In anticipation for this trip to Europe, I did extensive research and tried to understand the cities I’d be visiting as much as possible. I lived and breathed Google Earth for weeks. I bought street maps and studied them like textbooks. I even checked out Craigslist international to see what interested the people I’d be interacting with on a daily basis — all the while procrastinating on important school papers and midterms (sorry professors back home).
To say the least, it paid off big time!
Every big city has a hectic heartbeat and when I got separated from my group at the busiest airport in the world I had to find my own way to the hotel. It took all of five minutes to figure it out. London’s intricate and self explanatory subway system, the Underground, or Tube, was a short walk from where I last saw my fellow students. I secured directions and a three-day pass quicker than I even realized.
After 22 stops, one transfer, and meeting three new friends, I arrived safely a block away from my hotel, though it took me 45 minutes to actually find the joint. London is a beautiful, unique city that is big enough to intimidate the savviest of travelers, but it’s also a place that feels somewhat close to home. Aside from the heavy English accents, royal family, century-old buildings and a genuine European glamour, London wouldn’t be a far cry from the wildly enormous cities of the United States.
I’m just starting my journey and I can already say that Londoners respect international tourists in a way that is not only supportive and helpful, but makes you feel comfortable and welcome. I couldn’t expect anything more and would love to stay longer than planned. I’ll be sorry to leave so soon.
John Ellis
Print Journalism
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