Saturday, June 30, 2012

A day before the programme and already exploring English culture.

Hi everyone! Ok so firstly I used an old blog of mine so ignore some of the things like "Critique on society etc." Secondly, I'm not sure if the blog will be updated regularly but you can count on it being updated once every week.

Anyways, one day before the programme and so far my experience in Cambridge has been nothing short of amazing (maybe a little bit expensive but nonetheless amazing.)

Let's see here: Earlier this morning at 11:12AM I safely arrived at London Heathrow Airport and from there proceeded to deal with its customs. First few notes: For any UC student studying abroad, I might be wrong but all those things (bank notes one month before etc. ..) not necessarily needed HOWEVER you MUST have your acceptance letter! /landing card/ visa etc. (just carry it with you because i might have gotten lucky since for me they just looked at my acceptance letter, landing card, and visa before letting me in. Afterwards I went to the American Express exchange currency booth and proceeded to exchange 200 US dollars into pounds. In case you're wondering how much it costs well (1.75 US dollars to 1 pound). Surprisingly enough this was actually cheaper than the rate exchanged at LAX (1.78 US dollars to 1 pound). Even if its a few cents, it can make a difference so pay attention to the rates!

Afterwards, I proceeded to claim my baggage and find the find the terminals for the National Coach (bus) or London underground (subway). I personally got a little bit lost, but in the end I found the National Coach and proceeded to buy a ticket from Heathrow Airport to Cambridge. Holy cow, the tickets are expensive. I ended up paying 27.50 pounds (49 us dollars) for a one trip to cambridge....*Tip: Either book MONTHS in advance or  go find the London Underground instead and take the tube (subway) from Kings Cross station to Cambridge. I kid you not it is MUCH cheaper (estimation 21.45 sterling pounds) + it makes you will feel like you enter hogwarts when you stop by platform 9 3/4!

Directions: If you need help it doesn't matter if you're American, ASK for directions.....the British from what I've seen so far are incredibly friendly and polite as long as you are the same.

Waiting for the National Coach 797.

Anyways moving on, after about another 2 hours and 35 minutes I safely arrived at Cambridge and although Cambridge was incredibly windy, lets just say I was speechless. No matter where you look, from the cobble stone sidewalks to the century old chapels,  Cambridge looks stunning. Personally it felt like I stepped into the modern version of Hogsmeade Village with its many little shops on Regent Street.


Once i arrived at Cambridge I proceeded to find the Best Western Gonville Hotel and checked in. By then it was already 5:00 PM, and then I realized I brought the wrong adapter (European) not the 3 prong UK adapter, so I headed off to find stores with pay as you go sim cards and adapters (used to convert US electron charging . Oddly enough finding these things didn't take a long time and after I proceeded to buy a 15 pound card and a travel universal adapter.  Tip: if you're planning to travel to England AND Europe GET a travel universal adapter since the plug outlets aren't the same.


Once finished, it was 6:00PM so I proceeded to go find food less than 10 sterling pounds. Although ideally,  I did want to try the stereotypical "Fish and Chips" as my first meal, however, since Britain's national food is curry, so the moment I saw "Curry Garden" I said, "Ok I'm off to go eat some Indian Curry!" For that meal, I ordered a nonspicy Chicken Dopiaza and Basmati rice for 7.10 sterling pounds. For those who don't know Dopiaza is a type of mild curry cooked with diced onion, green pepper, and corriander. The Dopiaza was incredible in the sense that the curry wasn't overpowering nor spicy, the onions added a layer of sweetness, and the basmati rice and chicken made the overall dish filling. Because I don't eat a lot, the curry is enough for 2 meals, so personally paying 7.10 sterling pounds for a curry that lasts 2 meals... I have to admit it was one of the best deals I've so far.



So after dinner, I proceeded to stroll around Cambridge till 9PM and then retired off to my room.
 
(Don't let this picture fool you but Cambridge night skies at 9PM are as bright as the Southern Californian night skies at 6PM)
Anyways until next time, ciao!

-Tina