First Day of London!

I finally accomplish something off my bucket list that is to travel international. I had the opportunity with my graduate program through Arizona State University. When I made the decision to go to Grad school I wanted to have every possible experience that I did not have while doing my undergrad. So the purpose of this trip study how England do their higher Education programs.


I decided to arrive two days early before the actual study abroad program begins. I must say that I am glad that I chose to do this. The first journey of the trip began Monday, May 7, at 4:30 am drive to the Airport. I was so nervous that I was up 3:30 am making sure I had everything packed. I had two layover one in Chicago and one in Toronto Canada. I am not sure which airport i loathe the most. When I landed into Chicago  my phone would not update to tell me which gate I was supposed to go to. I ask for help the first time and they told me this gate. I grab lunch and waited until it was time to board that gate. When I scan my ticket it denied me. I was at the wrong gate. I then went and talked to the same person and he said "my bad this is not the right gate" proceeded to look up the right gate and tells me were to go. i had less than 10 minutes to make there. I ran so fast!. I barely made it in time. Then I arrived in Toronto. That Airport has very little signs to point the right directions. I was annoyed. I finally boarded my plane to London! This would be a six hour flight. They served dinner to us on the plane. It was not a good meal. Finally at 6:30 am the plane landed at the Heathrow Airport!

Getting ready to fly!!

First Stamp in Passport!

The view from my Room!

This was the part I nervous about. Being hard of hearing and trying to understand the British accent is is hard and is bound to be some sort of communication breakdown. I arrive at custom, the guy starts speaking and I am just lost. So I proceeded to hand him my passport along with a letter from the study abroad program. He said all is good and I have my first stamp in my passport! I go get my luggage and then had to figure out how to get to the Green Gate hotel. I decided just to take the taxi because my brain was already dead from such a long flight that I didn't want to think about which Tube station I needed to get to. I have a nice quite little room, with a Patio the opens to chairs and tables. Gorgeous view TOO! After resting for a couple of hours I decided to go do a little exploring. Yes I brought my camera.


Today I thought it would be good to start off easy. I went to Kensington Gardens. It was a beautiful walk. Just green grass everywhere. There were a lot of swans, which are beautiful birds. Today was the perfect day just to sit in the grass and enjoy life kind of day. I got to see the princess Diana memorial Fountain, Prince Albert memorial (married to Queen Victoria), and saw a little of Kensington Palace from a distance. In a little area of the park there was a small gathering of individuals holding their hands out with sunflower seeds or piece of fruit. There were these small parrots. Somebody was kind enough to give me a handful of sunflower seeds I was able to hold my hand out. I had two parrots land on me just enjoying the seeds. When they left up flew two pigeons. The song came to my head "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins. I began to walk back toward my hotel. I just fell in love with London and the cute little apartment type complex.

Selfie because I can!

Feeding the parrot!

Again feeding the parrot!

Gorgeous  Swan

Some Duke house that was in the Gardens

Prince Albert Memoral

Ice bream who wants ice cream???

Kensington Palace from a distance

Just sitting and relaxing!

Princess Diana Fountain

Normally I take the time to fix these up, however I do not have my other laptop with me with all of my programs. But I will have fun when I get home!!!

Tomorrow will be another fun fill adventures of London. Look for my post tomorrow for my second day in London!