Cold and wet.

I'm beginning to realize how appropriate it was that this blog is entitled "On a rainy day," because in my time in Cardiff so far, it has rained every day.  My new big, red umbrella has already more than paid for itself and has earned a permanent place in my purse/book bag/hand.

No hot water in the whole of Aberdare Hall this morning, so cold showers for all!  The bad part about this scenario is the fact that they haven't yet turned on the heating in the building except for the radiators in the main hallways.  It is currently 57 degrees outside and the windows aren't exactly double-paned. 

Today I plan to walk down to the city center with my friend Joanne (whom I met via Facebook several months ago) and do a bit exploring around the stores and shops, as well as visit the National Museum of Wales which is literally just down the street.  I will also stop in to check on how my bank account application is coming along; hopefully it will be all approved and ready to go.  Hopefully.

Those of you who check in on my blog regularly will probably be privileged with pictures sooner than those who wait for me to post them to Facebook.  Here are a few for starters:

This is the way the entire building is heated - giant iron radiators.  Not too strange or even inefficient, but definitely a bit antique. 

A view of my bedroom window from the outside.  A view from the inside will be included later, once I organize my room enough to take pictures of it. 

Tea - my favorite in the whole wide world, and now a nightly ritual.  I can drink all the tea I want here and people don't think it's strange.  They even provide it in by-the-barrel quantities for breakfast every morning.  They understand.