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I'm telling myself that no matter what, I *will* like this flat today! I have to - I check out of the hotel tomorrow morning and need to have somewhere to go (though I could hostel it for a couple of nights I guess - but I don't want to lug all my crap around). So...off exploring in a new part of town (well, new to me).
Turns out that the flat is in Pimlico, not Victoria (but as I think I might've already established, I'm sure he just meant the train station). Actually, the flat is closely (according to one online map I consulted) surrounded by Westminster and Belgravia. Turns out, also, it's only around the corner from the Pimlico tube station. Nice. Building looked a bit tired compared to its neighbours (i.e., needed a new lick of paint) - but otherwise, s'ok...from the front.
Wandered around St James' Park. I think Lizzie must've been entertaining again. There were all sorts of police cordons & roads blocked off and such - and millions of tourists. That's what I was going to say. When I was out last night, I was trying to get my bearings standing out front of a tube station and I could've counted the number of English speakers on the fingers of a man who'd had all his limbs removed. Are there no English people in London? Bloody hell - I thought the centre of Sydney was bad. It has nothing on this place! Where was I? That's right. Lizzie's place. Honestly. I'm sure she's doing this just so I can't pop in for a cuppa. Instead, I sat down on a bench in the park and did a wee bit of reading (until my fingers got too cold to turn the pages properly), and socialised with the pelicans (God they're strange creatures) and squirrels (who weren't happy 'cos I wouldn't feed them).
3pm came and I went to the flat - first one there as they'd promised (they called me a few minutes before they turned up to let me know they were nearly there). I thought the flat was on the 3rd floor. Nope, turns out it's on the 114th floor (slight exaggeration). It's about 6 floors up - right at the very top. No lift. All I could think about was "I might have to carry my shit up *this*!". Finally got to the top - only 3 flats there and went in. Okay, it wasn't the flashest of places, but it had a full kitchen (well, a bench along a wall with cupboards above & below, fridge & a cooker (can't recall if there was an oven). No bed, just one of those pull out futon couch things (good job I can sleep anywhere). Table was just a piece of wood hinged to the wall to fold down. Smallish wardrobe. Small bathroom (but still a wee bit bigger than the hotel one). I said yes to it. It's about twice the size of any of the ones I saw yesterday and it's at the top of the building (this is good as it means I won't have people stomping on my head like I've had for the last 5 years). Paid a £220 "securing fee" or something like that - just means if I don't turn up tomorrow with the deposit & first month's rent, I've lost £220. As soon as that's paid, the agents can't show the flat to anyone - YAY! (although there were about 6 people who were shown it straight after me...they were there waiting and had climbed all the stairs so it was only fair I guess).
Apparently the two neighbours are fairly quiet, but nice, blokes. One's an actor and one's an Aussie (I laughed internally at that - we find out what one does, and where the other one's from).
So there we have it. Tomorrow I have to go and take out £1300 to pay up front for the deposit & first month's rent (£740pcm). All I need to do now is find a job within the next month so that I can pay the next lot of rent ;) Even though I move in on the 26th, my lease will begin on the 27th (since the landlord has to tidy a couple of things tomorrow...and I don't get to move in until 2.30pm). As I said to the agent, this works out well given I leave on the 27th of October. If I come back, the lease will be on a month-by-month agreement. I have to arrange the phone/Internet, so after tonight I may be out of email contact for a couple of days (depending how slow BT are to jack things up).
Tonight's job is to repack everything (I bet you're all so bloody envious - NOT). I shall away to do that now. Pics of the flat (which is most likely about the same size, maybe smaller, than the bedroom I had for 5 years) will follow eventually.
Seeyabye
PS: I move in around 3pm tomorrow - and have that interview at 4pm - might try to reschedule the interview by half an hour - that way I don't need to wear a suit all day (when trying to move).
No, I didn't go and get myself into a fight - just couldn't think of a subject for today and Elton John popped into my head (now *there's* a scary thought!).
