Off to the Trafford Centre in Manchester

Today was my first trip off campus! The International Program and the Student Union sponsored a trip to the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Basically it was to a

huuugonic shopping center (you're not allowed to say "mall" or you will get made fun of for being and American .. needless to say I learned that one pretty quick from my flatmates).



This is not a very good one, but my accomodation (which basically means dorm or residence hall) called Whitendale Hall.




This is one of the pubs that is about a 5 minute walk from campus



This pub is called Lamb and Packett and is across the roundabout from the last one.
I had my very first LEGAL beer here on my first night in Preston.

This is what most of the houses look like in Preston. Similar to in Harry Potter...?

This is a very typical representation of my view on Preston.
The grass is suuuuper green and it's almost always raining, but still very pretty!

Indoor Skydiving anyone??



This is the top of the indoor skydiving place




The Trafford Centre sign and the queue (line) of cars




Just driving on the wrong side of the road. Interesting though, because they walk on the left side as well, which can be verrrry tricky when walking through a bunch of traffic with other Americans who are just as confused




The Trafford Centre



This place is HUGE! And literally every single car is compact like this. I have only seen one truck and two Range Rovers since I've been here. All the rest are these tiny little zippy things that are always going like a million miles an hour. 

This is one floor of the food-court that we had breakfast at this morning. Note to self, when ordering a machiatto, it will be in a shot-glass sized coffee mug, even if you order the biggest size they have. I have struck out twice when trying to do this..



This is some of the girls that I have been running around with. Emily, from New York, is on the left and Brennah, from Arkansas is in the middle. It was a little windy outside...




This is Reebok Stadium, home of the Bolton Wanderers (thanks, Dad!) which is part of the English Premeir League football club. And yes, I do get made fun of when I call it soccer here!

 Overall, today was a ton of fun. Everyone here is suuuper trendy and fashionable. Even the kids and the parents are more fashionable than I am. Nooooobody wears sweats unless they are working out. I think I'm screwed when it come to going to class. Rolling out of bed and being in class five minutes later just isn't going to be an option here I guess. We start on Monday. That will be a reality check for sure!