Wayward in Whitstable.

One week later, one post later. I'm on a roll. Dang, I miss sushi rolls.

There were many moments to be had this past week, but an unfortunate case of the "Fresher's Flu" warranted an unexpected few days in bed. Thankfully its nothing more than a bad cold, but it did mean that any new person I met was the recipient of what sounded like a prepubescent boy's voice.

Before the cold struck, I did get myself into what I consider to be a right of passage for anybody studying abroad; getting completely lost in an unknown city. Now, please bear in mind (Nani) that I was with a group of capable young ladies and gents. And I'm safe and sound in my room. I also understand that these stories are often under the "had to be there" category, but allow me to attempt to make this a somewhat-comedic narrative...
*Note, all statements in italics are meant to be read in a sarcastic-sassy Cam voice, and are to be finished with the face that people affectionately call, the Dolphin Face.

11:50am: Five of us brave souls catch the first bus of the day into the seaside coast of Whistable. 11 pounds for an all day pass.

Good morning Canterbury! Ahhh, beautiful view of the Cathedral. How blessed are we?!

12:30pm: Arrive in Whistable. 

Wow! This place is super pretty! Let's take a group pic and show everyone how happy we are to be here!

Goodness, just look at those sweet little sailboats. 

What could make this moment better? A nice cup of coffee. What a perfect way to continue a perfect morning!!

We've got all the time in the world! *FORESHADOW* I need to capture this precious English looking house on Beach Walk!

Would you look at that?! We just happened to stumble across a castle! Just our luck!

Could this town be any cuter? Lets all talk about how we would decorate our own beach bungalo, without  a care in the world!

Ahhh. We lucked out with this spot! What a hidden gem!

By golly, a local told us where to get the best fish n chips in town! Lets relax on this patio and talk about what a great day this has been!

3:30pm:

Whats that? Someone saw another castle on the other side of the cliff? The last bus from Whitstable leaves for Canterbury at 6:30, but it should only take about 3o minutes to walk to the castle. We'll be totally fine to make it back in time!

We can walk at a leisurely pace, right? I have time to take a super artsy pic of my shoes in front of the beach, right? Isn't life just grand?

2 Hours Later...

Crap. That took  longer than expected. What do you mean we are 3 miles outside of Whitstable and its 5:45pm? But I mean, look at this gorgeous old ruin of a church we found. Worth it. 

I'm feeling so great, I may even take a selfie to commemorate the occasion! We'll never make it back in time to catch the bus but at least we're having a nice moment at the top of this cliff, amiright?

Alas! There just happens to be a bus stop at the top of this cliff and it picks up here once a day at 6:07?! Just our luck! We may make it out of here after all!

45 minutes later.

Alright. This bus ain't coming. 

Study abroad, they said. You'll have the time of your life, they said.

5 minutes later.

Whats that I hear? The undeniable sound of gasoline being emitted into the atmosphere? It sounds like a bus coming to our rescue!

Wow, guys. That was a close call! What was your favorite part of the day? Now that we know we are getting home lets just pretend like we didn't just totally misjudge how much time it would take to walk to the castle and reminisce on our great day!

7:30pm:

Alright. This bus has been going for a while. Oh well, scenic route I guess!

7:45pm:

The bus driver kindly informs us that the bus we were on takes a route that is FOUR HOURS back to Canterbury. Instead, he suggests dropping us off at a bus stop in Ramsgate, where the bus will be waiting to take us right to Canterbury.

Perfect! We think to ourselves. Wow, this bus driver was so kind to help us out. Imagine if we were on this bus for 4 hours!

8pm:

Arrive at bus station in Ramsgate. Ask the locals! The bus driver says as he drives away. They always know more than the bus drivers do! 

After asking the locals in our vecinity when the next bus to Canterbury is set to arrive, no one seems to know of such a bus existing. A quick glance at the bus schedule informs us that the last bus to Canterbury left hours ago. At this point we are hungry, freezing cold, all of our phones are dying, and we have absolutely no idea where we are or how to get back to Canterbury. We were just at the point of starting to research local hostels to stay at in the area, having no hope that Kent was in our near future.

Well.

Thank the good Lord for technology. One of us had a spare phone battery where we were able to use Google Maps to map out a route home. Sure, we probably used up 40 dollars of international data fees, and sure, the journey entailed 3 different buses and two hours time. But better than 4 hours on a bus, right? .....Right?