Today was a fun (not sure if that was the right word to use or not. Again, it just jumped into my head) day. Went and had a look at one studio apartment in the morning...and this turned into 3 as the guy had more on his books he thought I might be interested in. The first one was the one that I was most interested in. OR NOT. There was a nice double bed there...that took up all the floor space! To get to the wardrobe you had to climb over the bed. To open the wardrobe, you had to move the bed. Nope, not for me. The next two were fairly similar. One was OK, except the "kitchen" comprised of a handbasin and a camp hob sitting on a wee chest of drawers. No thanks. The next one was marginally better. It's kichen had a bench built around the hand basin that the camp hob sat on...and the window was right up at the ceiling and only about 6 inches high (it did go right along the wall). Again, no thank you. Considering each of these were around the £160-180 per week mark, I don't think so. It was good, though, as it gave me a bit of an idea as to what "studio apartments" really were. After these, I went for a wee walk around Hyde Park. When I sent an email to someone (Chris?) I mentioned that I think that Hyde Park might *just* be a wee bit bigger than Queen's Park in Invergiggle. I spent something like 2 hours walking around it. Bloody feet were killing me, and I have two fat blisters (one on each heel, no less) to show for it. Those shoes weren't made for a lot of walking obviously! It was enjoyable just strolling around, watching all the sick people go for their jogs etc. The fun ended for a bit quite early on in the piece when it fair pissed down and I got soaked right through (what's that, the second or third time that's happened to me in a week!?). At least I had my jacket on to prevent some rain (not much though). After the walk I went back to the hotel to change my tee shirt (as it was a bit smelly), then went and looked at another couple of places. It was good, because one of them I hadn't arranged to look at - there were a group of people standing around and someone asked if they were there to see the flat, they were, so I tagged on. It was fine, but I didn't feel like paying £195pw for a "studio apartment" with a shared bathroom (between 4 apartments). Screw that, Noddy. The next place I was booked in to see. I was adament that I was going to take it (by this stage I was mighty stressed about not having anywhere to live). This was by far the smallest I'd seen - though the bathroom was bigger (almost bigger than the main room). No real kitchen, but they didn't say it did have one. £140pw, exclusive of bills. I said to the guy I was interested (desperation speaking) and we got talking. That's when I found out that there were still hurdles to climb. The landlord wanted a guarantor for any non-British tenants. I thought I could swing that somehow, until the agent said that it wasn't quite what I was thinking. The guarantor had to own property in Britain. Bugger me! S'all good (hopefully) - he told me that they had another property - £170pw, inclusive of all bills except phone down in Victoria (I presume he means the station - quick check of the bible confirms this). I'm going to have a look tomorrow. Apparently the landlord there is a really good guy and has a few Kiwi, Aussies & Saffas in his properties so is more relaxed about things than the other one. Fingers crossed. Actually - I don't care! I'm taking it one way or the other! The agent (& his wife?) told me they'd let me be the first to see it - that way no one could take it before me. Bloody decent of them if you ask me. We shall see.I went for another walk around town last night. It's rather different by night. For one, it's darker. (I discovered I get lost much more easily in the dark). Went down to Notting Hill (not very exciting by night, but I can now say I've been there) and around somewhere else over in that vicinity. Managed to find my way back OK...eventually. I don't think I'll leave home without my bible. Ever.Oh, I know what else I was going to say. Last night (yeah, my birthday) I gave mum a call (*mutters about technophobic parents*) and then went out for dinner. Found a nice wee Indian place not too far from the hotel - purely by chance. I didn't want Indian, but the smells coming from it were just soooo overpowering - they drew me in there (I felt like one of the old cartoon characters - y'know the ones I mean, where the smell would waft by them and they'd be picked up and dragged along by it. I know what I mean, that's all that matters). They waiter guy was so funny. He wanted to know where I was from as he'd never heard such a funny accent. I just laughed at him and (tongue in cheek) said to him that I'd never spoken to an Indian with a non-Indian accent before. He found that amusing (small things, small minds and all). Anyhow, I managed to score myself a free beer. I just happened to say it was my birthday and I was celebrating (not really an accurate word to use, but I used it anyway) all alone in a new city (population much bigger than the whole of NZ). He obviously felt sorry for me and gave it to me. Hey, if I can use the sympathy vote to my advantage, why not!Seeyabye
