aventuras de alyssa

Cheerio! I’m officially on UK soil! This is going to be a quick one, because even though this day has felt like 70 years, it’s only been 24 hours!

I left from Newark last night at 9 pm (1 hr delay due to some guy deciding to get off the plane & they had to find his luggage… silly) and arrived at Heathrow at 9 am. It was an absolute madhouse at Newark Airport, but the flight was smooth sailing. I only slept for an hour, which wasn’t ideal – note to self, bring Zzzquil next time! All of my bags (three checked bags) came out quickly from the baggage claim, which was great because I usually have suitcase anxiety that they are lost to the abyss. Mom helped me figure out how to hook them all together so I could roll all four suitcases by myself. I was able to connect to wifi and call an Uber to my temporary housing and could hardly keep my eyes open for the time it took to get to the housing. The place is very cute and in central London, right by St. Paul’s Cathedral. I’m right on the Thames and I had a gorgeous sunny London day to welcome me.

I needed a quick nap and then I went to a cute coffee shop called The Wren (thanks Stef!). I had a much needed latte and walked around St. Paul’s a bit before heading to the mobile shop to set up my UK phone number. The girls at the shop were incredibly nice. We bonded over the fact that they love New Jersey from Real Housewives and Jerseylicious, which was a show recorded in my hometown. It’s a very small world!!! I stopped at a random grocery store and grabbed a few items for the week (along with a bottle of wine of course). I went for a nice evening walk across Millennium Bridge and had my first pint at Founder’s Arms! I sat with views of the Thames and St. Paul’s and read my latest thriller book. On my way back to the apartment, a busker was playing “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen and as Mackenzie put it, it was “a sign from the New Jersey Gods themselves.” Can’t ask for anything more than that!

I was stressed, but it turned out to be a lovely first day. On tomorrow’s docket is two flat viewings and drinks with a friend! Here’s to a wonderful beginning!