Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Credit Card Bollocks

So, not many people can say, "Today, I walked around Stonehenge. Ya know, those rocks that mysteriously ended up in England from Wales about 5000 years ago?" I mean, the history here is really mind boggling. I took an amazing amount of pictures, but none could really do it justice.
Salisbury was a beautiful, quaint little town that I enjoyed for the most part. The Cathedral was amazing, and I saw the Magna Carta! I wonder how they wrote in such straight, pristine handwriting back then, and I was really disappointed I couldn't take pictures of the heads that stuck out along the walls in the area where they kept the Magna Carta.They all made different faces, some of which were absolutely hilarious. The picture below demonstrates... I think the guy on the right looks kind of like Voldemort...
While walking through the town, I even got a marraige proposal from a guy representing an organization called "Action for Children" which I was pretty flattered by :)
But, I'm not going to lie, the most memorable part of the day was my credit card troubles. I went into Boots when we had some free time in Salisbury because I needed a razor to replace the one I left at the first hotel I stayed at and neosporin for the scratches and blisters on my feet. Well, I thought 15 minutes would be plenty of time. I went up to the register to check out, gave them my credit card, and the lady said she had to do a security check on the card, and disappeared for 10 minutes! I told the other lady I was in a hurry and I could pay with cash or just not buy the products, I just needed to go; they took forever, and then told me I had to come and talk to my bank. I got really frustrated, and though I should've just gone back then, I said, "Look, I'm going to miss my bus, I don't need these things, I just want my card back. I don't give a shit, just please give me my card back!" (Not shouting, mind you, just worried, a bit smart ass, I admit). Well apparently, they went back and told my bank that I was cursing and refused to prove my identity! Despite the fact that I had shown them my ID and everything in my wallet that had my name on it! The lady told me they could not give me my card back unless I talked to the bank, so I followed her to the back room and had to wait to be connected. When the man answered, he asked who I was, and I told him, in tears, and said I was going to miss my bus and get in trouble or worse, left behind, and that I had to leave immediately. They even had my mother on the other line!! I was so upset, I just took my card when the lady gave it back to me, and I felt bad for giving her a hard time but incredibly frustrated with the bank (Why the hell would they check then? Why then?!!). I'm just waiting for the angry phone call from mummy dearest. I ran all the way back to the bus, which did not agree with my stomach or feet, but I made it just fine, and everyone was very concerned as to why I was so upset... Well, it was very frustrating, to say the least.
I'm beginning to feel a little overwhelmed... I've forgotten a lot of things at home, and they're a bit expensive here. I wish a brought my pumas, I should've gotten more than one adapter to charge all my electronics, I left my razor at the hotel, I forgot any first aid supplies, nail clippers, nail polish remover, laundry detergent, dryer sheets... And the food here is so expensive! I'm going to lose weight here for sure, not just because of all the walking, but because I can't afford to overeat!
But really, I'm trying to learn from all this, to embrace the experience. I like to imagine I'm a vagabond of sorts, toughing it out on as little as possible (which is quite humorous since I'm a very lucky, intelligent, healthy young girl with everything in the world to be thankful for). But it certainly makes it more fun ;)

Day One is Done, and I feel so wicked ;)

So, first day of classes went pretty well, though I am tired, got separated from everybody on the tube and freaked, and my camera's battery died before we even had the tour of Westminster Abbey. So basically it was a tad chaotic and disappointing, but I really just refused to let that ruin my day. Everything is so amazing- the people, the architecture, the sightseeing, and not to mention the fabulous showing of Wicked to end the day.
There were so many parts of the day where I just felt so... I don't even know how to describe it... In another world. I mean, at Westminster Abbey I walked over the body of Charles Darwin, passed Isaac Newton, saw the pew where Winston Churchill sat as the Queen was crowned, saw where Princess Diana's funeral was held, saw stones above the remains of Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, George Frederic Handel, Queen Elizabeth the 1st and Queen Mary (who are surprisingly resting in peace, side by side)... it was just so amazing to be standing in a place with such history, a place that had been there for so many centuries, to feel a connection that far into the past. I mean, I saw the coronation chair, which was built in the 1300s, and it was just sitting up on top of pedestal. Hugh, our lovely guide (with devastatingly beautiful brown eyes), told us the story of two boys, nephews of Richard the 3rd that were killed so as to allow him the throne. Their remains were found when they built a new staircase and they're kept in the same room as Queen Elizabeth and Mary and called "The Innocents." They were twelve and fourteen years old, and for some reason, that story really stuck with me.
These blokes are above the entrance, and they are all saints, since Westminster Abbey is still an active church, which I'm considering attending just to hear the choir :)

