Welcome to Wales!

Hi Everyone!
I apologise for not writing sooner! After another trip across the ocean, I’m back in Europe. This time my travels have brought me to the UK! It is almost surreal to say this as the UK has topped my travel list for as long as I can remember! I am now in a city called Swansea studying at Swansea University. I am about three hours west of London by train.

I’m living in a university residence townhouse with 9 other people. It is quite an international house with 4 Americans, 3 Welsh, 2 British and of course me representing Canada. Everyone has been very helpful to those of us who just arrived.

Bikes are not nearly as popular here as they were in Finland. You see the odd one, but they are certainly not the primary mode of transportation for students. I have now paid an arm and a leg for a bus pass, but the buses here seem to have frequent service. The buses also cover a wide service area so I will be able to take some day trips (in fact I took one to Mumbles today... stay tuned for a post about that trip!)

I cannot say that I would give a high grade to the weather here so far. We’ve had a few days of sun and a few days of rain. Last night it snowed... for me this was of course devastating. Wales is supposed to be my warm climate! Guess I will just have to wait for spring.

The biggest contributor to my culture shock so far has certainly been that vehicles drive on the other side of the road. I always feel as though the bus is going to drive into oncoming traffic. Knock on wood, this hasn't happened. In Canada as you have likely notice even when walking, we tend to stick to the right side. Here I simply cannot figure it out. People seem to just walk wherever they please. Maybe there is a system that I have yet to figure out.

Queuing. People here love to line up. I will use waiting for the bus as an example. At Brock when a bus arrives everyone waiting will crowd around the door. Here, everyone lines up single file and waits patiently for the bus to park, this also allows room for people to exit the bus.

Check back soon for my post about Mumbles and of course a picture post!