They say that a child will soak up just about everything the first few years of its life; language, habits, activities and even personality. After about a week in London I feel as if I'm a child all over again. I've had to get use to quite a different way of living. The door knobs are either too high or low on the door, the flusher on the toilet is on the other side, as is the traffic, the drinking age is 18, people don't talk on the tube and even more, seem to think you're crazy if you smile to them whilst walking to class. Even the language, which is the same English we speak in America is slightly different. Today for instance, I learned what a "Yorky filled with Faggots" was (A soft pie with meat). There's also chips (fries), crisps (chips), bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes), Spotted Dick (a pudding) and the actual fact that it's very hard to find an actual cup of coffee at Starbucks.
I love all the cultural differences. For the first time in a very long time I find that I am not part of the majority and I want to simply burrow deep into the local culture. While there is some truth to the "stiff upper lip" stereotype most English people have been extremely welcoming and open. While looking around the London Eye and Big Ben with Rebecca and Olivia we found ourselves deep in conversation with a security guard who was guarding the eye about how he felt about his country and the city London.
I've always accepted that my hometown was a bubble. BU is a bit of a bubble but it took me until London to see that America acts like a bubble to me. Other people are out in the world, and there is so much more. Adventure is waiting!
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