Trip To London

As January 3rd approaches, there are many different expectations, questions, and concerns about my trip to London. I have only traveled outside of the United States twice in my life. Both times that I stepped out of my comfort zone I was accompanied by my father so I never really felt that I was away from home. I hope that this trip helps me grow as both a student and a traveler, but most of all, as a person.

While I am very excited to see the different history and attractions London has to offer, my greatest concern is my English 300 course. I have heard that this can be a difficult course to take if you do not put enough time into your writing. So long as I can manage my time efficiently, I know that I can have a great time while learning to grow as a writer in the process.

Another big fear I have about visiting London is that I will stick out as a tourist. I actually took a J-term course in Cairo, Egypt last year, so I have an idea of how great the culture shock can be from one country to the next. I am still very nervous as to how I should act around the citizens of London. Although London and the United States are both English speaking countries, there are still many different slang terms that can be taken the wrong way if used in the wrong context. If there's one thing I learned while in Egypt, it is that tolerance and patience can go a long way.

With only two weeks to experience all that London has to offer, I have been asking and researching the different places to go. My little sister actually traveled to London last year, so I asked her what she liked most about her visit. She said if I could only go one place while I'm there I should visit Piccadilly Circus. She told me that there were many great plays at an affordable price. Although I am not a huge fan of plays, I think it would be very neat to see a play in London just so I could say I have. There's also supposed to be lines of restaurants, pubs, and theaters located in this area. She also made a point to tell me that I should watch out for some of the food in London. Not only is the food expensive, but it all tastes very bland.

After speaking with some of