Sarah's Campaign to Build Muscle

So moving to another country for four months involves a lot of luggage. Ok, fine. Me moving to another country for four months involves a lot of luggage! That makes sense, right? Here's the problem...I am ridiculously weak! My suitcases were over the weight limit, but the Air India man let me take them anyway...phew! But everything was potentially necessary! So it was quite the hassle moving those suitcases around! But who even wants to hear about that!
Our flight was good- someone else had to take care of my suitcases so that left me free to watch Bollywood movies! Honestly, if you get the chance, watch one- they are a hoot! At least Emily and I thought so - we sat together - Phoebe was right across from us but moved toward the back so a family could sit together - she's the best;) She made some new friends! So Em and I watched Bollywood and laughed our brains out - we were the only people on the Air India flight laughing at the film that everyone was watching (and the kids were dancing along to!)...hmmm. O well. So our flight was good - there was a lot of turbulence the closer we got to the UK, the food was strange, and we were all dehydrated! But we arrived early (we may have screamed and jumped up and down because we were in ENGLAND...), got through everything quickly and then sat down at Baggage Reclaim to wait for Joel to arrive. Which he did not. So we finally left to find the Yotel!!!! Yes, YOtel...waaaaaay cooler than plain old 'hotel'. This was the hotel in Heathrow Airport - in case you ever want to find it - its in terminal 4 and the very furthest corner of the top floor. We know that now! So the three of us, Phoebe, Em and I settled in there, the pink lit hallways and clear glass bathroom doors surprisingly did not deter us! Joel finally showed up after his plane had to emergency land in Halifax and we squished 4 people into modern but very impractical 2 person room! The airport, hotel, underground (train) was all very warm and super dry so we thought that it was funny that our first impressions of England were that it was warm and dry as opposed to the typical cold and wet! Then we went outside...when everyone else finally showed up - all jetlagged and whatnot, we loaded onto a bus to head to Charlbury. Peter met us there - he's in charge of all kinds of stuff on the programme and I believe he will even be teaching us a class. So he showed us the sights on the way- those who were awake, that is! I was awake, just so you know;) But it was incredibly foggy on Saturday! And the moisture on the trees was frozen so the scenery was incredible!
When we got to Charlbury, our home for the time we spend here, we were met by the cheerful and friendly programme coordinators and moved all our suitcases into Charlbury Baptist Church - which is essentially our HQ. Then we had lunch and did introductions! And afterwards, our hosts came to pick us up. Phoebe and I are staying with Sue who we liked right away! She brought her daughter Laura to come get us and it took two trips to get our luggage to her house!
The house is great! Sue has three kids but Ben is the only one still at home but we didn't get to meet him till later on - but we knew that there would never be a dull moment!
After setting up our rooms (Phoebe and I each get our own - mine is purple!), we had dinner together with Sue and Dave and then we all went off to experience a truly British institution, the Pub! It was great! There was live entertainment and the people were so fun and friendly! I had some true English beer, and yes, it was great!
Sunday morning, we went to church at Charlbury Baptist and then went on a town tour. People, honestly, this is the most beautiful little town ever! It's like a dream! Then we had lunch followed by orientation which was overwhelming but got me even more excited!
Now I'm off to bed - someone's got to go to Oxford tomorrow, you know;)