I'm 30 now. Joy. Thanks to all those who emailed me to say happy birthday. Thanks also to those of you who didn't (not meant sarcastically - I'm just picking you realised my absolute dislike of my birthday and said nothing; I take no offence at that :) ). When I popped into the bank to get my PIN number (which wasn't bloody there in the end!), the lady said "Oh, it's your birthday today". I told her there must be a bug in the computer, it couldn't possibly be my birthday. She apologised, then went off to get my PIN (that wasn't there). When she came back, she handed me back my passport that I'd given her for ID and said to be careful with it - it's got the same bug as the computer. I couldn't help but laugh! She was a good sort. She helped me withdraw money manually (I could've done it on my own, but she filled out something on the back of the slip saying she personally knew me). She also watched me fill out the form and take it to the teller...and laughed when the teller told me to go somewhere else to get the money. I wrote that I wanted 250 dollars, not pounds. The nice lady knew this and just watched to see everyone's reactions. Grr ;) While I was at the bank, and the lady was off getting my PIN (which, as we all know wasn't there) I got a phone call from some lady about a job I applied for online only about an hour earlier. She wants to meet with me on Monday! Whoo! It's not a job I really want, but the money sounds OK for doing something mindless (though maybe not as much so as I think...). It's a "PowerPoint Presentation Administrator" - I'm not kidding! They want someone full time to do PowerPoint presentations. C'mon...how hard can it be? At about £24k/year (possibly as much as £30k/year), who would I be to say no if offered it? If she likes me, she'll arrange an interview with her clients and me where I might have to do some kind of "test". Fingers crossed. Had a couple of rejection emails about jobs. Not bothering me - I don't remember really which ones they were, so easy come easy go, yeah.
For my birthday treat (no, I didn't spend a penny on it) I changed my mind and decided not to go to the Renoir exhibition (will do that later), instead I went to the V&A. Three bloody hours got away on me there - and there's still so much I want to see. Another place added to my list of places to go back to. Also popped my nose (and the rest of me, too) into the Science Museum. Wasn't too interested in it (not being science-minded) but went it 'cos it was close to the V&A. Guess what? It's also being added to the list of places to go back to. So many interesting things there...and that was only on the first floor!
I did call a few places about flats. A couple were let already, but I'm going to view a couple tomorrow (one at 10.45 and one at 2.30). The first one's the one that I liked the sound of the most. Looked it up on the map and bugger me, it's only a few minutes from where the hotel is. I thought it was on the other side of town. There goes my theory of knowing my way around - lol.
Oh, and while I remember...that lady yesterday who I *tried* to help find the street gave the wrong bloody name! Instead of ABC St, it's actually *Gt* ABC St...and it is where she thought it was supposed to be. If only I knew then what I know now...
When I came back to the hotel before, I stepped out of the tube station and lo and behold, the skies opened upon me (and every one else who was in the street too). Walking the short walk from the tube to the hotel I got absolutely soaked...on the day I chose not to take my jacket with me. Bloody Murphy and his laws ;)
Okay, that's just reminded me of two things. The first - last night was my first proper night's sleep since I arrived. Went to bed around 11.30pm and woke up around 7am. It was great! None of this waking up at 3am lark. I hope I can do the same for the next couple of days too. I noticed in the mirror before that it looks like I have two shiners - I mean, I *do* have two shiners - big black rings under my eyes (which have been playing up the last couple of days, this could also be to blame for the rings - might have to take my contacts out and just wear glasses). The second thing: why must they put mirrors on the walls in hotel bathrooms? Not just a standard mirror, but one that takes up the full wall? What's worse is that it's the wall behind the loo - this is when I noticed the big black rings - and opposite the shower? I suppose it might give the illusion of a larger room (god knows, this bathroom couldn't be any smaller), but still. I object!
Well, that's it. The thrilling day that was my birthday (only another year before the next one - how the years fly by).
Seeyabye
Tomorrow is my birthday. I've had this wee discussion with one of my sisters, who shall remain nameless (happy Jocelyn?), about when my birthday is. She tried to inform me that it was today...because today is tomorrow in NZ...or today is yesterday in the UK if you're in NZ...whichever hurts your head the least (they both hurt mine, which just proves that I'm right no matter what and you'd just be wasting your breath arguing with me because I'm not likely to concede the point). Where was I? Oh, yeah. So, Joss (the previously unnamed sister) thinks that she should say happy birthday to me. I corrected her, reminding her that it's only the 22nd here today. Point of this story? There isn't really one, I'm just typing what comes into my head at the time (a very scary thought indeed).
