Well, I made it! It wasn't easy. As you all know I was suppose to leave Friday out of Detroit. Apparently the universe did not want me to leave just yet. A bridge outside of Detroit collapsed, someone set a Chicago air control tower on fire, and Don Mclean's "American Pie" kept playing on the radio. My Dad and I began the drive up to Detroit after several emotional goodbyes. It was around Bowling Green when I checked my flight to find out that it was canceled. I quickly checked the flight from Chicago to Manchester and that flight was still on. I called both British Airways (whom I booked the ticket through) and American Airlines (whom was operating the flight). BA said that the flight from Detroit to Chicago was canceled, AA said that the same flight was still on.... Yeah I was very confused and stressed. We were faced with a tough decision, either drive all the way to Chicago and catch the flight there or go to Detroit. We decided go to Detroit and pray that American Airlines was right. They were right...up until I had gone through security and sent my bags off to luggage. Upon meeting the airline worker at the gate the flight was announced as canceled. For the rest of this blog this airline worker will be referenced as Dolores Umbridge. I approached Dolores and was kind, telling her that I'm willing to drive to Indiana, Chicago, Columbus and Cleveland. Without eye contact, Dolores said it didn't work that way continued clacking at her computer. After several brutal minutes of Umbridge being rude to other patrons, Dolores gave me a flight that was nigh impossible, she sent me to Newark with a 45 minute layover in which I would have to transfer myself to JFK. Not going to work, I told her. Umbridge raised her penciled-in eyebrows, and said " well that's all I can do." I rebutted "there has to be other options." She said no. So after more "kind" remarks from Dolores, including her telling me my baggage was unobtainable despite the fact that my plane was canceled, I left Dolores with some nice words myself. I met up with my father, after successfully getting bags, who graciously waited until I figured out a plan. I contacted American Airlines, quite upset about the whole ordeal, and they gave me a new manageable flight for Saturday...in Cleveland. Yep, we drove up to Detroit only to fly out of Cleveland the next day.
With that hunk of mess over, I left Cleveland on Saturday with beautiful weather and my adventure right in front of me. I have never been on a plane before so this was very exciting for me. I can say that I enjoyed flying and spent the whole 55 minute flight to Philadelphia looking out the window. My seatmate was a little tipsy and would groan/moan every time he got screwed by a computer in his phone app of UNO!, but it was a great and thrilling flight. Once in Philadelphia I hauled myself from two terminals and across 26 gates to my gate to Manchester. The flight to Manchester was pleasant except that I was in the aisle and the gentlemen next to me hogged the armrest ( Have you ever tried sleeping on a plane?!?!?!?!?) There was one moment of panic when, after lights went off for night travel, the lights went up and an alarm went off. The announcement was for anyone with medical experience to report to business class immediately. After a couple minutes of panic, we were assured that it was just one guy who had a little too much complimentary red wine. I was able to select from a plethora of new releases to watch on my personal tv screen. I chose Captain America 2 so that I could see my sister play an agent of shield (bonus points if you can find her!). We touched down in Manchester 9 AM UK time, 4 AM Cleveland time, and I was escorted to my taxi service.
The taxi service was very nice and I'm glad they provided it or I would have been lost. It was a little awkward for I was not the only student in the car. There was another student named Anoosh from Chicago. I attempted to break the awkward silence in the car, it was a 40 minute drive, by asking Anoosh questions. He was not having it with the most I got out of him being "I like the Chicago Bulls." So I gave up and chose to watch the English Countryside unfold. I was dropped off at my dorm where, already, all the security guards and workers were calling me Zach (or Jach with their accents). I corrected them twice to no avail. Then, I came into my flat and opened up my room. For a single, I think it's a good size. I have a desk and a cabinet for my clothes. I have my own bathroom and shower. The view isn't so nice (parking lot). I'll post some pictures once I get some decorations.
Well after I dropped my stuff I looked up the closest superstore to buy some food and supplies. On my way to the superstore, I was almost killed twice by cars because they were driving on the other side of the road unlike us Americans. The Superstore, ASDA, is a hybrid Marcs and Walmart. It's nice than a Marcs and has more stuff other than groceries, but it isn't as fancy, you read that right, as Walmart. One thing is for sure, Mary Schmotzer you were right, it's expensive. Because I only had myself to do the shopping I ended up hiking two trips to the store. Everyone that worked there was nice. They made fun of me when I said dish soap instead of cleansing liquid, and chicken breasts instead of chick filets. I'm hoping the food I bought will last me two weeks. If not, I may need to set up a canned food drive back in Cleveland.
