Travelling

So it must be said, I'm feeling rather sorry for myself at the moment. I've been working long hours; nearly everyday since I've been home. I haven't really seen as many people as I would have liked to and I'm worried I won't before I head off again. However, I have to remind myself that these long hours will be worth it in the long run. 

Over the last couple of months I have been planning and booking the travelling that I intend to do once I complete my university year in America. The majority is booked; I have a few flights and hostels that need to be sorted, but overall I am ready. I thought I would write out the itinerary for the trip. 

May 14th 

Day 1 - Arrive in Los Angeles 

In the early hours of the morning I will fly to Los Angeles and meet Colleen at the airport a few hours later. We'll then travel together to our hotel and do a bit of touristy stuff - see Hollywood, the homes of the stars etc. 

May 15th 

Day 2 - Journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas 

We have a pretty early start that day, meeting the other passengers of the Contiki tour at a Hilton hotel in L.A at 5am. We will then drive to Las Vegas, through the Mojave Desert, see the iconic Joshua Trees and end up in Sin City. The evening consists of heading down to the 'Strip' and then a limo trip down Freemont Street and who knows what next... 

May 16th 

Day 3 - Journey from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon 

I imagine we'll probably have the hangover of a lifetime on this morning, so I imagine a lot of the time on the coach will consist of sleeping. We will follow a section of Route 66 and stop at the small of Seligman. We will then continue onto one of the world's greatest natural wonders. 

May 17th 

Day 4 - Grand Canyon National Park 

There is the opportunity to have a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon in the morning and in the afternoon, we will hike along the South Rim of the Canyon. 

May 18th 

Day 5 - Grand Canyon to Durango via Monument Valley 

Again there will be a lot of travelling involved in this day and we will experience views, famous in John Wayne films. We will visit the Navajo Tribal Park along the way and learn about the American Indian way of life. After this, we will leave the colourful rock formations of Arizona and Utah and head into the rugged state of Colorado. 

May 19th 

Day 6 - Durango to Albuquerque 

The day will consist of horseback riding across the back country and a visit to an old mine on a four wheel drive excursion. Heading to New Mexico, it will be time to hang out in the pueblo of Albuquerque. 

May 20th 

Day 7 - Albuquerque to Amarillo 

On the way to Amarillo (haha), we will stop in Santa Fe, a city that mixes Mexican, Spanish, Anglo and American Indian cultures. During this trip we will visit the art galleries and architecture of the city. Heading Eastbound, we will go to Amarillo, a small town known for its ranches and cattle auctions. We will also visit a 'Cadillac ranch' and learn a bit about the classic American car. 

There is also an opportunity to take on the 'Big Steak Challenge' - a 4.4lb portion of beef. 

May 21st 

Day 8 - Amarillo to Dallas 

The next two days will not be very new for me. It will consist of visiting some of the downtown core spots! 

May 22nd 

Day 9 - Dallas 

Again, this day will consist of visiting the Sixth Floor Museum (although I did this a couple of months ago) and a tour to the Cowboys Stadium (again, been there, done that). Later we will head to Fort Worth, famous for its historic stockyards. It's a pretty sweet city - might pick up some cowboy boots on my way! 

May 23rd 

Day 10 - Dallas to Memphis 

Leaving Texas and entering Arkansas, you can grab a photo of yourself in two places at once. We will stop at Little Rock, an important spot during the Civil Rights Movement and former home of Bill Clinton. We we cross the Mississippi River and pull into Memphis and stop at the Rock'n'Soul Museum in the city. 

May 24th 

Day 11 - Memphis 

We will start by visiting Graceland, the home of the King of Rock'n'Roll. We will visit the Civil Rights Museum, which is housed in the Lorraine Motel, the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. We will head to Sun Studios, famous for recording Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. We will head to Beale Street in the evening, the stomping ground for famous singers such as B.B King and Tina Turner. 

