Tropical Tom in Cold Britian

I'm able to get internet connection at the Hilton Hostel in Manchester. Internet is included in the17 pounds/night price. Yeah!

Few points;

• British Customs - They couldn't understand why I'm flying all the way to visit the business schools. They held me in customs. After waiting 3 hours, going through my language, me showing them all my paper from the Business school brochures, my schedule for the information sessions/interviews for all B-schools, they let me enter the UK.
• This memorable conversation;
• Customs- "Why can't you research the schools on line and apply for them on line? Why do you have to come to the schools?"
  
• -tvu "Would you spend $80,000 on a car only through researching it on line? Wouldn't you want to at least test drive the car?"
  
• Customs- "OK. You can go. Have a nice trip."
• Temperature - I got into London afternoon, it was cold but manageable. Then it got dark, and got even colder. Now I'm in Manchester this afternoon, and it's even colder then London at night! Wonder how cold it's going to be tonight. It hasn't rained yet, but I'm not holding my breath! **Update** It's raining now.
  
• Food - Being ethnically Vietnamese, but culturally Vietnamese-Mexican-American, I'm use to eating food w/ lots of seasoning (i.e. soy sauce, fish sauce, salsa, herbs, onions, garlic). So far, I only had one traditional English meal (baked chicken w/ side dishes of boiled carrots, boiled cabbaged, and chips (steak fries). I tried lots of salt and pepper, but it didn't help. It's only one meal, so I'm keeping an open mind.
• English language - English is spoken in both Britain and the States, but the spoken language here is different. Every few sentences I have to ask them to repeat. It's cool because, I get double look and have to repeat myself to the British when they hear my SoCal American accent. Super Coolio Bra! hehe...
• City; London - WOW. Simply WOW. This city is fantastic, rich w/ history and full of life. Truly is one of top international cities of the world. Brochures, video guides can not do this city justice. It must be experienced! Plenty of diversity; the ubiquitous Indian restaurant, and pubs. I even "discovered" the china town here! It wouldn't be an international city without a china town. There was even a Vietnamese restaurant! No I didn't try it. I tried the British meal instead. hehe...
  
• Exploration - Going for a wandering walk through the streets at night (started at Piccadilly Circus), looking at the various shops and people, when the street opened up into this Gianormous plaza! It was the British National Gallery. WOW! It is the small unexpected discoveries that makes the biggest impact within the experiences of our lives.
  

Some pictures of the Hilton Hostel in Manchester;




View out my hostel window











A ten bunk bed room and only me. Score!







Self portrait