Arrival

I flew Jet Airways (an Indian company) from Newark to Brussels, sitting next to a very nice older Indian woman.  The PA system announcements were given in Hindi, English, and French.  For the layover in Brussels I bought 20 EUR and used it to purchase Starbucks and a bottle of water --  Both expensive, but at the moment well worth the price.  It struck me how much I enjoy visiting french-speaking countries.  It's such a flowing, pretty language, and I wish I could understand it better.

The connecting flight from Brussels to Bristol was ADORABLE -- two seats one side, one on the other, and larger carry-ons had to be stowed.  Beautiful views of Bristol countryside during descent.  There were no issues at the border or customs despite some concerns over the incomplete visa application linked to my passport.

The Kingswood Estate

I arrived at Kingswood estate and was introduced to Sam Astill who gave me my room/house keys.  It's a cozy room in a small, on-site housing unit (see pictures).  I met some roommates: Seamus, Sweta, and Sophie -- all second-year aerialists.  They took me around campus showing me the various spaces.

We went downtown on 42 bus to do some necessary shopping, they warned me of how the Foundation Tech class is -- tons and tons of physical training.  There was to be a Fitness Test the next day (deserving of capitals), which they told me is agony.  I must push myself to extremes to set a good benchmark for improvement.  In actuality, the fitness test was not so bad (this time).

The jet lag has been funny.  I was tired earlier, probably because my body had seen the trip and first day as one long all-nighter (after staying up for almost all of the flight over the Atlantic).  If I can stay up to a reasonable time tonight and wake up early tomorrow, I should beat it quickly.