Week One Done!

Photos:

Tower Bridge as seen from Millennium Bridge

Parliament. Section that connects the original building from the refurbished portion.

Westminster Abbey

St. Paul's Cathedral from Millennium Bridge

Things I've learned in my first week in London:

One of our biggest lessons has been in language. Its all English but if you use an American English word then the Brits will literally have no idea what you are talking about. Examples:

rubbish = garbage/trash

toilet = bathroom
p = pence

cheers = thank you (also used as a celebratory exclamation of excitement!)

take away = take out

fag = cigarette

zebra = crosswalk

green man = crossing signal

post = mail/post office

sponge = cake

bill = check

pop over & hop on = come over/stop by

chips = french fries

crisps = chips

trousers = pants

pants = underwear

- also apparently if you give the peace sign but expose the back of your hand not your palm its so offensive that our leaders told us never ever do that and wouldn't even say what it meant. . .

- museums and other cultural activities like that are free or insanely affordable.

- tip is included in your bill so don't overpay! never tip at bars!

- recycle everything you can, they are very much into making their country green before the Olympics in 2012

- look both ways on the street even though they all tell you which way to look

- warm beer is actually really good. also the choices and strength of the beer over on this side of the pond is much better!

- stamps are expensive

- its very easy to have a pet, especially a dog here. they are welcome on the subway, streets and have a wonderful leash-less time in all of the parks!

- pigeons are the devil. It is perfectly acceptable to kick a pigeon in London but you will be harshly rebuked for feeding them, as we have seen!

I begin my internship on Tuesday working for an Executive Producer at a documentary film company here. I will be working with her on researching her projects as well as learning how to create and market my own! I'm very excited but also looking forward to these last few carefree days of vacation time!

Tomorrow I will be going to see the Changing of the Guard and going inside some of the sights we saw on our tour yesterday. Followed by a fun day of Sunday marketing which is THEE thing to do on a London weekend as I've heard!