Trains, Planes, And Automobiles

For those that know me, I'm not the best flier in the world. I hate being crammed into a tiny seat surrounded by people who seem to be handpicked by the powers that be to annoy me. This flight however was a different story. Firstly I picked a window seat right at the back. This prevented any possibility of a child kicking my seat for the next 8 hours. It also limited neighbouring elbows to one, rather than two. As I boarded, (last minute of course as the bar was right next to our gate) I noticed the smallest people in the world had claimed the leg room seats. I have never seen anyone over 6 foot in these seats in all my years flying. I was pleasantly surprised however at how much space I had for my own legs. For once they were not pushed up tight against the seat in front. I also, for the first time, had my own touch screen TV with a large choice of films to choose from. It turned out to be the best flight I've ever had. Oh, and we got plenty of free food and drink. As I said, best flight ever.

Things then became a bit touch and go at customs when I was told that I had been given the wrong visa. There was a slight drop in my stomach but the Officer re-assured me that it wasn't my fault. I was told to follow him to a room and wait to be called. This room was not as well looked after as the rest of the airport. It was a horrible, little, grotty room that I had to sit in for 30 minutes whilst they tapped away at their computer. The room was just like something out of the films. Very few of my fellow rejects spoke much English, the seats were torn with foam falling out of the wound, and a tiny square television playing baseball was hidden in the top corner. The first thing I noticed was how laid back the officers were. There was no running around, and certainly no threat of getting their work done quickly. Everything seemed to be at their own pace. As I said, all was fixed after 30 minutes or so. I also saw a cleaner walking around with her cart, yet never actually saw her clean - odd.

I am now sat on a train from Newark Airport to Hartford in Connecticut. Again, the trains here seem far superior to our own, despite their vulgar, bulky build. The seats are large and comfortable, and again, have leg room in abundance. I'm already starting to like it here. From Hartford, me and my fellow travellers, Ricky and Hope, have to get a taxi to our hotel. Hopefully we won't be ripped off once they hear our 'top of the morning' British accents. At our hotel is where we will find our final hurdle, for today at least. Hope didn't get her Visa until the last minute and therefore her arrangements were very last minute. When she tried to book a room, they refused as she wasn't yet 21 years old. I may have to use some British charm to upgrade mine and Ricky's room up to a 3 man room to prevent her sleeping in the gutter for the night. Just to add to it all, Ricky is suffering from Man-Flu, and Hope with the softer, female equivalent. If I catch whatever it is, I will not be happy.

Tomorrow is when we move into our halls of residence and meet our roommates. We got the e-mail address of our 'roomie' 3 weeks ago, and despite contacting him, I have yet to receive a reply. God knows what I will be greeted with tomorrow morning. Hopefully they won't me sweaty, and/or messy. Keep your fingers crossed for me please.

I was pleased to hear that Blackburn Rovers had claimed their second win of the season, whilst Burnley suffered back to back defeats. I may not be in the country, but I will be following it all online.