Friday, June 26, 2009

Day 3 - Getting Oriented

The past couple of days have been busy with get-togethers for both business and pleasure.

I attended an orientation breakfast, a meeting about staying safe while in London, and took a practical walking tour around our immediate neighborhood which is, basically, the heart of the city.

I also have spent the past two days getting to know my "flat" mates and the other students in the class. Of course, pictures were involved! I have met some wonderful people and learned some new things, such as...

the FSU Study Center is in the heart of London.
the staff are wonderful.
don't go with the cabs that tout.
you need to top up.
mind the gap.
mind your head.
get your money from the cash point.
it isn't "take out", it's "take away".
give way.
look right.
stay left.
some of my classmates are on the fourth floor with no lift to get them there.
common law says it is OK to hit someone with a preimptive strike.
the ground floor is our first floor.
the first floor is our second floor.
you take an accident victim to the A&E (accident and emergency).
the A&E is also known as the "casualty".
pepper spray is illegal.
constables and bobbies don't carry guns....neither does Carolyn.
take time out to read Time Out.
queue up.
mass transit is cool.
trees look like horizontal green stripes when taking picures from the train.
the people in London are so courteous, quiet and helpful.
people who talk on cell phones while on the train are slightly annoying.
people travel around town on an Oyster.
we cook on the hob.
at least one Kentuckian prefers FSU (take that University of Kentucky!)
in Sri Lanka they have 52 vacation days per year.
Jeannie and Laura appreciate their hubbands' encouragement.
a line-up is called an identification parade....also, that I don't want to be in one.
Marmite tastes horrible.
the Urban Dictionary defines OAP as Old Age Pensioner.
Kat has a secret hiding place.
Jeannie "Skypes" with her husband every night.
be very clear when ordering tapas from a waitress who does not speak English.
if you do, you might end up with sardines!
which cheek not to slap if there is a bug on it.
that little black thing on the faucet keeps you from having to take a cold shower.
always carry a fire extinguisher on the train from Germany.
London is the safest big city in the world.
Connie's alter ego is named Angie.
Angie got locked between the buildings after she set off the security alarm.
apartments aren't for rent, they're to let.
William Shakespeare is not at home.
people in London LOVE Michael Jackson.
embrace the differences.
Dr. E. has a good sense of humor.
I have the best flatmates in the world!

AND....I get REALLY excited about some of my photos!















2 comments:

  1. Looks like you're having fun! Glad to see you've picked up the lingo so quickly! You are such an observant tourist! My guess on the pink dog flag is perhaps he ate too many beans! LOL! That is hilarious. My daughters & I also like the tiger smart car. Look forward to more pix!

    Connie

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  2. Funny story...our dear friend with the same name as you, Connie, also posted a similar picture on her Flickr account and a connoisseur of cars informed her that "it is NOT a Smart car, but a REVA...G-Wiz"! LOL! Well, they do kinda look alike...G-Wiz! LOL!

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