Finally here!

My first view of England from the plane

After what could only be described as a marathon day, we made it to London! We left Chicago at 5 PM Chicago time and arrived in London at 7 AM London time... which is 1AM Chicago time. No rest for the weary-- we hit the ground running: picked up our luggage, checked in, and grabbed some pounds (my first couple of times were not successful but it finally worked...sigh of relief...). Emily and I were hassled by a very unfriendly passport stamper. Maybe he was bitter because it was the 4th?

Muriel and Nicki in Paddington Station..

no time for stationary pics so it is an action shot!

We (the students) left Prof Williams in the dust (ha!) and ventured out on our own to Paddington Station and then took a series of taxi cabs to Bedford Place. We dropped off luggage and went walking around the area.

Blue skies... our taxi driver said it has been very warm, but the days ahead are rainy.

Emily, Charlotte, Jeff, Kelsey hanging on the street-- doing some people watching and wondering about what famous people we could see (Hugh Grant and Jude Law were favorites, with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow closely following)


Taxi!