From planes and trains to boats and cars...

I have been overseas since the 29th of December, but it still hasn't really hit me that I am here. My dad came over with me because we were hoping to have a chance to see family, however with the weather and holiday season we weren't able to. I won't bore you with details of that and instead relate some of the more interesting stories. On the plane ride over I sat next to a French women who I tried to converse with, I decided from then on I was just going to stick to the present tense as much as possible so there wouldn't be as many awkward pauses. She was quite friendly and gave us a few tips about Paris. When we finally arrived in Paris we got horribly lost on the Metro. All I can say is thank god for taxis. A vietnamese guy tried to show us how to get to our station, but being dumb Americans we couldn't figure it out. Paris was interesting, but rather drab this time of year. Everyone wore black and other dark colors, even the children. The best thing that happened was probably the meal we had at a little neighborhood cafe. The men who owned it only spoke french, but were extremely nice and smiled constantly. It is amazing what a little smile can do to improve the mood. Of course my dad and I went to the Louvre and such-I couldn't find the painting I was looking for by Artemisia Gentileschi.

We crossed the channel on a boat between Rotterdam and Hull. I made an attempt to get on wifi because I hadn't been connected since I arrived. It ended up involving a guy from the Netherlands and three very confused crew members. Needless to say, I did not achieve full internet access despite the five pounds I paid for the card.

Upon arrival in England we had to retrieve the car and begin the five hour drive to Edinburgh. It gets dark remarkably early this far north. The sun rises around eight and sets about four-thirty; it really messed with me the first night. My dad and I got lost trying to find our hotel and after driving around and asking for directions from people on the street as well as frequent calls to our hotel. Eventually someone from the hotel came and found us.

There is not much else to say yet. My dad and I wondered around the Royal Mile yesterday then came back to the Hotel. He left this morning which was of course sad, but I am not homesick. For now I am just waiting for it all to begin.