[October 15] London: Thoughts & Musing Thus Far

I realize that so far, my posts have been very to the point: I did this, I did that, and here are a few vague thoughts to sum it all up. 

Although I don't expect you to, you may recall my very first on this blog: I listed my worries. I was worried about making friends. I was worried about dealing with my anxiety and panic attacks and dizziness. I was worried about cultural differences and accidentally offending someone. I was worried about what to pack. And I was worried about screwing up transportation as I'm not used to public transportation since, being an oil-reliant American, I drive everywhere. 

Well! I've been proven that my worries, although perhaps legitimate, have been unnecessary. I've made some really great friends and have met so many lovely people to be around, talk to about things great and small, hang out with, people with similar interests... I've been so pleasantly surprised!!! As for some of the young men I've met... well there's always your fair share of jerks and disappointments but I've been lucky and met some really nice ones...

I haven't had issues with anxiety or panic attacks which is such a relief considering I'm in one of the largest cities in the world and crowds are common and I've been packed on the tube like a sardine. I've had some dizziness issues but nothing that's kept me in bed or prevented me from doing the things that I've wanted to. What a relief! I never thought it would be like this, I never thought I could be so happy and fairly dizzy-free!

As for what I packed, I keep thinking "Oh I wish I had this from home, I wish I could wear this today..." but realistically I just couldn't have managed bringing any more with me and I've bought what I needed which was expensive and really added up in the beginning but that's part of what I've been saving up for anyway. 

Then there's public transportation... in Denmark I was a bit flustered about the train and whatnot, but everything worked out okay. As for London, the tube is incredibly easy to use which I never quite believed when people assured me this was so beforehand. I haven't mastered the buses yet although they're easy enough or really tackled the trains but it's been okay! And I always know that if I get truly lost or scared I can always take a cab, which I haven't had to do yet. I've been walking a lot; there's no way around it and so if you ever plan on visiting London I highly recommend bringing a good pair of walking shoes and being in decent shape.

Whew!

In case it hasn't been clear, I am in love with London. It already feels like home and I feel well-adjusted to life here and have for a few weeks now. I've lived here now for about 40 days. I can see the River Thames from my dorm window and the London Eye, Tower, etc. from my kitchen window. Fantastic. Every day I think, "Now Alyssa, don't you dare take this for granted." Every day walking down the street I find it hard to believe I'm in London, London, London, capital of the English-speaking world, capital of literature and culture and music... well I haven't forsaken my American pride and I could argue the same capital this and capital this about America but I'm here and I feel happy and appreciative of all the city has to offer.

Sometimes I wish I could teleport home for a quiet evening with my family to have a sit-down dinner with all of them then talk to my parents about everything and bother my brother and joke with my grandparents and cuddle with my puppy dog but for the most part I haven't been homesick despite not being able to hear the voices of my family often enough because of stinkin' inconvenient time differences. 

I fear my time here will fly by but I look forward to every minute of it. Tomorrow I leave for Belgium for a quick weekend in Ieper!