First Day in London

So after a ridiculously long flight I got to London at about 7 am...London time. Which as most people know would be the middle of the night where I usually am. Needless to say I am seriously jet lagged. BUT so far it has been incredible. When the sun came up when I was in the plane this morning the sky was beautiful, and soon thereafter we reached the shore of Ireland. Even from up in the air I could make out the famous Irish cliffs. The British country side was amazing as well. On the down side when both of my planes began to land, the one in Dallas and London, I developed a splitting headache. It was quite miserable and I've never felt pain like that in my head before and I did not particularly enjoy it.

The customs line at the airport was very interesting. There were people from everywhere. India, France, Asia, the United States etc. For the first time in my life I actually saw a woman wearing a full burka. I know many people say this is violating rights and oppressive and whatnot, but after my world religions class last semester I learned for the most part that is not so.

Despite the fact I was absolutely exhausted I have refused to sleep because I want to get on a normal schedule as soon as I can. I went walking around London and so far have been to Kensington Gardens and taken the first London walk. I saw George Orwell's house, J.M. Barrie's house, the Peter Pan statue, the road where Portobello Market is, and a whole bunch of other things. I have always wanted to see the Peter Pan statue. Hook was one of my favorite movies when I was little, and there is a scene where Robin Williams aka Peter Pan is by that statue. If I remember correctly Smee is also by that statue when he is a janitor at the end.

And just a sidenote--the very best part of my day had nothing to do with being in London. My watch band (my brand new Nixon watch band) got caught on my backpack in the Salt Lake airport and the pin fell out. I was pretty much devastated. I went into a mall today and came across a watch shop. I asked the man working there if he could possibly fix it. Not only did he fix it but it only took him about 30 seconds and he didn't charge!! I was very happy. The program starts for real tomorrow, and to be honest the thing I'm looking forward to the most right now is dinner tonight. I am very hungry!