Pint anyone?

Well I'm here at last, exhausted, but alive! The last 30 hours have been a rollercoaster of emotions and adventures, which have included very little sleep (about 3 hours collectively I think).

I arrived in London earlier than expected, made my way down to customs and stood in line from 5:30a until 7:00a. I finally get up to the counter and the lady tried to tell me I had to have a Visa, which I had already looked into before I left and was assured I didn't need...so she checked me in as a visitor instead of a student and didn't bother to take a look at my return ticket. Real nice huh? Anyway, after waiting in line for so long...I make my way to the baggage claim area and couldn't find the one reading "Chicago," so I asked and was directed to Terminal 1, which is not where my bags were. So after a bit of confusion, I located my bags, which had already been pulled off of the carousel. I then wind my way through Heathrow airport to find the bus station. The bus station was a breeze compared to the airport. I boarded the bus and headed to the center of London where I caught another bus to take me to Wales. After about 4 1/2 hours I arrived in Cardiff, very tired, with very heavy bags. I made my way to the hostel only to find out my room is on the top floor! Seriously? My bags have to be carried where?

Well I made it up the several flights of stairs and enjoyed a nice cold shower, which eventually (a long eventually) turned hot. Then I caught a train to go out and meet the gentleman who owns the house with a vacant room. He was extremely nice, as was his daughter who I'll be living with, along with another student, a male from Dubai. Anyway, we had tea and worked out the arrangements. I'm moving in tomorrow morning. He's gonna pick me up at the train station again! So I'm not homeless! I'll have an address soon and hopefully a local cell phone number by Saturday. My first day has been extremely productive, although challenging. I'm feeling pretty okay about things now though.

The best part, I returned to my hostel to find The Smashing Pumpkins blaring on the stereo and they haven't stopped playing Pumpkins since! So I'm drinking my first British pint and am gonna turn in soon! I'm very tired!