So I went to London. A LOT happened, and I’m exhausted. So I’m not going to write about it now. But I will!
Trip to Tintagel. The wind and my camera speakers didn’t get along well.
I took my first solo trip into town today. It was hot out and really busy, but I finally found Gandy Street (aka the inspiration for Diagon Alley). This city is a strange combination of modern noise and bustle and pollution and construction and then there, almost slipping by you, is a rundown stone house, a storybook pub, or an ancient church.
Speaking of finding things, after a few passes down the Fore Street, I found the little alley that leads to Bookcycle. It was right next to The House That Moved, whatever that is. This was another very Diagon Alley-ish area. There were cobblestones and everything. Bookcycle is this really cool little secondhand bookshop that gives you (up to three per day) donated books in return for a “donation.” If you wanted to, you could even take books for free. They give half of the money they make to developing countries and the other half is used to plant trees in England (maybe just around Devon?). Currently, they are collecting books for children in Ghana.
I bought Jane Eyre and To the Lighthouse, because they were slim (perfect for traveling!), the copy of Jane Eyre has a ridiculous painting on the cover, AND I DIDN’T BRING ANY BOOKS WITH ME. I think I got a little too excited about the whole thing.
Next time on A Broad in Exeter. The Broad buys the entire Harry Potter series over again so she can have the British set of covers.
I’ve been in Exeter for almost 24 hours. After a seven hour plane ride and a four hour shuttle (with lots of wait time in between everything), enduring sore arms from attempting to haul my luggage around, and trying to think through a sleep and Melatonin induced haze, I somehow climbed up to my room and still managed to make it through an entire day. There isn’t much to say yet except WOW, I’M IN A CITY. WHERE PEOPLE SPEAK ENGLISH EXCEPT OCCASIONALLY THEY SAY THINGS LIKE SALAD WHEN THEY REALLY MEAN LETTUCE AND THERE’S AN AWKWARD MOMENT WHEN I’M ORDERING A SANDWICH FROM SUBWAY. I’m still trying to get comfortable enough in my room to feel like I can start to find my way around or start any sort of routine. A nice blanket, for example, would be great. Also, hot water in the shower. Right now, I have brunch with Professor Heidt and the other Kenexers and a BIG shopping trip to look forward to. As long as I don’t somehow get lost. (But I guess that wouldn’t be so bad.) P.S. The TSA took my delicious orange and mint toothpaste. 