May 25th 

Day 12 - Memphis to New Orleans 

On our way, we will visit Jackson and cross Lake Pontchartrain on the longest bridge in the world. We will head to New Orleans' French Quarter, the French Market and Jackson Square. We will head out on a Mississippi riverboat and head onto the river to listen to a live Dixie Jazz band. We will then head to the famous Bourbon street in the evening and probably never know what happened that night... 

May 26th 

Day 13 - New Orleans to Orlando 

That morning will consist of probably dying and maybe seeing a bit more of New Orleans. We will then head to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport and head to Orlando, Florida. We will then meet Colleen's family and will stay with them for a few days. 

May 27th 

Day 14 - Disney World, Orlando 

Pretty self-explanatory really. Lots of fun, riding roller-coasters and making the most of the great theme park. 

May 28th & May 29th 

Day 15 and 16 - Orlando and Miami 

We will spend most of this time with Colleen's family. Hopefully we will be able to visit the beaches that Florida is famous for, travel down to Miami and enjoy the inevitable hot weather that Florida is famous for. 

May 30th 

Day 17 - Orlando to New York 

There will be an early start and we will head to the Big Apple for a few days. We will head to our hostel for the evening and explore the city alone before we start our second tour on the 31st. Sights will hopefully include the Met!!!! 

May 31st 

Day 18 - New York 

Hopefully we will be able to have breakfast at Tiffany's in the morning and explore more of the city alone before we transfer to our new hotel with our new tour company. In the evening we will go on a night tour of NYC and head to the South Street Seaport to see the views of the NYC bridges at night. We will head to the Rockefeller Centre and see the statue of Prometheus outside. 

June 1st 

Day 19 - New York 

We will visit Chinatown, Wall Street and Ground Zero. We will head back down to the South Street Seaport and see views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. We will then have a boat ride around the Manhattan harbour, where we will see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan landscape. We will head up the Empire State Building and tour the United Nations, where all 192 countries meet to discuss ideas. We will head to Fifth Avenue, one of the most expensive streets in the world, Times Square and the Sea, Air and Space Museum. 

June 2nd 

Day 20 - Philadelphia to Washington D.C. 

In the morning we will head from New York to Philadelphia, where we will visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the U.S. Constitution was drafted. We will see the Liberty Bell and snack on a Philly sandwich. We will head on to the nations capital and visit the Lincoln Memorial. We will also visit the Jefferson Memorial and the National Museum of Natural History. We will see the White House and tour the Vietnam Veterans Memorial who fought during service. 

June 3rd 

Day 21 - Washington D.C. to Niagara Falls via Hershey 

We will first travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania and visit Hersheys Chocolate World. Later that day, we will head on to Niagara Falls and view the falls during the evening. 

June 4th 

Day 22 - Niagara Falls to Boston via Buffalo 

In the morning we will take a ride on the Maid of the Mist and see the falls properly. We will then head to Buffalo airport, where we will fly to Boston to continue our journey and head to our next youth hostel. 

June 5th 

Day 23 - Boston 

During our time in Boston, we will try to see as much as we can including Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail (which includes 16 key historical spots of the American Revolution), Boston harbour (to throw away our dignity/tea) and the US constitution museum. Hopefully we will be able to get to Havard and see the world famous university. 

June 6th 

Day 24 - Boston to England, U.K. 

Our last day will be more relaxed, focusing on the final journey home. My first time home in 5 months! I imagine I will be exhausted and broke at this point... 

Coming home

I was oddly nervous about going home. 

I could feel myself shaking that morning, the sort of nerves I only get before performing. I was unsure of what was going to happen when I arrived home; I was worrying that maybe everything had changed and that everyone I cared for had forgotten about me. A lot of irrational thoughts, but still... 

The airport experience in the U.S was different to the one had experienced trying to get into the States. Instead of the grueling questions and being taken in for extra searches, I was asked nothing, no one asked to see my visa/visa forms and there was one search. If that didn't say 'thanks for leaving our country', I don't know what does. 

