Cheerio!

Oh my mercy sake's alive...I have never been more exhausted or physically tired in my life. I have been awake for 30+, traveled 4,700+ miles by air, walked 4+ miles, hauled over one hundred pounds of luggage for more than I would have liked (and up a flight of stairs to my accommodation), and have officially made Chester England my home!

PRAISE THE LORD.

When sitting at the ICT airport with my parents, my dad asked me what I was thinking about and I couldn't say anything. My brain hadn't fully understood what was about to take place, nor was I mentally there. The whole plane ride, all 7 and a half hours of it, I kept thinking about everything I have had to do to make this trip possible. Things like move out of the house I lived in and adored oh so dearly, move into the house of one of my favorite families for 5 weeks (which was AMAZING), not have a job for the first time in 5 years, and buy so many little things here and there. The thing I had been making so many changes and accommodations for was actually happening, and I had no thoughts.

Fast forward to 7:20 am Manchester. We made it! And with some pretty flawless customs and baggage actions. Sure, there were some bumps along the way on the side of the University, but things have all worked out. Our "coach" driver was hysterical. Paul, was telling us about his family and his 13 year old daughter who is obsessed with One Direction. Our ride from the airport was filled with sleepy-sillies laughing and anecdotes from Paul.

We are moved into temporary housing until Saturday, and the cottage-like dorms are adorable. (All the international students have temp housing.) Our international welfare woman, Sam, said "pray to whoever you want that I don't have to back this van around" when driving 11 of the many international students to our rooms. She is a hoot, and my lack of sleep and love of British speech had me giggling like a mad woman. Our global guides took us to the grocery store to get all the things we couldn't pack. I was being "that girl" taking pictures of all the neat things, like the shape of their 2 liters!

The small "trolley" that 15 students kept piling goods into. 

The girls who guided us, Emily and Cara, were so sweet and patient with all the questions like "Is this a good price?" or "Where is body wash?" And I still can't get over the wonderfulness of the accents of the people around me. I am trying so hard not to repeat what they say in my British accent. Its hard. I just love it.

When we got back to campus, some of us girls donned out jackets, (IT WAS 45 DEGREES TODAY...I froze), and decided to head into the City Center.

We all had similar trench coats, so we had to model the options in case you decide to go European.

 Walking into the City was when this whole thing became real. Chester is beautiful, and I am thrilled the journey has begun. I am living in England...WHAT!?!

This is part of the City Center, which is so magical, I can't even tell you.

The other students we met today are so fun and I am really excited to get to know them more. Students from all over the US, Finland, Germany, India, Serbia, Spain...and many more I can't remember as I met a bunch of people today. Sam, our "mum" while we are over here, told me there are 1,000 international students, which completely blew my mind.

This is part of the wall that goes around the whole city. So incredible, and walking around the wall is on my to-do list.

I mean,  even the roads are way cooler here in Chester. 

It is just before 8 pm, and I have managed to keep myself awake just so I can rest well tonight. So, that is all for today. It has been quite the journey, and this girl is ready to conch out. I will post more pictures and details tomorrow!

Leave me comments!
xoxo Catherine