Orientation

Today marks Day 1 of Orientation, and as I suspected there is a lot to orient myself to in this city. First impressions: I love London. The people here are surprisingly friendly, even towards us Americans (though this is only after Day 1, so I'm not saying I won't run into a rough crowd at some point). And I don't think I'll ever get over the accent. The city itself is beautiful in its Victorian charm, despite the dreary weather. There is so much history going back all the way to primitive times here in London that it really gives one pause to think just to think how long the Brits have been around (though not necessarily as we know them now). Our flat is right near Hyde Park and Royal Albert Hall in Knightsbridge which is by all accounts a swanky place to be here in the city. I just got my international cell phone and Oyster Card (for the Tube system) and realized the high value of the British Pound. That's going to be something I have to get more used to and learn to properly value... nothing comes cheap here.
Overall there is still much much more to do, but I'm loving it so much. I'll keep updating as Orientation progresses and then afterwards... once the fun begins!