We made it!

I'm very sorry this isn't more detailed; I actually had a page and a half on Word, but computer problems meant that the computer I typed it on couldn't get on the Internet, and apparently it didn't save to the jump drive. The Internet connection here is extremely expensive, so I'll try to get it up in the limited time I have. Suffice it to say, we all made it. The first time fliers were a little nervous, and we had a bit of a rough flight going from Springfield to Dallas, but it was smooth after that. Clare thought that seeing the ground thousands of feet below was "just like Google Earth!" (what can I say, we are a technologically-advanced generation?)

Parents, you'll be glad to know that none of your children are suspected terrorists. I was nearly put on that list, because I took a picture of the plane, and apparently it's illegal. Um, if terrorists were planning on blowing up Boeing 777s would they get a college student to take pictures you can find on the Internet with a two-second Google search? I don't think so. A barrage of yelling from a British lady and a deleted photo later, I was able to escape with my reputation intact.

Trey made a friend. A lady from Glasgow was sitting across the aisle and talking to him on the flight. She gave him a Scottish one pound note. She owns a restaurant and had been in America for a few weeks, so Trey asked if she had tried Southern food. I interjected with "Like biscuits and gravy!" and her nose wrinkled up. "Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting," she said. We were amazed, considering the Scots eat HAGGIS. Trey was disappointed to find that she had tried almost no Southern food.

Everybody seems to be doing pretty good. We're all exhausted. We saw the Tower Bridge and toured the Tower of London. Lindsey Messick was one of the group that went to see the Crown Jewels and said they were really awesome and it was really neat to see them.

After that, we went to St. Paul's and attended the Evensong service. I wish I could give you some pictures of St. Paul's, but we weren't allowed to take them. It was very neat though, with the dome towering stories above your head, and gilding everywhere. The whole place seemed white and gold. The service itself was a bit mundane, although it was cool to hear the choir and the organ echoing throughout the building. We were all so exhausted that almost everyone fell asleep for a few minutes. It has given us a whole new view on chapel at CofO!

After that, it was an easy decision to go to the hotel. Our hotel is in the docks area, and it wasn't quite what we expected. We're afraid to touch much because they charge for everything (like the Internet!). Definitely not like the U.S. and we've learned to be grateful for what we have there (and it's only one day into the trip!). The rooms are quite small, maybe 10' x 14' and for the three girl rooms, we have two twin beds shoved against each other and one cot. There's barely space to walk. The bathrooms are what we call "deluxe portapotties" because they're all plastic, with a sink, toilet, and shower. The shower is barely big enough for one person to fit in. We were joking that when you're in there, don't drop the soap, because you have to get out of the shower to pick it up again (unfortunately, it's not much of a joke!). However, we're optimistic about our future accommodations. This was something of a last-minute arrangement.

While you at home are enjoying your Easter evenings, we in England are enjoying a good night's sleep. Clare and Lindsey are in my room, and they're both already asleep; it's a sign of how exhausted we all are!

We'll probably be able to post more on Tuesday or Wednesday, but if we can find someplace offering free Internet, we'll do it before then. Keep checking! I'll try to get pictures up in the future.

We'll put up pictures when we're able to access a free wireless connection.