The Lost Day

8:15 a.m., June 6, 2009
      Despite running on no sleep, yesterday was a full day. We arrived at the flats late in the morning, guided by our liason with the ACCENT office, Sorrel. After dropping off our luggage and grabbing a jacket, she showed us around the neighborhood. Right around the corner, we have a grocer's, a pharmacy, a coffeeshop, and few restaurants. Apparently, there's a weekend market right down the street.
      After this brief tour, us guys got settled in to our flat. The five guys on the trip are myself, Loren, Brian, Colby, and Tim. So far, it seems as if the entire group is going to get along pretty well. Both of my British adventures have turned out great in this respect.
      We went to the grocer's to pick up some light lunch food supplies for the flat. It was interesting to see how British grocery items differ from those in the States. The staple items: bread, cereal, meat, cheese, milk, they are all very similar, but yet somehow just a little bit off. The frozen section here is a mix of British and Indian cuisine, the sugary cereals have different mascots and titles, and the cheese is never pre-sliced. The hot deli is stocked with chicken tikka masala and pastries stuffed with chicken curry. Considering myself something of former grocer, I find this very interesting.
      Upon returning to the flat, we entrenched ourselves and attempted a very American activity: watching television. There was a brief tussle with the set, as it was reluctant to turn on for us.
      Flipping through the channels, we found some interesting fare. Top Gear, news channels, the British equivalent of MTV (except they actually played music videos) and an inhumanly creepy kids' show. featuring two horrendous puppets, Riley and Scruff. Eventually we found coverage of the French Open and settled on that. Today there was much settling.
      Soon enough, it was time for us to go to orientation at the ACCENT office. Our guide again came 'round the flat and led us across central London to the destination, which happened to be in a neighborhood that I knew quite well. It was near the hotel from my last stay here, the British Museum, and a tight little place called Gosh Comics. On this walk, anyone could easily spot all the male BSI students literally swoon over the admittedly beautiful British babe leading us.
      Orientation was a fairly standard affair, designed to acclimate us with residing in the city. Many of us were nodding off as issues of safety and proper procedure were being explained. I struggled to keep my head up so as not to seem rude, but I was on the verge of passing out entirely for quite some time. When it was all said and done. we departed once more for Bakers Row.
      In front of the street leading to our new homes, Loren, Brian, and myself met up with several of the girls, some of whom I must admit I still do not know by name. We all grabbed cheap sandwiches for dinner and then went our respective ways at No. 20.
      Upon returning, we three men pretended like we weren't all that tired before promptly passing out. I woke several times during the night, but did not finally get out of bed until about 7:00 this morning.
These Coco Pops were not as tasty as I had hoped.
We must run to class now.
Cheers.