So, Bath is almost on par with Riverside. Albeit without the intersections of Uvedale and Uvedale. All the streets are winding, and as I've only been here a day, I have yet to distinguish one old Georgian house from another (apart from the Bath abbey, which is amazing). I have spent the better part of the last day and a half wandering about the city with my flat mates (can I call this a flat? Perhaps I shall call it my house, out of respect), getting lost and found again. It is one of my favorite past times. We've passed pubs with names like The Raven, or The Hobgobblin (which I really want to go to), and there was even one called Sheron's Head. Although it wasn't Sheron.. it was something much more Middle Eastern sounding.
Anyways, today we woke up around eight in order to be at our first orientation meeting at nine, where I truly cannot remember all that was said, apart from the introductions to the various ASE staff members. Then we were each given coffee or tea and cookies, and 120 pounds for food for the next three weeks. A forty pound budget fer week that I have already spent. Although honestly, that wasn't that bad as I bought groceries and shampoo and conditioner and body wash. Sidenote: my body wash is awesome. It is called: you need a blooming shower! (rose and jasmine flavored.) on the back, it says: "look at that, the blooming man in your life has left toilet seat up again. and he's blooming well dropped his dirty towels on the floor. wouldn't you know it, he's also squeezed the blooming toothpaste from the top again. oh, and aren't those his blooming pants behind the door? why can't he just put them in the blooming laundry basket? never mind, at least you can enjoy a shower with this floral body cleanser. heavens, he's only gone and blooming used it all to wash himself. we only want you for your body." This is not a joke. This is what my body wash says. With no capital letters. Awesome. Although admittedly, I do not especially enjoy the smell of jasmine and rose. But whatever. It's too cute.
After purchasing groceries (and realizing that I should always buy light things because I have to carry them the four-five blocks back to my house), we went to lunch at this chain called Caffee Nerro. I might have spelled that wrong. But it was amazing. They had sandwiches and soups in a little fridge that you picked out, which they would then grill or heat for you. It was like a cozier Caribou, or a more modern Bourgeious Pig. I think I will probably spend a lot of my time there this next semester. And another thing--I have realized that it is almost spring here. There's green grass and sprouting flowers and everything. Let me explain something to you. I brought (1) tweed coat, (1) London Fog rain coat, (1) Northface puffy coat, (1) polar fleece, and (1) casual raincoat.
Hmmmm.
So.... I definitely do not need all of these. It really felt like an early Chicago spring day today, and Jonathon (he's the director of the program) said it's only supposed to get warmer throughout the week. Why oh why do I always have to be prepared?? Darn Girl scouts.
We were then given a tour of the Nelson House, which is the building that holds most of my classes (one is held in my basement. YESSSS). This place is amazing. There is a little cave in the basement to do homework or study, and the library is awesome. I was also able to get a peek at the books I will have to buy and A) they look awesome, and B) i brought one of them with me! Yay for saving 20 pounds! And there is an awesome man named Mr. Butterworth (I kid you not), who is the sweetest and who is one of the best tour guides in Britain, apparently, and teaches at our program. I don't think I have him, but he is giving a tour in Bath for ASE students, so I will hopefully get to go along on that.
I should also probably do a little bit more explanation about where I'm living... Linley house is a historical building where the Linley family used to live. One of their sons (they were a very musical family) was apparently good friends with Mozart. No big deal. I wonder if Mozart ever stayed here.
Awesome... But yes, there are two doubles on the first floor (off the main hallway, so it's very cold because there's a drafty letter box--although the house is very drafty in general so that doesn't really matter), and I am in the back one, which over looks the patio, which is a floor beneath me. If you walk straight out my door, you will walk down some stairs to get to the laundry room, classroom, and bathroom (which doesn't have a shower, cause this bathroom is also for the kids who have class down there). If you turn to the left right as you walk in the front door, there are a set of up-going stairs, which will take you to the common room, dining room, and (tiny) kitchen. (PS I bought broccoli at the store. I don't know if I've ever done that before.) Then if you go up to the next floor, there are two more bedrooms and a bathroom with two showers and a sink. The toilet is through a different skinny door and up a skinnier and steeper flight of stairs (that is really a glorified ladder). Although there is a bathtub and sink up there too, so it's well worth the trip. All in all, we live in an amazing place.
And I have officially signed up to volunteer with the Baptist church to hang out with the 6-day old babies to the three year olds. And for swing dancing, and for Jane Austen dancing. And I might join a gym. Although this costs about 96 pounds for the four months. Mother? Care to chip in? It's all in the name of health!
Love you all, and this will probably be more like a daily blog. Feel free to tune in whenever. Hugs!
-Liza
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