I always knew being in London would be the hardest part of my trip. From day one when I decided to leave NZ, I knew I would have no set plans on arrival. I had no job lined up, a small amount of American $ and I knew 2 people. There have been times when it has been harder (than it would be if I was at home) or stressful. And the constant uncertainties are not always helpful. But I have made it this far, so I'm sure the hard part is over,(fingers crossed) hopefully I leave in a very different way to arriving!
I had asked a friend if I could stay with him for the first night on arrival. Which he was OK with, however there was a communication error. And when it occurred to me to write down his cell I couldn't get on line to do so. (You'd think I would have learnt after my Peru panic attack when on arrival I had no idea if anyone was picking me up or a ph number or an address. Now that was stress!!) After waiting for hours outside what I hoped was Jonnys apartment stressing that I had the wrong address, because I couldn't remember if it was a 3 or 5. He eventually showed up and was surprised to see me. The funny thing was that his sister was in the flat, we had seen each other. But it didn't occur to me that she'd be there (even though I knew the whole family was over for a wedding), and I'm pretty sure I'm the last person she would expect to see outside her brothers London flat! Which is why neither of us clicked in the 3 hours I was waiting on the street.
I was very fortunate that the brothers (Phill and Jonny) helped me out by letting me dos at their perspective flats while I started to get things sorted. I had prearranged an interview (with a temp agency) for the day after arrival, and had work offered on Thursday. But had underestimated how tired I would be so started working on the first Monday after arrival. The work was fairly average, but at least it was start! For the first month work was fairly sporadic. But it kept me off the streets.
After 2 weeks of dosing and then two weeks at a backpackers, I went back to dosing with the Jonny and Phill who had just moved into a new place. So I went from a crumby backpackers to the luxury of a leather couch (thanks immensely boys). Where I stayed for a month until I had the money to get into a flat. Which as it turns out, isn't easy. Theres a lot of competition so I was fortunate to get the place I'm in now. Its in the north (Dollis Hill tube station) about 15 -20 mins from Oxford circus. With a great big park behind us. I like to think of it as our back yard- the Queen has a big one why cant we?
For the last 7 weeks or so I have been working with a guy whom I met in America, predominantly decorating.Which has been really good. An hour on the tube each way has caused me to have an odd sleep pattern now. As I snooze in both directions, I seem to be going to bed later and later.
But I'm about to be on the search for a new job soon. So hopefully I will be fortunate once again and find a job closer to home.
There have been times over the last couple of months that for what ever reason I have been disheartened, or momentarily depressed (?). But I have found the remedy to be going for a walk around the city and seeing things or being in places that I have always heard of or that are icons of London. Like the Tower Bridge , Westminster or even just Piccadilly Circus. On one Saturday afternoon adventure I stumbled into Harrods Knightsbridge, where I tried on a £70,000 watch (almost $200,000 NZ). I saw one there for £170000!!!! (almost half a million NZD). I was impressed at the friendlessness and unpretentious of the assistant. Clearly I was not the type of person to be buying such a watch, but I wasn't made to feel like I shouldn't be there.
I have started going to a church so hopefully will meet some more people. This weekend just gone was the first out side of the city. Which was a very nice change to head up into the country and see more trees than people for a change! And I am slowly starting to explore the city and surrounding area. I'm trying to make the most of my time here. I am going to Amsterdam for New Years and hopefully will be able to go to Germany before Christmas. As well as a few day trips out of the city along the way.
So for now things are going well. I'll try to update a bit more regularly now!
Hope your all well out there in blog land.
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