So yes, these are some images taken and mushed together that I saw from the window of the bus (which they call a coach or a lorry - this would be a coach though the difference escapes me).  Mostly its some country side taken for the sake of having something to share - highways are highways after all.  Still - I did see a difference in the farm animals right away: driving on a US highway you see horses and cows, out here you see horses and sheep.  I haven't seen a cow yet.

There are a lot of little differences like that.  Instead of "Yield" the signs say "Give Way" but they are the same red triangle upside-down shape.  Instead of Thank you for your business, come again it is Thank you for your custom, please call again.  Stuff like that.  Same meaning, different way of presentation.

I got in a nap before the Safety Lecture (we have a fire drill tomorrow at 9:15 am, just after breakfast which is at 8) and the little meet and greet food party.  My ethnography was right: these are not a people of great flavor in their day to day eating.  The sweets are good (and yes, they are all called sweets here) and I hear that breakfast is supposed to be their best meal, so we'll have to see.  I did get down a piece of chicken and some salad that wasn't at all bad, just bland bland bland.

So now it is 8:30 and I am tired.  Some of the others are going to hit a pub, but I didn't join them.  I've already spent more than I like today and I don't want to get sloppy with the kids all strung out on jetlag and such like they will be.  Some of the people here seem to be on a second or even a third semester importing - with pre-made cliques that come with that shared experience.  I'm not overly thrilled about that, but it is the same as it is anywhere else I guess in that regard.

I really hope we get some homework and class time on the books right away.  I like all the professors I spoke with at the gathering and I am running out of tasks to focus on to take my mind off of being alone and far away from home.