Bath: Day 2

Some of you may be wondering, "Where did Day 1 go to?" Well, there is no Day 1. Silly me did not start the blog in time and due to a lack of time I decided to skip that and enter in today's festivities.

Despite being somewhat jet-lagged, the ASE staff decided that the best way to motivate us for classes was by having us go through informational sessions from 8:45 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. But it wasn't all bad! Yes, I got a little stiff sitting in a lecture about safety and emergency information, but hey...we got "biscuits" (cookies for us Americans) and the option of coffee, water, or tea (with milk?) After that snooze fest we heard about all the fun social activities we will be doing and what to expect from classes, etc. For instance, we will be traveling to Cornwall this weekend where we get to check out the alleged birthplace of King Arthur (or, Gary Gregga), see some galleries and museums, swim in the Atlantic (yeah, I'd prefer not to suffer from hypothermia...I'll pass), and have a genuine pasty meal at a pub and watch the Cup game with a bunch of drunk Englishman. So, should be good times!

We were allocated a small lunch break today (how sweet of them after waking me up at 8 a.m.) where a bunch of us went to this small sandwich shop in the town square where I got this great sandwich and we could hardly understand the waiter. The square is super stereotypical European. So cool. There were street performers everywhere, people lunching and hanging out, kids running about and just a really neat place to experience culture and feel like you're in a community. Plus, it's right in front of the Bath Abbey which is GORGEOUS.

After all the meetings were said and done some of my friends and I set off to do some essentials shopping: got a phone! And 13 of us ventured off later on for some dinner. Most everything closes super early on Sundays here. Shops lock up by 4:30 as well as eating places so it required a TAD bit of walking up and down hills (I swear, I thought Denison was on a hill...ha!) until we eventually settled on a tapas restaurant. I know, I know...tapas in England? However, it was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! But my hands still have a hint of my langostino that I named Bob. We also found this super adorable gelatto place that I am probably going to try tomorrow after my Jane Austen class and this awesome local pub (1 of about 100...) where a lot of young people hang out. There's just too much to see and do here so balancing the work with all this will be difficult.

In case you were wondering...here's the short version of what happened yesterday:
Plane right to London was pretty okay, minus the stinky Serbian girl's feet next to me, then navigated the airport and hauled lots of luggage about 200 miles til I could no longer feel my arms, had a little mishap with the coach station but it was sorted out. Made my way to Bristol (about 2 hrs.) then to Bath (45 mins.) whereupon I met everyone I was living with. We all explored the city and the surrounding area: went to the Royal Crescent, the Royal Gardens, Victoria Park, saw circus people (?), and a good portion of the city. Apparently, where I am living is in the "posh" part of town. Very cool. Oh, and I am still learning how to respond to people when they tell me "Cheers" instead of "Thanks". Also, was asked if I was American and why we were here more times than I can count. Of course I'm American...no, I'm English and just never acquired the accent...silly people.

On the whole, everyone is super friendly, the city is spectacular and there's far too much to do, and the lifestyle is definitely agreeable. But I don't think I'll be venturing into the baths....