So, I make it to Philadelphia on time and in one piece - quite apt that it is in the USA where the problems start. My 'bone hasn't made it thru to the belt, and the faff of looking for it means I miss my connection.
Once I arrive in Ottawa I report the loss, and they reckon it will make it to me by the next morning (which it hasn't). Anyhow, I get a lift with the Uni helpers, and I receive my keys plus all the bumff. As soon as I enter the corridor I hear Hannah call 'Oh its Nick!' which is somewhat reassuring - she is the other RHUL exchange student, and has the room next to me. The room is your average student expectancy, with internet plus landline, but without sink unfortunately.
By now the jet lag has seriously hit me, and I sleep a normal Canadian night, waking up at 8:30 (14:30 Germany time!). The other Brit, Emma from Tunbridge Wells, and a friendly Canadian called Matt walk with me and Hannah to the Arts Faculty induction, just round the corner. The campus is niceely integrated into the city centre, not in any way sectioned off like in Egham.
Wot a blast of an ice-breaker the induction turned out to be, with über-enthusiastic ringleaders, with seemingly endless amounts of 'Cheers', shout-outs etc! The rivalry was clearly against Engineers and the other Ottawa Uni, ......... Something incorporating a sealion being something like 'Fuck' in french was pretty funny, but my furry jet lagged memory won't access it right now! Another Canadian Johnny joins our increasing crowd as we're told to literally make our mark on the place with crayons....
After checking out the Cafeteria (the 'Caff') for lunch, we head back and I nap for an hour. NB - all prices here are give before tax has been added, which irritates and baffels us Brits, as nothing is ever a round number anymore!) The bank holiday (Labour Day) prevents us from going on a much needed shop, and we eventually go to the outdoor music event. The bands are shite so we leave in pursuit of alcohol, but fail, finding an open supermarket in the process however. One basket full of essentials comes to 40 dollars, quite dear in actual fact....