London's Central Park

Slept in this morning and went for a run in the beautiful Regent's Park, right near our campus. The gardens are perfectly manicured and there is certainly no shortage of bright green grass to sit on. It was busy today because it's gorgeous outside - probably about 65 degrees and very sunny. I ran through the sports fields where dozens of mini-Beckhams were running around. Soccer moms and dads exist here, too, but they seem more polite because of their accents. The park also has a zoo and a couple of restaurants and coffee stands. There are tons of walking and jogging paths, fountains and gardens, and rows of benches for some good people watching.

One thing I've noticed since being in London is that people dress very differently. They may be wearing the same clothes I have, or at least the same colors of clothing, but they just look much more trendy and out there. Lots of mismatch, loose clothing, scarves, very tight pants, boots.... it all seems pretty normal until you actually put it together. And way more crazy colors of hair than in Center City Philadelphia. Also, the city is HUGE and I know we've only seen a fraction of it. Unfortunately there is no simple grid system so keeping my trusty "London: A to Z" close at hand is essential (btw it's said Zed, here, instead of just Zee). London is so livable, especially for anyone who likes cities. I feel like this semester abroad will be a little bit about appreciating/understanding the culture, and more about living in a new city with new people and making sure I see as much as I can. And I am totally ok with that... in fact I knew that coming in. Getting used to cars driving on the left side of the road, though? I don't think I'll ever get used to that.