I can admit, I was not prepared

I don't know if this is going to be any good, but I'll have a go, as they say. "They" also say that to start a blog you should have a purpose, an outline, some plan of what you're going to talk about. Me being in a different country probably isn't going to cut it. Especially if I want anyone to read it. So let's start with all of the ways in which I was not prepared to move to this country:

1. I had nowhere to live.
Sorted that out after a week and a half, but still.

2. I did not bring the correct attire.
As Beth would put it, I packed for a tropical vacation. Lots of tshirts, didn't leave out the swimming suit, but nothing more than light hoodies and ONE sweater. Lucky for me, I was slightly more prepared for the trend that is present in America, but running rampant here: tights and boots. See below:

But please don't think this is a dresses only situation. Nor is it limited to boots such as these. Any form of Uggs or Ugg impostors is also acceptable. And for tops, anything that probably covers your ass is considered good enough.

3. I was not ready for the food.
I mean, I knew what I was getting into, and I could be infinitely further from my comfort zone so I won't complain, but it has taken some getting used to. This country is not familiar with Mexican anything, so it's best not to even try because I've already discovered approximations are more disappointing than the absence itself.

4. I had no idea how the banking system worked.
In this country I've discovered that they won't give you money from a check on the spot, they actually make you wait until the check clears before you can access the funds. It's like they don't trust people or something. One of my classmates says it's so that they can invest the money and make a quick profit in that 5 day clearing period, and that sounds reasonable, but I still hate it.

5. Some things cost a lot, and some don't. 
In the city centre market you can get a grocery bag of carrots for £1! Even at home that's only $1.60. And that is a lot of carrots. Pretty much all produce comes in amounts too large for one person, but at an unbelievable bargain that this one person can't pass up. However I can't justify a £29 sweater because in my mind I can't stop thinking about how it's really $45. Can't win them all.

6. There is not one united city transport system.
Most cities that I've been to have a bus system. Just one, and it covers the entire city. You can get transfers, and you can get bus passes that work everywhere. Not Leicester. This city has three or four bus companies.

ARRIVA!!

Centrebus

First

Thurmaston

And most buses go to the same exact places and have routes with the exact same number. So I have yet to figure out if it's preference based, or if they each serve different outlying corners of the city, but I've chosen to be loyal to Arriva. So far they have had stops going everywhere that I've wanted to go, and I couldn't ask for more. But a lot of times it's easier to just walk.

So while I've been here for officially a month tomorrow, I'm still figuring out how this city works. And if I run across any more startling revelations, I will let you know. I have a feeling that with both Diwali and Guy Fawkes nights this weekend, I will have more than enough to report next week.

Cheers!