The journey home was comfortable. Although the journey was delayed by approximately two hours, we arrived in London on time (turns out they decided to take a short cut and the flight became seven hours rather than nine...). I didn't sleep very well on the plane. There was so much going around my head. Although I desperately wanted to go home, the truth was that I had got used to not seeing anyone I knew. 

The other harsh truth was that this journey meant that half of the adventure was already over. 

STOP. 

Before you continue, play this to finish the rest of this blog... 

I woke up after maybe an hour, looked out of my window and suddenly saw land. I saw those wonderful green hills for the first time in four months. Although I had grown used to Texas, there was something rather ugly about the barren, brown terrain of Texas. I suppose when I have always lived on the border of the countryside, I have become close to these green flowing hills and until I saw them for the first time in such a long time, I didn't realise how much I had missed them. 

Flying into Heathrow, we circled London and from the skies I could see the Thames, the Millennium Dome and the London Eye. When stuck in Denton, I had realised how lucky I was at home to live so close to the capital and one of the most important cultural, political and financial centres on the planet.

Running through customs and grabbing my suitcase I saw my Mum and Dad for the first time in too long, as I entered arrivals. 

I feel like a douche. I just cried over writing about bloody hills. 

The sad stuff

The thought that comes into your mind after you spend some time with those you're close to for the first time in months is 'I'm going to be alone again'. 

You learn how to say goodbye. This goodbye is forever. 

Things I wish I had known before my year abroad - part one

It's been over a month since I wrote an entry and I've missed it a lot! The term became very busy in the past three weeks with the opera and my upcoming jury, but I've found some spare time before I start the next opera, Sweeney Todd. 

I've been wanting to write a three-part blog and I want to base these blogs on three different areas: 

The things you should before you go on a year abroad, period. 

The things you should know about studying in the United States. 

The things you should know about studying in Texas. 

I have had many surprises on my journey, some have been really wonderful, others could have been avoided... If you're planning on having a year abroad, I hope that I can help reduce the amount of surprises you might have. 

So, here goes part one...

Things you should know before you go on a year abroad, period. 

1. DO IT 

If you have the opportunity and you can (sort of) afford it: do it. The chances are that you will never have this opportunity again, even though you think you might. To study abroad for your postgraduate can be a lot more expensive than the U.K. (especially if you want to go to the U.S). This opportunity means that you have the chance to live in a different country with no real responsibilities or commitments: no job, no bills, no family. 
Do it before you're trapped. 

Don't question it: do it.  

2. Go for a year, not just a semester (if you can)

If I'm honest, three months is not enough time. You're never going to settle in a new country in only three months.  However, don't feel alarmed at the prospect of a 'year'. If I'm honest, this experience has made me realise how quickly time does fly. It's nearly three weeks until I'm home and I've already been here for three months. Does it feel like three months? Not at all. 

3. Travel

This might sound ridiculous, but many people who go on a year abroad plan on travelling, but they never get the chance because life catches up with them. My recommendation is do it, even if you can't afford. Young Brits: extend your overdraft and think about the consequences when you're back in the U.K - work for the rest of the summer if you have to! This might be the only chance you have - seize the moment and do for it. 

4. Buy/borrow a decent camera 

Oh the horror. 

Whatever you do, don't do what I did and go with a cheap camera. You do not want to go to any wonders of the world and realise that your camera can barely pick up the colour, let alone the landscape. This might be a pricey investment, but if you have a friend who is willing to lend their decent camera to you on a life or death basis, do it. These memories will be captured forever. 

5. Try to meet other international students

I have had the opportunity here to make friends with people from different backgrounds. I have made friends with an incredible bunch of American's, but also a number of international exchange students like myself. As harsh as it may seem, I never really had the patience for exchange students when I was a Birmingham, especially if they couldn't speak English very well. However, when you're a foreigner as well, you realise how much of a struggle it can be - that's when you speak the language fluently as well!!!
Besides, it also means that you have a lot of cool places you can visit like Holland, Australia and Finland. 

