Jet lag is one of the worst parts about travel. Especially when you travel across the world to a completely new country and get in around 6:00 A.M. For me that country is Britain. Elegant and historical, yet somewhat modern. The glow of bustling lights shine off the wet pavement as I stood outside of the airport waiting for my cab. A little over seven hours ago I was back in my home town of Gibraltar in good ol' Michigan. I kissed my family and friends goodbye for a year and jumped onto a plane headed overseas. I grab my dirty blonde hair into a ponytail to keep it up and out of the way.
A small yellow cab pulls up in front of me, I shuffle my bags over to the trunk as a short balding man waddles his way to me.
"Miss Carabella I presume," he grabs my bags up and shoves them into the trunk.
"Thanks." I murmur under my breath and make my way to the back seat. The cab smells of stale beer and cheap cigarettes.
"Where to?" The man asks as he shuffles into the driver's seat.
"Mayweather university please." I say quietly.
"Got it. How was your flight? I've never been over to America. I've heard it's a lot different from how it is here. Are most Americans how they appear on the Telly? I presume they are mostly fat though." He rambled on for the whole ride. From all the movies and TV shows to the newspaper, he tells me all about his image of what America is like. I only mumble in agreement or disagreement to what he said, though my mind is elsewhere. We pass landmarks like the Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. This will be my home until my year abroad is over. The only thing on my mind, though, was sleep.
We pulled into the stone gates outside the university. As we neared the dorms, peaks of the buildings could be seen through the trees and bushes. Brick here, stone there. When we reached the roundabout in front of the dorm, the whole building stood mighty with its stone entryways and brick face that was littered with ivy. It looked like it jumped right out of the pages of a book.
I stepped out of the cab and drank on the sights of the university. This is England, I thought.
The cab driver staggered over to the trunk, struggling to get the luggage out. As soon as he managed to get the bags, he takes his money and waddles off mumbling under his breath about Americans. I chuckle as I made my way up the steps. Taking a deep breath, I swing open the cast iron doors.
The smell of apples and cinnamon hit my nose. Warm and inviting. The entryway was open with a grand staircase, dead center. Archways were on either side. A slim middle aged woman walks down the stairs.
"Welcome Miss Carabella!" She takes my hand and shakes it briefly. "I'll give you the run down as we make it to your room!" Her thick British accent hung to her words. "Come come." She turns on her heels and heads up the stairs. I grab up all my bags and hustle up behind her.
"This is a coed dorm. There are men and woman on each floor, but you all have your own bathroom so it is not an issue. We have a kitchen downstairs to your left. A fridge and freezer but be aware of leaving unattended food. It will be consumed. Laundry is in the basement. The great room is to the right downstairs." She walks to room 129 and unlocks it. There is a large bed bear of sheets. To the left of the bed is a door which goes to the in suite bathroom. To the right is a large dresser and closet. A desk faces the wall opposite the bed. A large window overlooking the courtyard lines the back wall.
"This is amazing!" I smile and set my bags on the bed. The woman smiles back kindly. "I'll let you get settled. My name is Mrs. Lavery. Let me know if you need anything." She sets the key down on the desk and leaves.
Sighing, I flop down on the bed and call my mom.
After a warm shower, I make myself presentable and head down to the great room. The room was set with couches and pool tables. A large TV hung on the interior wall. I eye for a small corner to sit down and read. The room was empty except for a stone dog that sat beneath the TV. I cozy up into an arm chair and open my book.
YOU ARE READING
The Crazy American
RomanceRose Carabella, a sophmore in college decides to move to England to start a new journey. To her much surprise she trips and falls in love with a man named Elliot. England was proving more than she bargined for.
