Today was our very first day in Birmingham! After getting off the plane at the airport we were pretty tired from traveling, so the bus ride to our hotel turned into nap time for a lot of us. Once we finally arrived and got settled, I was excited to start exploring and seeing what Birmingham was like. We spent our first day walking around and enjoying the sights that the city had to offer. One of the first things I noted was how close together everything felt. The shops, buildings, and restaurants were all within a quick walk which made it feel easy to explore. It made the city feel very lively because there were people walking alongside us almost everywhere we went (even if our group may have occasionally been in the way). It made the city feel very active because there was always shopping, sitting outside, talking to friends, or even roller skating. 

We stopped for a bite to eat at a pub where I ordered spinach stuffed pasta shells and garlic bread, which were delicious. We also watched football playing on the TVs above us and got to research what teams were associated with Birmingham. It was interesting to see how invested people were in the games and made me feel more like a local. It was a good break before the walking started back up and gave us some time to recharge. I really enjoyed the chill and relaxing atmosphere since it was more of a local pub, and it felt very different than the restaurants I have back home. 

We then visited the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where we got to spend some time walking around the different exhibits at our own pace. I really liked how interactive the museum felt because you were able to engage into the material easier instead of just reading panels off the walls. I also thought it was really nice that it was free, because it made the history and art more accessible for everyone. You could see the impact of that because when you looked around there were all groups of people like families, local visitors, and tourists. But my favorite part of the museum was the tearoom in the back. It had so many different places to sit and everything was very vibrant. I honestly kept thinking that if I lived in Birmingham, it would probably become one of my regular spots because it felt so calming. 

Although we walked a lot and were definitely tired by the end of the day, I think walking was the best way to experience Birmingham. It allowed me to see small details that I would have missed otherwise and really experience the walking culture of the city in a more natural way. Overall, my first day in Birmingham made me even more excited for the rest of the trip, and I already feel like I am learning so much from being here. Now it is time to rest up for a big day tomorrow!