The view from the London Eye was awesome as well, and the pod in front of us on the wheel was full of kids on a field trip. While in line, I heard them playing a game that sounded kind of like duck duck goose, in which one boy would hold out his fist for the other kid to pound while saying "Respect!" The other kid would pound his fist, and the boy would move on to the next kid until he randomly decided to shout "Cabbage!" and grab the other kid's fist, pointed and laughed hysterically. All in their little uniforms and ties, I couldn't help but smile.
And honestly, I can't end this entry without saying something about how awesome Wicked was... It was my first time! I used to be a theatre kid, and it actually made me sad I ever gave it up. Just hearing the voices of Elphaba and Glinda gave me goosebumps, and I don't think I'll ever be able to see the Wizard of Oz the same way again.
Well, not gonna lie, I'm bollocksed as they say here in the UK, so I'm off to bed.

Delta Representatives Do Not Represent

Ello! Well, I'm getting started a bit late with this posting business, and I apologize for that, but I'm a busy lass. Its nearing the end of Day 5 in London, and I've fallen completely for the city. I've been to quite a few pubs, met quite a few people, and have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I left Daytona Beach, FL, on Tuesday, flew to Atlanta and had to sprint from concourse A to concourse E, which was oodles of fun thanks to the always helpful spirits of the folks at Delta who refused to wait for anyone, even if their previous flight was 30 minutes late due to flight maintenance issues. When I got off the plane, I went up to a lady with the Delta outfit on and asked it she could call ahead to tell them I was on my way. She looked at me with that bitchy look girls gave eachother in highschool and said she didn't have any way of doing that. I looked at her, smiled, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, my bad, I thought you looked like a Delta represented that was here to help me. My mistake." Turn and sprint!
I slept through the flight and woke up in London at around 7:30 the next morning. Getting through immigration took a while, but once I reached the train, a few guys from the States bought me a little bottle of champagne, which I proceeded to finish off as the clock struck 8:30 in the morning (you know its going to be a good day after that, no?). I manage to get from there to the hotel and walked around the city afterward. For dinner, I went to Yo! Sushi, which was alright, especially because I had a funny waiter that was at my beck and call. By the way, free wifi is non-existant here. Later that night, I was walking by a pub called Redan, and decided to pop in for a drink and the first pub experience since arriving in London. A nice older man started talking to me while I was thinking of what to get, and he insisted he buy me a drink as a local welcoming me to London. We sat with him and his friend and discussed the in's and out's of what to do and what not to do so as to not stand out as the American. I know my mother is going to read this and think I was crazy and foolish to take a strange man up on a drink in a strange place, but he spoke to me in a very fatherly tone and told me about his nephews that were a little younger than me, I watched the barman pour the drink and give it straight to me, and hell, it was free! And you know what? After that first day, I felt so capable, so independent. I'm really proud of myself, actually, I managed to stay safe, to have fun, and to feel confident in a strange place. I know, I shouldn't feel too comfortable too soon, and I still know that this city is not without its sketchy people and parts. I'm still quite pleased with myself :)
Its amazing how nice people are in London. I went to lunch after checking into the Study Centre and forgot my wallet in my room. I told the guy behind the counter and told him I could leave him my cell phone or something and he said, "It's called trust! Just come right back!" I, of course, ran back to my room and got money, and then went back and paid. I was just surprised by the act of kindness. I'm learning a lot about myself here. I'm a capable individual, moreso than I realized. I've never had great self confidence, but being here, having to mind myself in strange place, I feel like... I don't know, it just feels really good :)