We're Here!!

Hello all!!

We have finally arrived in England. After a long anticipated trip, we left Toronto Pearson August 20th at 10pm and arrived at London's Gatwick airport just before 10am London Time.

The flight was uneventful. Even before that, the daunting task of getting through the airport was so much easier than we thought!! We were anticipating lines, and tight security, and all kinds of difficulties because of all the stuff we were bringing onboard. There was NONE of that. We were told that we would have to take off our shoes, and start our computers, and all kinds of other security measures, and we didn't have to do any of it!! I was surprised that I didn't set off the metal detector with all the metal I had on, but I walked right through and to the other side. We only had to take our computers out of the bags and through the x-ray. We didn't have to open anything or start anything or turn anything on. It was so easy!!

When we finally got on the plane, Ryan said, "Can you believe it's been an hour and a half since we said goodbye to everyone?" And it was true. Time went really fast, not even including the time change!! The flight was quick (or as quick as seven hours can be). We even got a hot dinner, which was a pleasant surprise.

We navigated the airport with relative ease. The line for customs was, as Ryan put it, "the shortest long line we have ever stood in!" We didn't have any problems with our passports or visas, and we even found all our luggage!! The hardest thing to find was Ryan's bike, and that wasn't even hard, we just weren't looking closely enough. We even navigated the hotel shuttle without a hitch. That was my biggest fear going in, and it was so easy!! I think the driver was amazed at how much luggage two people could have!!

We crashed as soon as we arrived at the hotel. We were so tired!!! We slept for about four hours, and now are waiting for some dinner. We will have to get ourselves used to the time change.

We are expecting a taxi tomorrow to take us to the TimePlan office, to get ourselves set to teach. We will also arrive at our new home. We will get pictures up as soon as we have them.

We miss you all very much, but are having a great time on our adventure!! We'll be in touch soon!! Lots of love, Elaine and Ryan