8:15pm:

After loading up on coffee and stale muffins(at the only restaurant that was open near the bus stop which, mind you, was closing in 3 minutes), we hopped onto the bus, praying it was right. The air was thick with tension and the cheerful, italicized spirit that we all once shared had quickly turned.

10:30pm

2 hours and 4 bus stops later...we had arrived in Canterbury.

Whats funny about this whole experience is that it struck us that suddenly, Canterbury was our safe haven. It was a strange feeling to feel like Canterbury was our home base, the place we wanted to get back to more than anything. Because it really is starting to feel familiar and comfortable, this little slice of English heaven of ours!

Hopefully you enjoyed this little peek into a typical day of life in another country...because the 5 of us are headed to Paris this weekend and Lord knows what kind pickles we'll get ourselves into there...

Canterbury Cam.

Look who's baccckkk....

Minor life update: I'm a single Senior living in England for 3 months. Does that about cover it?

As many of you know, I haven't been in much of a writing mood as of late. I have always used this blog as a means to entertain, placing my weirdo-lens on all of the random, exciting, and straight up bizzare things that have happened to me in the last couple of years. Well as it turns out, other parts of life--and I mean the messy, and confusing tangled ball of yarn parts of life, happen sometimes too. And for the first time, I wasn't able to spin a situation and make it funny. I couldn't laugh at myself, or find little moments of comedy and joy in the everyday, let alone recap them for a blog. I have spent the last 5 months processing, healing, questioning, doubting, but most importantly learning what my life looks like from here on out. And when I find myself having no idea how to answer that question, its time to say, Screw it. I'm going to England.

And here I am.

I packed up my rain jacket and left the resentment. I bought a plane ticket and threw out my expectations. I said yes to adventure and no to control. I'm embracing rising strong from a tough time and denying the power of one experience define the rest of my life. I'm opening the door to a new season hoping to close the door on the last.

Those of you who have spent any time in another country know that every day you're there has potential to be a 100-page novel. I have been here for 6 days and already have no idea where to start. So let's take a gander through some ol' photographs and see what I've been up to:

Right after dropping my bags off at the hotel in London, I turned the corner and saw this beauty. I have no idea what she is but right away I was sold. 

As I walked my jet-lagged self around London, I then spent a few hours in this free war museum--literally, there was a floor for every war.

During our two-day orientation in London we were required to do a scavenger hunt. This was my group...the most eclectic group of friends you ever did see;)
Task 1: Take a picture of a red phone booth

Task 2: Find BIG BEN. I kind of couldn't believe that he was there, just chilling in the London rain.

...and that's as many tasks as we completed. Hunger struck and when it struck, it struck hard. I experienced my first ever meat pie and "chips", and a few hours (and ciders...) later, we were 30 minutes late getting back. Needless to say we didn't win the scavenger hunt.

First dinner at University of Kent. We tried their take on Mexican food, and what the lack in flavor they make up in political correct-ness...

First full day in Canterbury and we found ourselves in a slooow foood cafe (which I'm already planning on taking Omi to when she visits). It ended up being delicious! Also where I had my first "spot of tea"!

This is the entrance to what's called the "White Friyer" (or something) part of Canterbury. Not picured in the left-hand side of this building is a full club and bar! Also where I tried my first English beer. *not impressed*

Yes, all the houses actually look like this. And its magical.

Having a hipster moment...

"The Unicorn" . Tried going there last night for a friends birthday and quickly learned that Sunday's at Pubs are reserved for Sunday roast and pub quizes only. How cute is that?

Apparently there's a river that runs through Canterbury. Gondola rides and all (do they still call it that here?)

Now this picture just cracks me up. The birthday boy enjoy some late night, post-pub crawl greasy pizza...and all his new gal pals.

A glimpse of my campus on a gloomy Monday. I'm loving the rain but something tells me I'll be over it in about a week.

So there you have it! Its been a busy few days across the pond. While this picture of  UKC may look calm...the Freshers Welcome Week here has been anything but. The only way I can describe it is every parent's worst nightmare about dropping their kids off at college come to life. On move-in day the orientation leaders were promoting a "Freshers Bar Crawl" across the not one, but four bars on campus...enough said. 

Coming up soon: watch as #canterburycam attempts to take on the LondonBuck(-et List) that Taylor dared her with months back.