Jan. 26

After months of planning, I'm finally here! I arrived at the Daniel House safely yesterday right around lunch time. Sarah and Trey are the house parents and welcomed me in.

My goal was not to fall asleep until at least 8, so I knew I had to get out and do something. After lunch I got a tube pass and rode it to Piccadilly Circus. I people watched and walked to both Leicester and Trafalgar Square. Tons of tourists and Londoners and monuments. St. James park is right beside Trafalgar Square and is a cute park (complete with thousands of friendly squirrels, pigeons, and pelicans) that creeps right up on Buckingham Palace. I didn't go in, but I did see the guards and watched them pace for a little while. Found my way back to the tube and grabbed a sandwich on the way back to the Daniel House! I realized that as long as I kept in my mind how to get back to the nearest tube station, I was fine to meander.

I was able to unpack, shower and watch a bit of the BBC version of Emma. I am in England after all! The rest of my group gets here today around 1 and I can't wait to see them. The rest of this week I think the plan is for us to learn the neighborhood and how to get around the city. I'll keep you updated on all I see!