Don’t eat the curry!!!

Leaving is such a bitter sweet feeling! I have so much unknown to look forward to and everything I’ve ever known to look back on.  As I close the “college” chapter of my life and move on to bigger and better things I have a new sense of direction and a little kick in my step!

First mission: International Internship
Location: London
Internship: PR, Marketing, and Communication

I have never been a fan of traveling, driving, flying, etc.  I get horrible motion sickness and it never ends well.  I had an amazing time in Seattle with my boyfriend Adam and it was really hard to leave, especially knowing I was leaving for 3 months!  Luckily, he is planning a trip out to London to visit and I couldn’t be more excited!   The flight from Seattle to London Heathrow sounded like the best option, it was one of the only flights I could find that was direct and an overnight flight.  I thought I would be able to get some sleep, rest up and explore London when I arrived! NOPE!

First of all, the plane was the biggest plane I had ever seen.  It was bigger than my house, and a bunch of other houses combined.  It made me feel so small.  Until I got to my seat.  Of course I didn’t get the window seat and I was stuck in the middle.  I sat between these two gentlemen, chaps, as they called themselves, who were reading when I came in.  I was so nervous I couldn’t help but start talking with out consent from either of them.  They ended up being really nice and we talked most of the flight.  It’s safe to say I shared a strange experience with them that will be told to all of their colleagues Monday morning. They told me all about the underground, the buses, the nicest places to eat, the places to avoid and all the exciting things I was in for!  They were both pretty sarcastic and we were all laughing for the majority of the flight!  When dinner time came we had the option between lasagna and chicken curry.  Liam (by the window) ordered his meal first, he went with the lasagna, Charles (aisle seat) made a comment of that being risky.  With that, I immediately ordered the chicken, and Charles ordered chicken too.

Not long after dinner I got up and moved around, stretched a bit and went back to my seat.  I finally started to fall asleep with a little help from Tylonel PM.  An hour later I awoke feeling very nauseous and uneasy.  I got up and went to the bathroom thinking my dinner was coming back up.  I sat in the bathroom a while, ended up falling asleep until the flight attendant knocked and asked if I was okay.  I answered yes and realized I had been sleeping in the bathroom for a while and then went back to my seat.  Fell back asleep, woke back up, fell asleep again, woke up again, every time feeling a little sicker.  I finally woke up and knew it was coming, I looked at Charles who was dead asleep as it started coming up.  I started tapping on his arm afraid to open my mouth.  He woke up startled and jumped out of the way.  I ran to the back of the plane, more like sprinted, as the bathroom door opened, a rather larger man stepped out, and I nearly pushed him out of the way before throwing up chicken curry all over.  Luckily he left the seat up and the majority of it went in the bowl… but there was still cleaning up to do.  Note to self: Never eat chicken curry again.

We were only about 2 hours from London, Charles was wide awake and retelling his experience of me throwing up, practicing to tell his co-workers on Monday.  The flight attendants brought breakfast around, and at this point there was no way I could eat it.  I skipped breakfast, but saved the muffin in my purse in case I would be hungry later.  We flew over Windsor Palace and had an amazing view.  At this point Liam offered his seat to me so I could see the views as we flew in.  Windsor Palace was absolutely beautiful! I was amazed at how big it was! Heathrow airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, so we spun in 4 circles before landing.  At this point I thought I was going to have another chicken curry episode!

Welcome to England!

We finally landed!  Charles grabbed my bag from the overhead bin and carried it out for me! I walked with Charles and Liam until customs and then we went our separate ways.  They were very nice and I was glad I got to sit by such entertaining men! I got held up at the border which I figured, because my work visa hadn’t come in yet so they had to do a background search and make sure I was getting my visa.  I waited about an extra hour for that all to pan out.  Finally they let me through and I went to baggage claim to claim the biggest bag on the plane… did I mention it didn’t have rollers and I actually had to carry it? Well over 50 lbs, and not an easy traveler.  Couldn’t take the escalators, had to take the “lifts.” Finally got on board the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station.  Once I got to Paddington Station I was squared away! All I would have to do is grab a taxi and go to my new home for the next 3 months!

Round trip airfare: $1,140
Heathrow Express: £22
Taxi: £16
This place is expensive!