I have arrived!

I arrived in Belfast yesterday with little food in my stomach, 1-2 hours of sleep, and the excitement was way off the charts to count!  



So the journey thus far...

Mom and I headed out on a re-memorable road trip to the airport. Let's just leave it at that.  We arrive at the airport and said our goodbyes. 

The plane ride was good.  I sat next to a lady who was traveling home to visit family who now lives in the USA.  Needless to say, she reminded me a lot of myself so it was great talking to her.  I kind of feel asleep in between our talks, but it was nice talking to her.  I listed to Hozier, and I tell you, his voice is amazing and so soothing.  And come to find out, Irish!  Then I arrived in Manchester, which if you ever have the choice between Manchester airport and London airport, I highly recommend Manchester.  Much more organized and easy to navigate.  The only downfall is there were no restaurants.  So, I got the only food I knew the ingredients of...a Bounty candy bar (for a pound) and vending machine coffee (for a pound). 


About $4 for lunch compared to the $17 for dinner (water, a KIND bar, and cashews) at the JFK airport.  Nuts!  And yes, it was amazing coffee!  Actually better than the 80p coffee I use to get in Dundee from the machine.  I then took a taxi to the campus.  The bus driver was super nice and showed me the areas around town, and even told me what buses to take!  :)  I was a happy person!

I arrived on campus around 3.  A RA from Greece showed me the way to my flat and helped me with my bags.  So I dropped everything, grabbed my shopping bags and maps and headed out on a 3 mile walk.  I do not do buses.  And everyone I have met seems quite surprised I walked 3 miles...I am a little confused.  It was not a bad walk at all.  One little spot didn't have a sidewalk so that was a little tough.  But I went with the intention of going to the mall, and to my surprise, I found Tesco and B&M.  So I was even more over joyed!  I got some food and some living supplies and the nice lady at Tesco phoned a taxi for me.  This taxi driver was just as nice and carried my bags to my door.  I then proceeded to cook dinner.  I had ground turkey, veggie root mash with garlic and onions.  Must say I was quite happy my mash was on sale!  :P  It was wonderful.  I think I am one of the only people who loves and prefers UK food to USA food.  For breakfast, I had some Udi's bagels (Super cheap here) and lunch consisted of tuna, pickles, onions, and mustard.  I haven't had tuna in years and it was so good.  The Tesco here also has a whole pickle section!  (I could never find them in Dundee)   For dinner, I am debating on leftovers, pizza, or fish and I know whatever I decide it will be amazing!  I just ate some watermelon and oh my was it good!  I had to give my favorite fruit up when I moved back home, and I got to eat this wonderful delicious fruit today with no issues.    

I had registration today and that was a little overwhelming as the campus is not what I expected.  It is one large building...one hallway with multiple hallways feeding off of the main hallway called the mall.  Its a nice building and again, the people are super nice.  

I only got a few pictures because the camera died yesterday and today its been raining.  So I promise more will come (Esp. when I get a phone and won't look so touristy)  

I signed up to go on a trip to Belfast with the international student group tomorrow, so that will be good as I won't have to figure out the bus alone!  So that is good, as all my favorite stores from Dundee, minus Savers! is located in the city!  

My room is tiny.  I'm talking 2 steps from the bed and there is the bathroom.  From the bathroom to the radiator is 11 ''feet'' (And by that I mean walking toe to heal).  (Pictures to come soon...as soon as I stop living out of a suitcase...i.e. have hangers to hang clothes!)  But I do have an amazing view.  I look at a brick wall, a heart shaped bush and a tree...No people!  I also saw a fox last night run in front of the window!  I hope to get a picture. 

Well friends, that is about all I have for now.  It is almost dinner time and I need to figure out what to eat and where to put some stuff.  Well, my computer keeps crashing every time I try to add a photo....So, photos will have to come later.