Week 2: My Latest London Observations

Well I've officially been in London for 9 days now... so here are 5 things I have learned in my time here so far.

1. Public transportation is super easy to use. 
    Unlike America, public transportation in London is super easy to use and very common whether you have money or not. The tube stations are very well labeled, maps are super easy to follow, and the stations are really clean. The only time traveling on the tube is unpleasant is when everyone is commuting to work in the morning and home in the evening. It definitely reminds me of trying to smush onto the Milledge bus but instead of backpacks and iPhones everyone has briefcases and newspapers.

2. Everyone walks on the left but stands on the right. 
    So just how people drive on the left here, they also walk on the left. That has definitely been something that is hard to adjust to. I constantly find myself accidentally walking towards people on the street and stairs. And just to confuse us Americans even more, when on the escalator they stand on the right. I never really know which direction I'm supposed to be going.

3. Getting lost is my favorite thing. 
    Typically when I get lost I become very upset and frustrated, however, getting lost in London is one of the most fun parts. Getting off at a random stop on the tube and just wandering around sounds like a bad idea, but so far I have found the best restaurants and shopping just simply trying to find my way.

4. I'm taking the title "happiest place on Earth" away from Disney World and giving it to Harrods.
  Harrods is the most AMAZING department store I have ever been into in my entire life, and I've been in a lot of amazing stores. The only thing I could afford was a bottle of Chanel nail polish, but I had the best time looking at the most luxurious designer clothes, accessories, and shoes. They also have this huge food market with special "take away" (what they call take out) counters and then little restaurants scattered throughout where you can dine in. They also have a Godiva chocolate bar where we went to have chocolate fondue.... it was SO GOOD.

5. No more separate checks
    Separate checks in restaurants in London is a very foreign concept. Its always confusing when they bring a check for 8 people and we all have the pleasure of trying to figure out how to split it up the correct way and not have to wait around for change. We also all always try to get rid of our change, we don't think it pleases the servers to much.