I should have brought more sweaters...

First impression: London is COLD!  (and rainy, but that's to be expected)  The temperature here is about 15 degrees colder than it is at home.  (I'm jealous since the temperatures at home have finally become perfect summer days!)  It's day 2 here and, although I am still fighting jet lag, I attempted to venture out into the neighborhood to pick up a few things and got completely soaked!  Brrrr!

Anyway, I arrived here fairly uneventfully early yesterday morning (local time).  The plane was not full at all, so I had two seats all to myself!  R was not too late picking me up from the airport (within acceptable IST and completely within his own personal time frame!)  :)  He has been a fantastic host-pointing out all kinds of navigable landmarks and giving me suggestions on places to shop for things I need. 

So far, I've only broken two things: 1.) my hairdryer, which claimed to be able to run on 220 current and 2.) my umbrella (mental note: don't pack in the outside pocket of your suitcase).  I did get a SIM card, so I feel connected to the outside world again.  The clerk actually asked me if I was Irish.  (I mean, I know I'm bad at accents...but have I ever sounded Irish???)  Must have been the green shirt I was wearing...

I just have to end with this photo.  Let me say, I'm relieved that R doesn't live here! (It's just down the street though!)