6. If you need to get a visa for your year abroad, be advised that it doesn't take six hours

When I went to get my visa, I was under the impression that it would take approximately six hours. It doesn't. It takes around two. SO, if you don't have any plans with anyone in London, waiting for a coach for six hours probably isn't the best idea. Luckily the weather was nice, so I sat in a park near Victoria and read in the sun for a couple of hours. 

7. It's not a 24/7 holiday 

Although travelling is a must, everyday is not an adventure. Something that I wasn't expecting was the feeling of 'groundhog day'. For a period of three weeks, every day was starting to feel the same - it was like I was repeating the same day. If you're like me and you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with public transport can only be described as s***, this feeling is imminent. 

8. Homesickness can strike at any moment

Homesickness has caught me surprise here. I'm not the sort of person who would normally feel homesick, but there have been three sudden moments where I have been homesick. 

It's okay to feel like that. You'll feel instantly better after a skype with some home friends. 

9. Treasure your home food products 

I cannot begin to explain how much you will miss British food. I came into the country with a lot of teabags, but nothing else. When you go to your new local supermarket, you begin to realise there isn't a lot you recognise from your British supermarket. If you can (I will understand if you can't), try and pack some treats: crisps, biscuits, sweets - try to stock up or get your family to send you some. I bought some digestives the other day and the taste took me straight back to home. 

1o. Book a direct flight to your new home

The last thing you want when you move to a new location is losing your luggage. You have to think that you're entire life is in that suitcase. Although it might be slightly more expensive than a flight with stops, it is simply not worth the risk. 

11.  Think about purchasing an Iphone

Most countries will expect you to get a contract phone and as a result, it is hard to find a decent pay as you go contract. The only reason I advise getting an IPhone is because most people have them and you'll still be able to communicate with people with wifi on IMessage and FaceTime. You'll also be able to download handy apps like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype to keep in contact with your family.

12. Prepare to change. 

You're about to do something life changing and it will change your life forever. You will come to realise what really matters, who you miss and what you miss and who you don't miss at all. You suddenly realise what it is that you want and who you want to be. 

Living in a different country by yourself is probably the scariest thing someone can do. For the first time in a while, I feel like I've really started to live every day as if it was my last. 

Te Deum.

The long awaited 'what I miss' and 'what I don't miss' list.

I've been in the US for a good six weeks now and I have settled in really well. I'm so thankful that I have such supportive friends and family. 

If I'm honest I've not felt this happy in a very long time. A lot of my friends have been skyping me, saying that I look really happy and...  I am. 

I haven't felt the effects of the year abroad blues yet and according to the graph we were shown during our induction, it is supposed to hit in the next week, so watch this space. 

This time I'm going to start with the 'what I don't miss' list because I want to explain why I am a lot happier in Texas. 

Things I don't miss about home

1. British weather

The most obvious thing that has affected my mood has been the weather. The weather here is amazing and it has only rained three times since I've been here. That's 3 days in 45 - a 1/15 chance of rain rather than the 100% in Birmingham... 

Since I've been here, I've really noticed how the weather affects me and how important vitamin D is! I think when I get back to Britain, I'll take vitamin D supplements because Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) has had a huge affect on me. 

P.S. It's still 30 on most days. 

2. Cooking for yourself 

Last year, my housemates to find it hilarious that I would rotate three meals each week and maybe spice it up a little by getting a takeaway, every once in a while. It was based on very unimaginative food - pasta with cheese, tuna pasta bakes, fry ups, salads, fajitas, beans on toast - essentially anything that was quick and easy. 

My second year was beyond busy. Apart from being in a number of ensembles with the university, I was either directing an opera, learning a role for an opera or heading down to London to work with the Royal Opera House. As a result, my diet did not get any sort of priority. 

HOWEVER

This year I have a meal plan and therefore I am fed on campus everyday of the week. The food is pretty terrible, but hey! I'm not cooking, so who cares! 

