So it Begins . . .

After a long but not altogether terrible journey, my luggage and I arrived safely at Gatwick Airport. From here one travels through the airport to the train station. The Gatwick Express brings you directly into Victoria Station, and a long walk through masses of people gets you to the equally over-populated Underground, or Tube, all without stepping a foot outside. A few stops and a line change brought me ultimately to Tottenham Court Road Station, the nearest Tube stop to the Florida State University (FSU) Study Centre, where I'll be staying for the next 3 weeks. So, emerging into London air for the first time, this is what I see:

Yes, that is a glittering representation of Freddy Mercury. The Dominion Theatre is putting on a musical called "We Will Rock You" and this guy was waiting to welcome (OK, startle) a poor, jetlagged girl just in from the States. Talk about culture shock. After settling in and meeting up with my classmates we went on an abbreviated walking tour of the area. It was there I found another amazing advert for a musical that was much more my speed.

I saw countless posters for other productions along the way. These amazing shows (and the sometimes mindboggling promotions for them) represent a lot of what London is for me: something flashy and huge and exciting, with a great deal to explore. Will I see shows whilst in London? Most certainly; just as I’ll see many wonderful sites around London. Will I see most of them? Not even close. There is just too much to see (both in the theatre and in the city at large) to even contemplate seeing and doing most of it in the 3 short weeks I’ll be here. Will I try to do it anyway? Certainly.