Getting up to speed

Okay, I've been terrible about posting over the past week, and I am hereby making a promise to do better. I think it will help me to move forward by skipping over my Switzerland adventures (temporarily) and discussing what's going on now. Then, I will slowly back-track to fill in some pictures and reflections on my previous travels. And now I have a plan!

Sneaky Sara, wearing 3 coats

I traveled from Switzerland into London on a RyanAir flight on Monday, March 23 (ironically the same date I arrived here on a class trip in 2013). Alex and Michelle kindly dropped me off at the airport, and Michelle even stayed to make sure I made it through check-in. I was pushing the restrictions on my baggage weight limits (as a cheapo airline, they don't give you much weight/space), so I was wearing literally three coats and heavy sweaters (pictured to the right). I dropped my bags without a problem and then had to say goodbye to Michelle. The goodbye was bearable only because I know I will be seeing her again soon.


My flight was just over an hour, and like always, I fell straight off to sleep. I don't know what it is about plane rides that puts me right out!

Once on the ground, I made it through Immigration (mostly without incident), found my way towards baggage claim, collected my luggage (stuffing my extra coats into a rolling suitcase), and then headed towards the exits. I opted to take a coach to Liverpool Street Station--as it was my cheapest options--where my friend, Marianne was going to meet me! Seeing her smiling face as I dismounted the bus was the best part of the day by far. It was especially wonderful to have her help getting my bags home on the bus.

Over the past few days, I've settled in nicely. I'm staying with Janet, a former colleague shall we say (?), at her lovely home in South-Central London. It's located just below the South Bank of the Thames around the corner from a Tube Station, and about a 15 minute walk to Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Waterloo and Covent Garden. Janet left for a business trip the day after I arrived, so I've had the place to myself to play music and sing around the house as I cook, take care of laundry, and plan my next adventures.

I've gotten really into cooking! The mess at the end of preparation

Kale Quinoa Salad & Garlic, Wine Shrimp Dish

The highlights of my first week back have been related to the people and things that made my last few months so special: An incredible evening run, chasing the setting sun across the Thames, past Trafalgar Square, through St James Park and by Buckingham Palace--knowing that I could get myself home without a map or GPS.
Going into the Vodafone store to set up my phone again (sounds weird, but hear me out), and being welcomed by the staff members who remembered me from the fall.

I took the time to take one quick photo on Wednesday evening's run

Walking miles and miles to shops and parks and sites (and on Wednesday, to 8 grocery stores in search of quinoa and black beans... seriously London, why don't you sell so many basic ingredients?!!).

Tuesday evening was perhaps the most special thus far. I was a bit stressed as the afternoon wore on. I rushed out the door to Westminster Tube Station (passing a gorgeous sunset on the river) and took the train west to Chiswick where Marianne and many of my other friends live. Marianne cooked a delicious dinner, which we sat and ate with some of my other favourite people. We spent the night catching up, eating, laughing, and playing ridiculous games. When I was walking home just before midnight, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. Two thoughts were running through my mind on repeat:
I am so, so, so lucky to be here. 
I cannot wait to see where the next four months lead!