Three crucial developments that have helped to enhance the fabulousness that will be traveling abroad

Well, it’s been a while… though I’m not sure if anyone really reads this yet. =) I promise, theses tales of pre-travel preparations will not bare in comparison to my times that will start as soon as Virgin Atlantic Flight V-Something takes off at 9:30 PM on September 14th. Well, maybe a few hours after, since, if all goes according to plan, I’ll sleep my way across the Atlantic and force myself smack into the land of London time! With the time difference added to the flight time, my first hour as an official England resident will commence at 9:30 on September 15th. (That’s 9:30 AM to you Americans. 9:30 PM is actually 21:30 in European time, which I’m starting to adopt. Just kidding.) The early arrival gives Kathleen and me three days to explore all that London has to offer before our program officially kicks off with a London orientation on September 18th. An itinerary will have to be made soon!

As my internship winds down, my time abroad is zooming (pun intended) closer by the second. Fabulous occurrences in the past couple of days include the solidification of the fabulous Heather’s trip to London from Sevilla in the south of Spain, the semi-solidification of my own travel plans for my time abroad, and – probably most importantly – the announcement of my English residence! First and foremost, I’ll still be celebrating Columbus Day, even though it won’t even spark the English’s radar. That wonderful weekend will be Heather’s ho-down in the land of tea and crumpets. We plan to spend some time in London, and then see some other sites in another English city, such as Oxford! I’m sure it will be one of my favorite weekends of studying abroad!

Moving on: As for my own travels, I have a “mandatory” list of cities to hit. Galway and Cork are a must, for the heritage, of course. I’d love to visit the Aran Islands, as well. You should all beware of the day I kiss the Blarney Stone. I’m a little scared, too. Sevilla is a must as well. By visiting in late November, I’ll hit the city as the temperature just dips below the 70s, which will be a very welcome change from the cloudy Canterburian skies. (I’m not sure if that’s a word, but as far as I’m concerned, it works well and will be henceforth utilized.) I’ll also be a criminal to culture if I study in England without ever hopping across the Channel to Paris. Last by not least, Italy is a big “must see.” I hope to spend a loooong time there and see at least Rome, Florence, and Venice. My stomach is already churning!

Other places I’d loooove to see include Brussels (it’s just a hop, skip, and a Chunnel ride away) and Switzerland, but we shall see if time and money allow those trips to occur. Every college student adds Amsterdam to their list, though I can’t say it’s a top priority of mine… for this trip at least. Maybe if my new plan of backpacking through Europe post-Graduation pulls through!

Moving on, again: For the duration of my time abroad, I’ll be a resident of the Parkwood Houses on the University of Kent campus. 10/F Ellenden Court, Parkwood, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7SH is my new home… whatever all those letters mean! I’ll post some before and after pictures to show the Americanization of that lovely little room!

Until next time… I still need luggage, a credit card, a winning lottery ticket... =P