3. Allergies 

'Oh my gawd, my allergies are just so bad at this time of year'. 

'Oh my gawd, mine too!' 

When I first heard this expression, all I could think was 'an allergy to what'? However, what I have discovered is that an allergy in America is what we would call 'hay-fever' back in the U.K. 

And I haven't had any. I have been 'allergy' free since I've been in Texas - there doesn't seem to be any pollen to get an allergy from. If anything, I've been perfectly healthy since I've been here - no colds, no coughs, nothing. 

4. Making British acquaintances  

Trying to make conversation with a Briton you do not know, is about as painful as this. Trying to get to know people at university takes time and it can be a really long and frustrating process. 

This is not the case if you go to a college in America. 

In America you can be sitting by yourself in the cafeteria and people will ask to sit with you. They will hold a really long conversation with you - this doesn't only include the weather, they actually have other topics to talk about! There is such a variety - what course you're studying, some cliche questions about England, politics, Texas, anything really! 

Everyone is incredibly friendly. It is really worthwhile making the effort to look good here because people will tell you if you look good! Random strangers will come up to you and say 'hey, nice dress' and that will be the end of it. 

In Britain, it's hard to get comments like that from your friends sometimes! 

5. The cost of living 

The cost of living is a lot cheaper here than in the U.K. Most American's have looked at me in horror when I have said that 'gas' is cheap here. 

A gallon is approximately $3.50 in Denton - that's 70c per litre. In other words, they are paying 40p for a litre, when we pay a mighty £1.30. 

The other night I went to a bar and I bought a double vodka and cranberry juice. In Birmingham, this would probably cost me about £6, in London probably £9. 

I paid a mighty $1.50 - £1. 

6. Easier work load 

So far the European Union (and our honourary Australian) and I have been doing our great continent a triumph by coming at the top of our class in our exams. This was a particular triumph for our Finnish member, Petri, who managed to get the top marks on his exam 'American History since 1865'. 

Hehe. He. He. 

7. Stress 

This was me. This me everyday. Am I going to get the mark I want from university? Am I going to meet this deadline? Am I going to learn this score in term? I am prepared for my recital. The American's are incredibly hardworking, but they are definitely more relaxed than the Brits and I like that it has rubbed off on me, I feel a lot better. 

8. Having a decent schedule 

I thought getting up at 7am most days was going to kill me. Most days at Birmingham I wasn't getting up before 11pm and I wasn't getting to sleep until 3-4am on most nights. I now realise it was because I had shortened my days. I had thought by staying up late I would be more productive, but I now see that is completely wrong. I have a longer day here and I get a lot more done in a day than what I ever did at Birmingham. 

This is going to change when I go back. 

Things I miss about home

1. British dairy

The dairy products have been making me feel really sick when I have been here. It is American law that all dairy products are pasteurised - as a result the cheese is artificial and if you leave milk in your mug for a day or two, it turns into jelly. 

*shudder* 

2. British politics 

There is a lot I want to say on this, but I think I will save this for another blog when I have more time. However 'dysfunctional' you think our government is, at least it isn't shutdown at the moment... 

3. Curry houses 

I haven't found a single curry house since I've been in Texas. I really could do with one in the near future, especially having lived in the curry capital of Britain - I am really starting to crave a curry fix.  

4. Bugger off mate, he was trying it on. Alright mate, need the loo. 

The English language is a wonderful thing, we have created so many new words over hundreds of years and this creativity has not stopped. However, since I've been in America, I've really noticed how many expressions are just British and are not recognised by other English speaking countries. 

Oi, I'm not telling any porky pies, so don't throw a wobbly. 

5. Not being asked on 100 dates within a week

The men are incredibly forward here, which is completely different to the reserve of most Brits. They're loving the accent here, but I am finding it overwhelming at the moment. I might need to buy a taser in the near future... 

