A few differences.

A few quirky cultural differences I've experienced over here, for today:

-There are condom dispensers in almost every campus restroom. (Ooh, and restrooms are just labeled "toilets." So literal.) Durex. For two pounds you can get a pack of six regular condoms, or two "ribbed for pleasure." You don't see that in the states! Just some weird brand dispenser in the laundry room that's constantly sold out. The English seem to be far more relaxed on the subject of sex in general- the topic is hardly ever met with embarrassment here, I've noticed.

-During my orientation at Elizabethtown, they kept us quite busy with activities that aimed to dissuade us from drinking. Here at Uni Gloucestershire, there is a student bar on every campus! That would be four student bars. I've also been to two orientation events that offered up to two free drinks to each student! So bizarre. 

-Today was the Fresher's Fayre, which is organized for all of the freshmen to see all of the activities they can get involved in while at university. What we didn't realize was that:

1. We would get TONS of free swag.

2. There would be more people crammed in there than in the club last night.

3. We would be talked into coming to London for a ridiculously cheap celebrity makeover, then check with security to see if the vender was legit. She was, thank goodness.

At Elizabethtown we were met solely with the clubs and organizations supported and run by the college. Here in Cheltenham, there were stands from just about every club and bar in town handing out promotions, which ranged from passes for free admission to cowboy hats to Stella Artois beer mugs to chocolate cake. I signed up to win money, get on mailing lists, etc. I also signed up for the Equestrian Club (cheap riding lessons, yay!) and Amnesty International. Sports are for other people.

I can't see we've been experiencing culture shock, more like culture delight! Everything is so different here. At Elizabethtown or in my hometown, there is nothing around. Absolutely nothing. Here, I'm ten minutes' walk from tons of clubs, bars, restaurants and shops, and for 50 pence I can take a bus into the next city over and explore everything there. There is so much to do here that it's ridiculous, and I'm loving it.

I'll update later with what I've been up to, and include some pictures of some of the places I've been. Now it's time to go grocery shopping.

PS- A Music Note: The Decemberist's cover of Joanna Newsom's "Bridges and Balloons" is just too beautiful.

PPS-Today is my wonderful mother's 44th birthday! Happy birthday Mommy!! I love you!