Day 31: Heading Home!

We all got picked up at 5:30AM from a mini-bus... in which we literally crammed all of our luggage in, and we could barely fit ourselves! Our driver was very helpful in throwing all of our stuff in... we couldn't have done it without him. After an emotional goodbye with Segolene, we were off to Heathrow! Once we got there, our very energetic driver would yell (very loudly) out at anyone possible, "Hey dude! Where's Terminal 3?!" It was hilarious!

At the airport!

When we all got to Terminal 3, we said our goodbyes and parted ways :( However, when we got inside, we got some good news! Alex, Dayna, and I were on the same flight to Toronto! It was all really confusing because Alex and I were supposed to be on Lufthansa and then United, but ended up on Air Canada the whole way?

Oh well, it all worked out! My luggage BARELY made the limit... it was like 24.6 kg and the limit is 25. I was sooo lucky. I thought for sure I would have to pay the excess weight fee!

That's just my carry-on baggage! Finally, something with wheels :)

On the way to Toronto, I got a bit of sleep, watched The Back-up Plan and part of How to Train a Dragon. I guess the guy sitting next to me knew the pilot, so at one point the pilot was standing in the aisle next to me just chatting away! I was like uhhh... aren't you supposed to be flying a plane right now?

When we got to Toronto, Dayna had to part ways with us because she had a really tight connection to make. Alex and I were able to take our time, and at one point I wasn't paying attention and at the last second I saw my luggage on the track and this woman rescued it for me! It was nice of her :) When I got it on the ground there was a bright orange tag on it that said "HEAVY"... whoops!

We went through customs, which was relatively easy, and then we had to go through security again, which was way more intense! We even had to do a body scan. It was just bizarre because we had gone through security, been on a plane, and went right into the airport again... so I'm not sure why we needed to go through such intense security again, but oh well!

Heading home.

As if a 4 hour layover in Toronto wasn't enough, our flight got delayed too! So finally, at 6:15, we landed in Kansas City. Whew! It's really kind of bittersweet to be home. On one hand, it's really nice to spend time with family and friends, but on the other hand, London was one of the best experiences I've ever had, so it's really hard to let go of it!

Alex and I were travel buddies!

Finally, as promised, here is the list of all of the British/American differences I found while in London! I kept track of them in my little pink notebook throughout the trip. When Tony took us to Scotland, I began "the little pink book." He became very aware of the differences between British English and American English because I would take out my "little pink book" anytime there was a difference. At our final dinner, he said he would remember me forever by my "little pink book!"

fringe (bangs)
rubbish bin (trash can)
hubbly bubblies (hookah)
chips (fries)
crisps (chips)
jumper (sweater)
engaged (occupied... i.e. the bathroom is engaged)
vest (tank top)
waistcoat (vest)
dungaree (overalls)
carton of drink (juice box)
playsuit (romper)
are you okay? (how are you?)
apples and pears (stairs)
cheers (an informal thank you)
beep (honk)
click your fingers (snap your fingers)
queue (line)
jacket potato (baked potato)
prawns (shrimp)
take away (take out)
filet (they pronounce the t)
hendo & stagdo (bachelorette & bachelor parties)
game over (Curtis's way of saying "finished" or "done")
lift (elevator)
chemist (pharmacist)
trousers (pants)
pants (panties)
smart (well-dressed)
nappy (diaper)
marks (academic grades)
petrol (gas)
aeroplane (just spelled differently...)
boot (trunk of car)
bonnet (hood of car)
ice lolly (popsicle)
biscuit (cookie)
candyfloss (cotton candy)
loo (informal version of bathroom... but really they would ask "where is the toilets?")
you lot (you all, you guys, etc)
plaster (band-aid)
quid (slang for "pound")
"revise" for a test (study, prepare for, etc)
college (junior and senior years of high school)
air con (AC)
touch wood (knock on wood)
jab (shot)
row (argument)
bloke/chap (guy)
motorway (highway)
jelly (jello)
jam (jelly)
banger (sausage)
have a lie-in (sleep in)
way out (exit... on all of the signs it says "way out" instead of "exit")
knackered/whacked (exhausted)
left luggage (baggage check)
give way (yield)
half eight (8:30)
zed (the letter "z")
tick (a check mark)
trainers (sneakers)
pavement (sidewalk)
noughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe)
braces (suspenders)
number plate (license plate)
tap (faucet)
torch (flashlight)
rubber (eraser)
C.V. (Curriculum Vitae) (resume)

As one final thought: I know that I have said it before, but it is unfathomable to imagine how truly thankful I feel to have had this experience. The Fulbright Commission and Roehampton University were some of the most accommodating people to work with, and they truly had it in their interests to show us the best possible time in London, Scotland, and Belgium. While I have learned so much through volunteering in a school, and through the academic program, I have also had a great deal of fun sightseeing around London, and making connections with 7 other wonderful people. Although it is quite sad to be done with this journey, it is definitely one that I will always look back on with nothing but fond memories. This trip has been an eye-opening experience for me and has filled me with an urge to grasp onto every bit of knowledge that I can and to take every opportunity I can to travel abroad in the future. Cheers!