After settling into my room, I noticed that one of my flatmates was here. I couldn't tell the whole time I've been here if they were here or not. Finally, they opened up their door and came out into our kitchen and I was taken aback. It was a girl! Apparently it's common for girls and boys to share flats here in England. In fact the flat across from me has 3 girls and 2 boys. Culture Shock #1. Culture Shock #2: Everyone and I mean EVERYONE smokes. All the students do it, everyone I've seen in the public has had a cig in their mouth. Everyone in the dorm just goes down to the lot outside of my window and smokes together. No wonder Liverpool has such a fog...
For the three trivia posters from my last blog, the answer was Martha, My Dear! Yep, Martha was Paul's Sheepdog. This blog's trivia is:
With that hunk of mess over, I left Cleveland on Saturday with beautiful weather and my adventure right in front of me. I have never been on a plane before so this was very exciting for me. I can say that I enjoyed flying and spent the whole 55 minute flight to Philadelphia looking out the window. My seatmate was a little tipsy and would groan/moan every time he got screwed by a computer in his phone app of UNO!, but it was a great and thrilling flight. Once in Philadelphia I hauled myself from two terminals and across 26 gates to my gate to Manchester. The flight to Manchester was pleasant except that I was in the aisle and the gentlemen next to me hogged the armrest ( Have you ever tried sleeping on a plane?!?!?!?!?) There was one moment of panic when, after lights went off for night travel, the lights went up and an alarm went off. The announcement was for anyone with medical experience to report to business class immediately. After a couple minutes of panic, we were assured that it was just one guy who had a little too much complimentary red wine. I was able to select from a plethora of new releases to watch on my personal tv screen. I chose Captain America 2 so that I could see my sister play an agent of shield (bonus points if you can find her!). We touched down in Manchester 9 AM UK time, 4 AM Cleveland time, and I was escorted to my taxi service.
The taxi service was very nice and I'm glad they provided it or I would have been lost. It was a little awkward for I was not the only student in the car. There was another student named Anoosh from Chicago. I attempted to break the awkward silence in the car, it was a 40 minute drive, by asking Anoosh questions. He was not having it with the most I got out of him being "I like the Chicago Bulls." So I gave up and chose to watch the English Countryside unfold. I was dropped off at my dorm where, already, all the security guards and workers were calling me Zach (or Jach with their accents). I corrected them twice to no avail. Then, I came into my flat and opened up my room. For a single, I think it's a good size. I have a desk and a cabinet for my clothes. I have my own bathroom and shower. The view isn't so nice (parking lot). I'll post some pictures once I get some decorations.
Well after I dropped my stuff I looked up the closest superstore to buy some food and supplies. On my way to the superstore, I was almost killed twice by cars because they were driving on the other side of the road unlike us Americans. The Superstore, ASDA, is a hybrid Marcs and Walmart. It's nice than a Marcs and has more stuff other than groceries, but it isn't as fancy, you read that right, as Walmart. One thing is for sure, Mary Schmotzer you were right, it's expensive. Because I only had myself to do the shopping I ended up hiking two trips to the store. Everyone that worked there was nice. They made fun of me when I said dish soap instead of cleansing liquid, and chicken breasts instead of chick filets. I'm hoping the food I bought will last me two weeks. If not, I may need to set up a canned food drive back in Cleveland.
After settling into my room, I noticed that one of my flatmates was here. I couldn't tell the whole time I've been here if they were here or not. Finally, they opened up their door and came out into our kitchen and I was taken aback. It was a girl! Apparently it's common for girls and boys to share flats here in England. In fact the flat across from me has 3 girls and 2 boys. Culture Shock #1. Culture Shock #2: Everyone and I mean EVERYONE smokes. All the students do it, everyone I've seen in the public has had a cig in their mouth. Everyone in the dorm just goes down to the lot outside of my window and smokes together. No wonder Liverpool has such a fog...
For the three trivia posters from my last blog, the answer was Martha, My Dear! Yep, Martha was Paul's Sheepdog. This blog's trivia is:
This whole being five hours ahead thing is really throwing me off. I keep wanting to contact someone but I have to remember I'm so far ahead in time. Please don't hesitate to contact me. Tomorrow, I get to do orientation stuff. Whoo! I'll keep you updated!
Peace and Love,
Mark
Peace and Love,
Mark