I think I'm quite comfortable with living here now, although I am beginning to wonder whether there are any native English speakers in this city - everyone seems to be a tourist! That said, people must think I live here (well, I do now, but that's not quite what I meant). I am sick and tired of people asking me where such-and-such is, or how to get from A to B. Read a map, people! God knows even a three year old would be better at it than me! This one lady, English I might add, asked me where some street was...I had no idea, so I told her "Not sure, sorry. I only just arrived here yesterday", a little white lie I know, but tough! In the end I did try to help her. Got out the trusty A-Z and worked out that the street she was looking for wasn't anywhere near where she was told it was, but she was adament it should be (yeah, because the A-Z changes the locations of streets for fun...haha, that would be funny). Digressing ever so slightly from this story, I've also found that having a non-Pommy accent really helps at times! Like in the Post Shop...they were trying to sell me some kind of lottery ticket linked into a credit card with 0% interest or some bollocks like that. I just said I was only here for a couple of weeks and the lady apologised and wished me a very enjoyable stay. Gotta love it. Have now used it twice. HA! Why was I in the Post Shop? Oh, I had to send off my application for the National Insurance Number thing. The postal system here is confusing (what I mean is don't go expecting any letters or cards or things - though I guess I should write to my mother, who decided that she didn't want to use the computer...little does she know how much I dislike her for doing that to me. I now have to physically put pen to paper..or phone. Phoning's much easier. Solved!).
Pottered around. Looked at a couple of flats. One I really liked, the neighbourhood was OK (not that I have a lot to compare with, but I felt safe wandering around about 9pm in the dark). Going to think about this one and look at another couple (this may be my "fall back" option if it's still available). I think I'm now starting to stress out about not having anywhere to live from Monday morning! Did a big flat hunt online before. There are heaps of flats, but not really where I want them (not that I really have any bloody idea - I think it's more a case of not knowing the areas they say they're in...). Have a list of places to call in the morning - that will be my first task du jour I think.
Tired now.
Seeyabye
This all happened with about an hour of me going outside. The rain, moreso the hail, made me think I should really pop in and get a decent coat...but then the sun came out and made me see sense - I don't need one...yet.
When I was walking out of the Victoria station this morning I realised how quickly I've assimilated into the tube culture. Man, the number of blank, expressionless faces on the tube and walking around the stations and their vicinities is amazing. It's almost like a bad horror film with all these mindless zombies walking around...taking over the world - haha. Seriously, you really have to wonder whether people are just sitting in a wee world of their own or whether they're an empty mind sitting there, taking up space. The sad thing is that it's just so easy to do; to sit there and zone out. Oh, just while I think about it, some people shouldn't be allowed to stand in tubes - especially when they have bad B.O. Yuck, I was standing next to this guy this morning and there was this strong stench...then he got off at a stop and I discovered it was the woman beside him :sWent to the National Portrait Gallery for a nose (never went there last time I was here). It was really interesting reading about the paintings - not so much looking at them, but finding out about methods, influences, events etc. Didn't think much of the more contemporary portraits, well, the early 20th century ones. The more modern ones I liked - the photos of celebs etc. Maybe there's a correlation between my likes and my knowledge of history? I loved the very early pieces, the Tudor Stuarts and such, but not the late 19th & early 20th century ones (we covered Elizabethan England in history, but not late 19th/early 20th century). Who knows. After today's wee excursion, I might go to the V&A tomorrow. Dunno. Tomorrow's another day altogether and I might just change my mind...Called it quits early today. Decided to put more of an effort into looking for jobs (well, not really an effort, more throwing applications out there). Went back to the hotel around 3pm and jumped online. I think I applied for about 16 jobs - could've been more, but I was getting sick and tired of writing covering letters. They take a bit of thinking about at times, especially when I don't want to be thinking (I know, that's most of the time). There were some interesting sounding ones, including a project manager (education). Not really sure what the project is, but I threw my name into the ring anyway. How hard can it be to manage a project? They're using PRINCE2 - my thoughts exactly! WTF? That's what Google & Wikipedia are for - to learn quickly about things you know nothing about. The other good thing about this job is that it's a short-term contract one until the end of October...which coincides with when I go back to NZ. There were some other interesting sounding ones, but one that made me laugh was for a "graduate entry PA". They listed in their person specifications as essential having a minimum of 5+ years PA experience. Hmm. I'm guessing they're looking for someone who graduated either years ago or who has been working as PA while doing their studies. Oh well, how sad, nevermind.Arranged to have a look at another flat tomorrow evening. This one actually had pics with the ad and looks OK. It's also a reasonable price (£550pcm). I've budgeted around £900-950pcm for rent, so this would leave me with a couple of bob spare. If this is the case then I'll try to send about 1/2 of the savings home each month - not a lot, but better than a boot up the arse.Got the forms for the National Insurance Number today. Not much to them - have to get them sent off tomorrow with a couple of photocopies of my passport info. Easy-peasy. This has made me realise that I don't think I've actually seen a post office around on my travels. Haven't been looking for one, mind. Something new to investigate, I guess.Bored with this now. Might go and find an online blog site to pop this up on.Seeyabye
Not that I'm actually working yet. God, I'd better get a job soon. It's nearly been two whole months since I worked. I'm not liking this whole unemployment lark. Not because I love working, but because I could get used to the whole not doing anything all day. As others will agree, this is bad for the self esteem. "Am I not able to get a job?" "What's wrong with me?" "Maybe I should've done a *real* degree and not a BA?" Or, the reality of the situation: "I can't be arsed doing anything, so I won't because you can't make me!".
