So I've officially had my first experience out in England. I hate to disappoint, but it wasn't exactly exotic.
The Pavillion is the resident club/bar at the student village. For those of you who have experienced Thompson Rivers University--it is Heroes stepped up a notch. Now, I've never been to the Max (but I can imagine), and I think the Pav might be reminiscent of.
The entryway is actually an open lobby--deserted, at least for my entry--where you will find to your right a doorway for the Ladies and one for the Gents to your left. Up a stairwell and you enter into what seems to be another lobby, should I expect this place to get packed at high season or is ballroom dancing a popular Wednesday night activity? Apparently the real action takes place into the bar section of the Pav...

So there I stand under the archway with the bar directly to my left, a spacious and empty expanse of dance floor, and to my right: everyone else. Talk about an entrance, no one needed to announce that arrival, nor point out that it was done solo.

I'm fine with solo, but this was downright funny. Fortunately, I found it so at the time and was genuinely laughing at myself (on the inside of course; on the outside I was cool as a cucumber). With not a single vacant seat in the house, I managed a pretty brave stroll down the middle of the dance floor and veered left to the bar.

When in doubt, head for the bar.

I've said before the British are very friendly, and they proved themselves consistent tonight. At the bar I found a friendly face, two actually, in two girls who struck up conversation. I would love to share their names, however, both being British and Muslim I wouldn't dare attempt to spell what I know I wasn't even pronouncing properly. Imagine my delight in finding that they don't drink either--imagine the bartenders delight in pouring two orange juices and a water.

We played a game of pool (rules suspended) and met a few other Pav-illioners: Shawn from Capetown, South Africa; Jess from Boston, U.S.A.; and Dimitre from Athens, Greece. The girls are originally from London, currently residing in Manchester, and hopefully we will all manage to see a bit of both cities in the next four months.

So here's a glassful of orange juice to the Pav, the British and girls that don't drink!