Hey there all you lovely people…
SO turns out that I have been INCREDIBLY slack whilst writing my travel blogs
of late…whilst I have started them, I have not finished them which is horrible.
I could tell you that I have been exceptionally busy trying to set up a life
here in London and travelling (yep, because I am now in London and have been
living here for just over two months). So, those that I have missed I will come
back to…so whilst you may see some blank posts below, that is why – rather than
putting off my newer ones, I thought I would update you on the current then
play catch up.
SO – London life!!
After arriving in London on the 19th of May 2014, I have already
seen and learnt and done a bundle. Firstly trying to find somewhere to live,
secondly trying to find a job, and thirdly trying to enjoy my time here.
In the past 2 months I have had 3 different jobs (hello temp
life!) and all have been vastly different. I have worked in hospitality for 5
star hotels all around London (hectic hours, minimal pay), I have been a
teachers’ assistant in schools working one on one with kids with behavioural
issues (I always seem to fall back into this) and I have also been working
reception/admin for student accommodation.
There have been days with no sleep with all the work, and
days where all I do is sit on the computer and search for jobs so I can pay
rent. Which brings me to the next thing; London is expensive to live in! Rent
is high for a small house with no living room, dining room or back yard, and
sharing with 6 other people (including sharing a room). Transport is also expensive
when you fork out for a weekly oyster card, so at some points I am going around
with £3 in my account for 5 days until the next pay day. Definitely not what I
had envisioned when I dreamed up coming to live in London…which of course means
that I have had no money for travelling.
Now that might sound like a party poopers attitude, BUT it
is amazing the things you can find to do in London for free. Firstly most the
tourist sights are free, you just need to hoof it around the city (or catch the
delightfully sweltering tube…) and there is so much just to experience.
London is full of amazing markets that you just need to be in, although save
some money for awesomely delicious food J
that is a must! Brick lane markets are awesome, as are the Camden markets, and
yet there are still hundreds more that I have yet to explore!!
You can also spend hours just lying in one of the many amazing parks watching
squirrels play in the trees (SQUIRRELS!!!) with a cider and a good book just
hanging out.
I have discovered an awesome little book store on the canals near Paddington
station. It is a second hand book store on a boat!! AMAZING!! Coincidentally
this was located on my journey between my school job and my admin job…just
stopping in for a cheeky look aroundJ.
I got to see Arcade Fire play at Hyde Park, managing to score free wrist bands
to get us closer to the stage with ridiculous amounts of room to dance like a
spaz with great friends. I also learnt a new game that night of “catch” using a
coconut…. which also turned into “piggy in the middle” with a security guard
playing the piggy…
I have also gone to Holi fest in the pouring rain, throwing
colourful powder in the air whilst dancing in a mosh pit as the rain turned the
powder to paint. There are also free movies in the park during the summer time
(MEAN GIRLS!).
Summer here is different to what I am used to in Melbourne. Here the summer is
sticky with humidity made even more sticky when you are on the tube sardined
with many other sweaty locals. I felt like I have been back in the Philippines
on days like these.
A tradition between our housemates has also been Sunday roast night at our
local pub. I am not sure how this started but it has been 6 weeks now in a row
where we have ended up there. Gotta say, it is not a bad tradition to have
(even for a vegetarian…om nom nom vegetarian roast).
Ohhhh London, you drain my bank account massively, but I do
enjoy your company :)
Love always, B xo
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