6. Close friends and family 

Here is the soppy moment. I miss their company, but we stay in regular contact and I haven't felt homesick since I've been here. It would just be nice to have a hug every once in a while. 

7. Having things you don't need 

The life of an exchange student is minimal. Unless you decide to go on a mad spending trip when you arrive, you are limited to what you bought in your suitcase and the occasional trip to Walmart. Sometimes it's nice just have some extra clothes, something different to wear occasionally, some extra cutlery, stationery etc. 

8. Not hearing the phrase... 

OMIGOD. ARE YOU ENGLISH?

Distinct differences

So far, I've settled in quite well. My advice to anyone who decides to have a year abroad is this: 

If you don't believe that you're a foreigner, you're not a foreigner. This has kept me in good stead - the attitude I've had is that everyone here is in fact foreign and they've invaded my new university. 

However, I know that this isn't the case. Over the past few weeks I've started to pick up on things that are very different to home. 

1. Fanta 

In the U.K, Fanta is a light yellow colour - it almost looks slightly lemony. However, when I poured myself a glass in the cafeteria, I was almost blinded by the light. This light was so powerful that it could light the deepest oceans and the darkest crevasses. 

I can't even imagine what goes in it to make it such a colour... 

2. We don't do fire drills 

Well they do of course, but that's not the only drill I've had since I've been here. 

Last night we were all evacuated to the first floor to practice for a potential tornado...

You don't get many of them in Britain. 

3. This is stuck to the back of your bedroom door 

Very similar to the warning we have at Birmingham. Wouldn't you agree? 

4. People actually like the rain here... 

So I was in choir today and our choir director announced that there was going to be a 90% chance of rain. With that, the room exploded with applause and cheering. I looked around the room, stunned. If anything like that happened in Birmingham, the reaction would be 'and? It's raining now. It rained yesterday and the day before yesterday and the day before the day before yesterday...' 

5. Class is dismissed. I have a cold. 

In Texas, your occupational health teacher doesn't go off sick for the week because of a cold. In Texas, your occupational health teacher goes off sick for the week because he was bitten by a snake and ended up in intensive care for a few days. 

Luckily they got there within ten minutes, so they didn't have to amputate his ankle... 

6. You can go outside in shorts without being honked at by every driver. 

Everyone wears shorts, dresses and skirts in Texas. In the U.K, it is such a rare phenomenon for the weather to rise above -6, that drivers cannot control themselves when they see a bit of skin for the first time in years. 

7. Low end supermarkets resemble British supermarkets after a nuclear war

So I went to this supermarket the other day called 'Sack and Save'. I should have known that from the dodgy decor and the name that it was going to be rough and oh gosh, it was. 

They actually kept gone off food on the shelves, the meat section was practically empty, the fish section was dirty... it was all just a bit dirty. 

To put it bluntly, I won't be returning in a hurry. 

8. Vegetables aren't vegetables if they haven't been deep fried and smothered in salt

I currently have a food card and can eat at any cafeteria on campus, as many times as I like. However, the food is pretty poor. There are many temptations: burgers, chips, pizza, pasta etc., but there are some healthy options. However, what they don't tell you is that it is covered in salt and I really mean covered. It's made me want to gag to the extent I don't actually get any vegetables anymore. 

I hope you like obesebrybry. 

9. The Military

'Yeah I was Afghanistan for a couple of years'. 

'I was in the navy, we spent a lot of time in Japan'. 

'So I'm going to become an officer once I graduate'. 

Never in my life have I met so many people with connections to the military and for the first time I have discovered how closely connected the military is to the education system here. The military pay for your education, so providing you've been in the military at some point or are definitely joining when you leave, your tuition fees are paid for. There isn't a lot of government funding here, so I can see why people choose the military as a career path. 

10. I'm a driver and I'm not trying to kill all the pedestrians. 

The cars actually stop for people here. I'm actually concerned that no one has tried to kill me yet. I'm clearly used to some very violent British drivers... 

x