London Calling

Friday, September 19, 2008

Well I have arrived in London all safe and sound. The flight was uneventful....I came out a little dehydrated but that's about it. The lady in immigration or customs or whatever they call themselves here was not sure how a registered nurse could take this much time off work to travel (the travel nurse concept was totally new to her) but after a few questions I was on my way.

So I got my back pack down to a nice 38 pounds after being packed re-packed about 8 times but I still think I over packed (like I've never done that before). Very hard since my trip will take me through 3 seasons and need to be prepared for all of them. According to an article mom sent me I am what people are now calling a "flash-packer" because although I am carrying all my stuff in a backpack I am not packbacking (basically I am staying in higher end hotels and I am guaranteed to have a flash drive on me....not to mention my mini laptop.)

Of course this is not my first trip to London. I was here about 12 years ago while in high school and I will head back and see many of the same things again but I think it will be a little differnt this time around. I think I have totally different attitude and perspective and looking forward to the repeat opportunity.

I realized as I was heading to the Tube station I was not as prepared as I should have been. I got my oyster card all topped off with money for the week and knew what train lines to be on but I had forgotten to write down which Tube station was closest to my hotel, Kilburn Park or Queen's Park. It turned out it was Kilburn Park.....but I went by that station and got off at Queen's park. A very nice guy helped me out and got me back on the right train and gave me very good walking directions to my hotel. It is actually only about a block so it will be easy to get around. By the time I leave next week I will have this thing mastered.

The next thing I had to figure out was how to turn on the lights in my hotel room. There is this slot by the door that tells me to insert the room key to activate the lights but it took me a couple tries before I realized I had to leave it in there. Next I had to learn how to work the shower. I figure if you turn and pull and push enough things it will eventually turn on......and I was right.

I am staying in an area of London called Maida Vale. It is out of the main area but like I said close to the tube so easy to get around and there is lots around. It reminds me of 17th Ave or Whyte Ave......but much more multicultural. Lots of little restaurants and stores and liquor stores and betting places. The hotel is at a quiet end of the street though so I should not have to hear the double decker buses driving by all night (at least not right now as the street out front it closed due to construction).

So tomorrow it all starts. I am still not sure what I will do but I will figure that out. No shortage of stuff that is for sure. Of course I will try to keep this updated throughout the next 3 months but please be patient if there isn't anything new for a few days.

Julie