh! It just wasn't fun! But the cathedral on the other hand...was gorgeous! I have never seen something so big and beautiful! We climbed up the 528...yes that's right, 528...steps to the top of the dome and saw a huge panoramic view of the city. Everything looked so tiny from up there. I swear the people were like little black ants. About half way up the dome they have the "whisper gallery" where you can apparently whisper against the wall and someone on the other side can hear you. It has something to do with the acoustics of the dome, but let me tell you...it doesn't work! We tried and tried and tried. You should have seen us. At first we were whispering, but after many unsuccessful attempts, we began to get pretty loud, which didn't go over very well with the staff!

Finally, tonight we ended the day with our first show in London! Twelve of us went to see Les Miserables. It was so so good! I loved it! Afterwards we got waffles, which by the way are my new favorite dessert! I'm seriously lovin' London more and more!!

First Impressions

Well I'm here in the most beautiful city I have ever seen!! You should have heard all of us in the shuttle on the way to the BYU London Centre. "Whoa...look at the rooftops! They have chimney's just like Marry Poppins!" And "Look how cute the cars are...Awww! They drive on the opposite side of the road!" I'm pretty sure if anyone from Britain was listening to our conversation, they would make fun of us Americans!!

The Center is very quaint! I like it a lot! Accept for the fact that I have to climb 7 flights of stairs just to get to my room, which by the way, I share with 11 other girls! Its like a party/sleepover every night, as you can imagine!

So far, this is what I've learned about the people and culture...
1. They love to make understatements...it is the definition of their sense of humor.
2. It doesn't matter that they are getting paid, employees will help you on their own time, whenever they aren't busy, and when they decide they want to.
3. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is very fashionable.
4. They will laugh at you when you and 15 of your friends realize you are on the wrong underground and all jump off just as the doors are closing.
5. "Mind the gap!" is their favorite saying.
6. When meeting someone new, you do not begin the conversation with "What is your name?" This is the last thing you ask. Instead, begin with a known statement, such as "Oh the weather is quite chilly today," and then go from there.

Those are just a few, but I'm sure there is still a ton I will soon learn...