So, opened the letter for my debit (EFTPOS) card PIN. Some things are quite backwards here, well, compared to home. They issue you with a PIN (ok, you can change it yourself at an ATM rather than having to go into a branch). My problem with this is that when I opened my letter (getting back to the point) to see what my PIN was all I got was a blank. Grr. As I was heading into town anyway I figured I'd just pop into the branch and get them to put one on for me. Nope. Doesn't work that way. A new PIN has to be issued...by post, no less. What's worse is that it'll take a week to post it out. Jaysus, Mary & Joseph! But wait - if it's sent to the branch it'll only take three days. Gimme a break! Cutting a long story short, I'm going into the branch on Friday to pick it up (and may as well change it to something else while I'm there). The Regent St branch of HSBC is well staffed - I had to wait to see someone about all this (you get a ticket with a number on it and wait until your number's called...not your number's up ;) ). The wee piece of paper gives you an indication of the waiting time. Mine said 20-30mins (not a happy camper!). God I can be impatient at times ;) Fortunately, I only had to wait about 10mins.
Went into the National Gallery again - I <3 that place. So many amazingly old and beautiful works of art there. I limited myself to an hour there (so that I can keep going back!). There's an exhibition on that I want to have a look at - Renoir Landscapes - might go to that on Friday as a wee birthday treat to myself. Popped into Pret for lunch today. Mmm, I forgot how much I love their sandwiches.
Continued with my getting off the tube at random stops, wandering around a wee bit, then getting on to go somewhere else. This is actually quite fun. Maybe I should see if the TFL want to pay me to do that for a few months. I could write up reports on the state of the trains & stations, and what's happening around stations. Maybe I could just do it anyway and write a book on the experience of tube surfing. Hmm, on second thoughts, that would require having to think about what to say - I'm not good with the whole thinking lark. Back to the drawing board... Hey! I've just worked out my problem! I know for a fact that I'm closer to being autistic than artistic, but yet I always seem to go back to that drawing board! Maybe if I went somewhere else I might get ahead ;)
Had a look at a couple of flats today. Very unimpressed with them. In my world, if you're trying to let a room in a flat, you at least clean the place a bit first - leave the mess until the sap moves in. One place was a right dump outside...and worse inside (and this was the tidiest of the two flats!). I'd almost think it was a squat, not a flat. I guess I just have to remind myself that I'm not going to get anything like what I left in Dunedin! Oh well. Never to be minding. Something will crop up. If I have to, I'll take the last place I look at over the weekend (given I leave the hotel on Monday morning, doubt I have much choice as I don't fancy living out of my suitcase for much longer...too much hassle). Don't get me wrong - I'm loving the place in spite of not having anywhere to live yet. Haha - having joked about it, I might almost *have* to resort to pitching a tent in Hyde Park. I don't see why the authorities should have any kind of problem with that; it's not like they're short of space or anything (I wouldn't take up much, anyway).
I'm not doing too bad at jotting down wee notes...at the moment. Whether this will even last a week, who knows. We shall just take it one day at a time.
