Second Day in Manchester

Hey!

So far today has gone much better than yesterday. Nothing smells like fire when I plug it in and nothing has broken...*knock on wood.* Last night I didn't go out with my new friends because I could barely keep my eyes open past 8pm. The fire alarm went off four times last night. I did find out why this happens, I guess it actually is a really big issue on UK universities. Drunken college students find it very funny to set off the alarms in the dorms multiple times per night. They say that no one every really leaves the building in the night when alarms go off because they know its someone being stupid. SO ANNOYING! what if there was an actual fire?!

This morning everyone thought they had a mandatory orientation class to go to at campus. I actually tackled the terrifying bus system all by myself. I asked the driver about my destination and he had no idea what I was talking about. So I just looked for a University of Manchester sign and got off there. The way to get around here is just to ask a million questions to just anyone who looks friendly. I found it pretty easily. Unfortuneatly, I was not supposed to be there until Monday!

It was fun to get a snapshot of the main campus. It is a lot more busy then I thought it would be. The bus system is bigger than ours, you only have to wait like five minutes in order to catch a ride anywhere. I bought a pass for 78 pounds that is unlimited, twenty four hours in Manchester. The main road of Manchester runs right in front of the main campus. It is absolutely gorgeous...I wish I could show you photos. The older part of campus is really pretty, across the Oxford Road is kind of newer campus (maybe the 50s) which is not very attractive (kind of reminded me of Gonzaga). I cannot wait to tour the campus and see all the old buildings.

I ran into a girl friend I met at the airport, Wesley, she goes to Bentley School of Business in Boston. She invited me to go out with her and some other friends dancing tonight...that will be a good opportunity to meet more exchange students.

Today seems to be going better although the internet and all ATMs are not working yet blah. Tomorrow I am going on a walking tour through a street market (Asda) and a city tour on a bus for three hours..I am very excited for both. Being in a foreign country doesn't seem as intimidating when I have an idea of my surroundings.

O and I forgot to mention last time...the style here is very emo/punk! Boys wear tight jeans and v-neck shirts with a necklace or two. Their hair is always like messy, faux hawk-ish, kind of like the guy that ran the MTV awards this year. Girls wear boots with leggings and longer sweaters...which is kind of what is just coming into style now in the States. Not as much make-up here or hair styling for the girls. I've pretty much gotten used to people always starring at me wherever I go...I don't think I look much different but they obviously think so haha!

And I forgot to tell you yesterday: Remember how the UK way of saying 'whats up' is 'are you alright?' Well I keep forgetting and people keep saying to me 'are you alright?' and I keep saying 'ya.' Everytime this happens I get a really strange look and I don't realize why until its too late. They asked whats up and I answered with ya. I thought that was kind of funny.

Some more words US to UK:
-cell phone- mobile (said like moe-bI-el)
-to call- to ring
-freshman- freshers
-sophomores- second years
-juniors- third years
-seniors- fourth years
-apartment- flats

Cheers!
Natalie

PS- I have been taking some photos. But I cannot post them until my internet is up.