Welcome to Wales

Hi everyone,

Sorry it took so long for me to write. It has not even been a week since I have gotten here and it has been interesting. Getting to Swansea was a long and tiring process. The bus ride was about five hours long. There was some traffic in Cardiff which held us up for the Rugby World Cup or something. But I met a man from Wales on the bus who basically gave me a history lesson as we traveled from London to Wales and told me what each landmark was and why it was named what it was. Swansea was packed and overflowing when I got off the bus and I had absolutely no idea how to carry the two huge suitcases that I brought with me. I attached them together and they all toppled over. So I took a taxi, for a little over 8 pounds, which is more than $16. Apparently, you do not have to tip anyone in this country!

So I got to the student village and it is much much larger than you imagine it to be. It never ends. There was only 3 other people already moved into my flat. All Americans. But I live with 6 people. 5 are American. Most of them are from Tennessee and Iowa. 1 is Welsh. So for the most part I hang out with other Americans. We take over some of the buildings that we live in and they call them the "Yankee flats."

That weekend I went into the city centre with some of the girls I live with and they showed me around to the grocery store, Tesco, and what buses to take. We have to buy our own food. So I've been eating a lot of pasta and cereal. It is so strange to go grocery shopping here, first of all, the people push their shopping carts like they drive their cars. Recklessly! But they have namebrands that resemble the American ones and they sell Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese, and weird things in a can. Unfortunately, they do not sell relish. I even looked at the "pound store", which is our "dollar store." It makes me laugh everytime. I have been getting my contribution to the household needs there.

Monday was the first day at the University, and there were so many people running around and waiting in lines. The longest lines were for tickets to the school sponsored latenight activities in the city centre. I luckily had bought tickets online before hand. So I got to cut everyone and pick them up. This night we went out to a bunch of different bars and clubs on Wind Street. They pronounce that as Wine. A little confusing sometimes.

The registering process for classes is the longest one. It is not as simple as clicking the buttons on the computer, you have to run around and get certain people to sign your form. And it doesn't help that nobody in the Psychology department knew I existed, because I am going through the engineering department. But I got it all straightened out and I will be taking 4 classes. I only have classes on Mondays and Tuesdays which should allow for some serious traveling. I also signed up for lacrosse which practices twice a week and has a couple games a week. That should be fun. Two girls from Tennessee that I live with, also play and will be joining the team with me.

Today I went to Mumbles. The place my parents will be getting a house for a week. It was gorgeous. Right on the water. I had my first fish and chips experience in Wales with mushy peas. Mushy peas looks like guacamole, but a different texture. It is absolutely delicious. The town has all sorts of hills and castles and shops and places to go. I climbed some rocks right by the water and the water was not that cold. Saturday I am going to the Gower with a couple friends which is supposedly, beautiful. Can't wait!