Seeyabye
I have my day all mapped out. I carefully figured out where I was going and how I was to get there. I even had an alternative in case I changed my mind at the last minute. Problem! The two tube lines that I wanted to use were f**king closed due to some police investigation. Now, there was a spanner in the works if ever there was. I decided that it would just be easier to walk into town rather than try and figure out a different route. How wrong was I? Actually, I wasn't really wrong - it was easy walking into town...just that I ended up taking the longcut instead of the shortcut (this happens to me a lot I've noticed). I must learn not to be so stubborn and actually pull out the bloody A-Z when I'm completely and utterly lost (as I worked out I was). On the plus side, I found the Royal Albert Hall (that I wasn't looking for - and was actually closer to where I started from than where I intended to be). In the end I just kept walking around. After about an hour and a half I discovered that I must've been near some kind of tourist track as I saw a number of those Hop-on-Hop-off buses go past. Also, there seemed to be an increasing number of tourists. Why? Because I was near Buckingham Palace. Something must've been happening there as there were a large number of coppers about...and there was an open gate with a few cars about (it was then that I decided Lizzie must be busy so I didn't just pop my head in for a cuppa).
Managed to find my way into town, and find the HSBC branch I needed to go into - piece of piss really. Wandered around aimlessly. Popped my nose into a few stores (including an optometrist, just to get a feel for the price of contacts here - walked out pleased I have a couple of spare pairs now). Apart from a couple of cards and a frappucino, I didn't really buy anything.
Went back to the hotel - have Internet access in the room now, so that's good (only £15 for the week). Searched the 'net to see if there were any flats or jobs going for me. Sent off another few applications for jobs (I reckon this would be easier if a) I knew what I wanted to do in life and b) I had some kind of practical qualifications, not just airy-fairy theoretical ones). Oh, also topped up my mobile (life's so much easier when they at least give you something to start with!). Tomorrow's plans include calling that bloke about the possibility of some kind of job (won't hold my breath though), calling a bloke about viewing a flat (not really in an area I want, but never-the-less, it's cheap and looks fairly swish and is still within Zones 1 & 2), and go and explore another part of town (might even just ride the tubes to get familiar with where areas are).
Oh, yeah. The people over here are so bloody soft! I went out in jeans and a short-sleeved top today. Everyone else was wrapped up in big jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, the works. I didn't find it that cold - brisk at first, but not cold. It's supposed to rain today so I might take my raincoat with me - but not worry about all the heavy coats & shite.
That's right - mustn't forget that I got locked out of my room! Went down to get a paper from reception and came back to find that my keycard didn't work. Went back downstairs and enquired about it. Apparently they'd only loaded it for one night - not eight. Plonkers. I quite liked sitting in the reception reading the paper - except that I forgot that England isn't quite as smokefree as NZ, and a whole heap of Europeans came down and started lighting up - same in the restaurant. YUCK! Disgusting bloody habit ;)
End of another day.
Seeyabye
Security in Auckland has stepped up since I last left there! That new rule about how much liquid you can take on a plane (which I thought they said kicked in at the end of March) is now being strictly enforced. I was right-royally pissed off. All I had was a tube of toothpaste and the bastards took it from me. It wasn't opened that long ago but because it was a 150g tube, it went. It meant that I couldn't clean my teeth properly on the flight. If they're going to enforce silly rules like that, why can't the airlines give out those free wee packs like they used to? (would save me bludging toothpaste from people sitting next to me!)
Flight from Auckland to LA was rather uneventful. Despite telling myself I wasn't going to sleep on it, I did...as did the rest of the plane. Mind you, it was something like 12 1/2 hours. I kept getting all screwed up with the time, so I just gave up and ignored it. Managed to watch a couple of movies - Flag Of Our Fathers and Marie Antoinette. The former wasn't too bad. A bit boring in places, but not bad as far as American war movies go. Marie Antoinette, on the otherhand, was boring from start to finish. The best part of it was Kirsten Dunst. It was so slow and, in my opinion, didn't really seem to have that much of a point to it.
