THE VERY FIRST DAYS

         Hello to everyone! I arrived in London yesterday. In plane the people were middle-aged or old in general. I was sitting next to the window and I watched the land. It was like Bolu where I went to university: green, humid, cloudy and cool. When the plane landed, the first thing I noticed that "I am not a member of European Union" because we took another line an had to fill in a form like paper writing our reason to be there, where we came from, our personal information and so on. Fortunately, the officers were very nice. Then I easily could get my suitcase after waiting for shuttles and interview queues for almost half an hour. Then I got on a Terravision bus to Liverpool Street and everybody was helpful there, too. I read almost all the things about the road and London Life from blogs, so I knew that the bus ride would take approximately 55 mins. I did not want to ask the people around because I had a prejudice- as a sort of stereoype maybe- that they would not be helpful because of a kind of "help yourself" culture. Therefore, on the road I was a bit nervous since I did not know where to get off or if I should say something about where I want to get off. Fortunately we were there on time, so I did not need to worry about it. When I got off I asked a rasta-haired tourist and he told me where the Liverpool Street tube station which was very close was. I easily arrived in Bethnal Green. The first impression was how strict they were about "standing on the right" rule on the escalators. I was sweaty, tired and blushed and I did not notice the sign saying "stand on the right", and I had several warnings and had to say "Sorry". 

        After going out from the tube station, there was a long walk to the hostel. It is not that long to tell the truth but what would I feel while carrying my 3,5 kilo laptop in my backpack and a 18 kilo suitcase? :( Whatever.. Thanks to maps.google I could easily find the street where Bethnal Green student living locates. When I arrived at the reception, I was very happy. The boy was very helpful and kind, but it was hard to understand his Spanish English. Finally I could get to my room. It is very small, but it is OK. It is like my dormitory room in which I used to live when I was a university student. Howeveri the nightmare began when I understood that my vodafone sim card and my travel plug adaptor did not work. I could not call my husband and family members to tell that I arrived safe and sound. I tried to get help from the reception. They tried but they could not help me. But then I found a market very close whose owner is Turkish man from Gaziantep. He helped me alot. He offered me a Pay As You Go sim card through which I could easily call everybody in Turkey with 1 penny per minute. It was like he gave me the world. Thanks to him:) Then I tidied my room and slept at ten which was midnight in  Turkey.

        Because sleeping that early I was awake at half past five. I had my breakfast and left at seven fifteen. I took Central Line to Holborn and changed to Picadilly Line to go to Leicester Square. It was very easy to find the course which in the very heart of Leicester Square. I went to Trafalgar Square and tried the discover the surroundings. Then I came back. I met with other trainees. There were 8 trainees and three of them were from Turkey. All of the people and the course instructor Vanessa were very nice and knowledgeable. It was really fantastic to work with them. At lunch break Vanessa showed us around and I went to a wonderful Chinese Restaurant in China Town with Ulrike from Germany and Sandra from Spain. After having such delicious food we went back to the course and at half past three we were finished. I went to British Museum and Covent Garden with Haldun Teacher from Turkey who works in Mevlana University. The museum was huge and fantastic. It was so big that we could not have enough time to see all of the pieces. Then with the help of a London map we could find Covent Garden which is a big bazaar just like Kemeraltı but with some performers around and lots of tourists shopping and taking photos. I can tell that the things were expensive out there. Then I left Haldun Teacher and his friend. They would go to watch an opera performance at Royal Opera House. They told that the tickets were just 12 pounds which is very cheap, so I am really curious about whether they could find what they look for. 

          Then I took the tube from Covent Garden and changed my line at Holborn and came to Bethnal Green. I bought some food and supplies from Sainbury's Local which is very close to the exit of the tube station and which is very cheap. Then I came back to my room. I would give you details about the teaching activities I learned today, But I am really tired and now I am going to bed after trying to find some ideas about Mahatma Ghandi with which I am going to convince others in a Balloon Debate.. Ba bye till tomorrow! ;)

P.S. No worries! I took notes and I will tell all of them later;)