It was quite cool coming into LA. Got to see the spread of the wee town (and the Hollywood sign). Beaut day there - just a shame we could only see it through windows ;) Being in transit kind of sucked a little. When we were herded off the plane, we had to line up to go through security. Apparently the only have one person on - so getting 200 or so of us through was going to be a loooong wait. Luckily for some of us who were right at the back of the queue, one of the immigration ladies took us down stairs to the main immigration desks where we could go through (and then right back up to the transit lounge - which was really just the boarding gate). At least I now have a stamp in my passport from the US ;) Waiting at the boarding gate wasn't so bad (would rather have been in the K-lounge though). They had free nibbles, fruit, and drinks (non-alcoholic) available for us. I ended up sitting with the lady who I sat beside for the whole trip from Auckland. She's a copper in London and we had a great time chatting about all sorts of things. She gave me a couple of tips that will hopefully serve me well (okay, I only remember the one about not using my mobile as I walk out of a tube station as that's the best time to have it nicked). She also told me not to use the Heathrow Express - just to use the tube. I think someone else had said that as well, but meh. It was a good suggestion as it meant that I was able to get my Oyster Card straight away (this is some pre-pay card that you load up and swipe instead of having those silly paper tickets all the time). It only cost 25 quid for a week's travel pass, so that's cheaper than I thought it would be. Anyhow, back to my story of the flight over... Tanya (the copper) and I decided we weren't going to sleep on the LA-London leg, instead we'd have a movie marathon and see who could watch the most movies. We both started off with the same one - Driving Lessons (with Julie Walters & Rupert Grint) and went from there. I also watched: Last King of Scotland (the Idi Amin one), The Queen (with Helen Mirren), one with Robin Williams who ends up as President-elect of the US - can't think of its title, The Marine (with John Cena - which turned out to be an OK movie considering I was expecting it to be completely shite), and School For Scoundrals (yawn). I don't think I've ever sat through so many movies at once!
Our flight was due to arrive in London at 1030, but ended up about 1050 (not too bad), then there was nearly 20 mins in a holding pattern above London, so we didn't actually touch down until about 1110. THEN we had to wait another 15 mins for the gate we were supposed to be using to be cleared. We didn't get off the plane until just after 1130. Went through immigration and had to explain to the chick what the Working Holidaymakers visa meant (protocol, she said). That was sweet - I think I cleared immigration quicker than last time I was here! Got my luggage and walked to the tube station. Let me tell you, carrying that 17kg suit carrier ended up being a real pain in the arse. Finally got to the tube station, got the Oyster Card and just made it onto the train that was leaving. Got off at Earl's Court and changed lines and then got off at Bayswater (where I would've got off had I taken the Heathrow Express, anyway - all this meant was that it was about 8 quid (I'm only saying quid 'cos it's a hassle trying to find the bloody pound sign all the time) and meant that I didn't have to walk as far when I changed to the District Line. When I got off at Bayswater, I realised I had to walk to the hotel. Out came the trusty A-Z (which Nicky gave me) and I worked out (sort of) where I had to go. It was a 10 minute walk (but would've been 5 had the street not been a stupid one that is actually two streets running parallel to each other - with me going down the wrong one first. Luckily there was some guy doing his study to be a cabbie and he helped me out). When I arrived at the hotel (around 1pm) I was expecting to leave my stuff (as check-in wasn't until 2pm) and then go into town for a bit. The guy at the desk said that they had prepared a room for me early since I was coming in from NZ (bloody decent of them if you ask me). Went up to the room. It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be - especially the bathroom (actually, I might check this out - I'm sure I'm supposed to be in a room that *has* a bath and not just a shower). At the end of the day, it's only somewhere to store my stuff and to crash. And crash I did. Despite telling myself I wasn't going to, I ended up falling asleep around 3pm (waking up at midnight...hence typing this up now as I hope I'll be able to get back to sleep shortly!) - the bed is so bloody comfortable; it's great. Oh, must also question the front desk about room security, as I was woken up by a lady who thought this was her room...she used her keycard to open my door!
Today's plan is to head into town to open my bank account and to get a top up card for my phone (since the new sim card didn't come with anything on it - at least in NZ Vodaphone gives you $5 on it to start with). Then I think I'll re-familiarise myself with town and start the job/accommodation hunt in earnest tomorrow.
So, that's it. The first day in London (and I spend it sleeping! What a waste, huh). Oh, in terms of weather, it was quite overcast, but it wasn't cold. About 10deg I think they said on the plane (mind you, I was inside for most of it - except walking to the hotel). Just realised I've slept with the window slightly open too. It's all good!
Seeyabye
