My first thoughts of London... massive, windy and grey (with only hints of red thanks to Mr Branson) - and that was just looking down from my plane on the descent into Heathrow!
(However, my first impressions of London did not change a lot in the next week of my living in there. It took a bit of time and perspective for it to change slightly... but we'll come to that later!)
Arriving in London
Arriving in London
Touching down in Heathrow Airport on a grey and windy Sunday afternoon seemed to be the only fitting welcome London was prepared to offer. But that did not bother me... I was thrilled to be there and quite satisfied with the typified version that it was offering!! It was quite a shock to arrive from a -9° celsius day in Helsinki to a 6° celsius day in London and for it to feel almost equally as cold!!
Arriving on Sunday afternoon
London
And can I just say, that it was only once I picked up my bags and breezed through the gates, that I truly realised the advantages to having an EU passport! I actually thought I must have missed a gate or entry point because it seemed so easy to enter the country.
Thankfully, I was not alone in that massive place, as my cousin Hanne and her daughter Alice met me at the gate, along with my friend, Greg. Hanne introduced me to the wonders of the London Underground. I had no idea what I was doing and felt like I was blindly following her through this maze that was "The Tube". As I sat there gazing out of the window, with the houses flying by, I felt about 5 years-old, as I felt a giddy grin spreading across my face because it suddenly dawned on me... I'm in LONDON, BABY!!
The day continued to bring much excitement as I bought my own 'Oyster' (London transport card) and 'London A-Z' (a map of all London streets) ready to brace the city on my own. Although to those who know me, this map will definitely not stop me getting lost!
Thankfully, I was not alone in that massive place, as my cousin Hanne and her daughter Alice met me at the gate, along with my friend, Greg. Hanne introduced me to the wonders of the London Underground. I had no idea what I was doing and felt like I was blindly following her through this maze that was "The Tube". As I sat there gazing out of the window, with the houses flying by, I felt about 5 years-old, as I felt a giddy grin spreading across my face because it suddenly dawned on me... I'm in LONDON, BABY!!
The day continued to bring much excitement as I bought my own 'Oyster' (London transport card) and 'London A-Z' (a map of all London streets) ready to brace the city on my own. Although to those who know me, this map will definitely not stop me getting lost!
Hanne, Ashley & Alice
Hanne, her partner Ashley and Alice were kind enough to have me stay in their home for my first month in London. They are so much fun to hang out with and I will be forever grateful to them for introducing me to the city from a local's perspective. We formed a really close friendship and I love them and their daughter!! I had a wonderful time with them and they gave me much useful advice about living arrangements, work and travel around the city. We had great nights out eating great food and awesome nights in watching 'English' themed movies!
Me, Hanne, Alice and Ashley
In a local Lebanese restaurant
London "Express tour" with Hanne
I awoke to my second day in London with an impending appointment with my teaching agency. We took the tube (at this stage it was still such a novelty!) in to Covent Garden where I was immediately drawn to its immense atmosphere. I couldn't be happier with the markets changing all the time and street theatre entertainment on weekends.
After a long interview with the teaching agency that involved a lot of red tape, Hanne lead me around the city for a quick afternoon walk! And yes it was brief as in one afternoon we saw...
Trafalgar Square (with Nelson's statue), Big Ben (my favourite part about London, still to date!), Parliament House, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the palace guards, St James' Park, Hyde Park gates and Piccadilly Circus (and did I say how much I love Big Ben???)
It was a wonderful initial adventure in the big city. However, we were thoroughly exhausted by the time we got back home! We must have walked at least 6 kilometres. Although it doesn't sound that bad, when recovering from a long 10km walk around Helsinki with Juhani not even two days earlier and still fighting my Australian body-clock - it was!!! We then caught the bus home and drove past Notting Hill. I look forward to the Portobello Markets in the warmer months (and now that Spring is here - we're almost there!!)
Trafalgar Square (with Nelson's statue), Big Ben (my favourite part about London, still to date!), Parliament House, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the palace guards, St James' Park, Hyde Park gates and Piccadilly Circus (and did I say how much I love Big Ben???)
Big Ben and Parliament House
London Eye
It was a wonderful initial adventure in the big city. However, we were thoroughly exhausted by the time we got back home! We must have walked at least 6 kilometres. Although it doesn't sound that bad, when recovering from a long 10km walk around Helsinki with Juhani not even two days earlier and still fighting my Australian body-clock - it was!!! We then caught the bus home and drove past Notting Hill. I look forward to the Portobello Markets in the warmer months (and now that Spring is here - we're almost there!!)
Harrods
About mid-February, I went and checked out Harrods! To say that it is an incredible store is an understatement. I spent just over an hour there and I didn't even move off the first floor! And I don't even think I saw the entirety of the first floor. I saw all the souvenir type stuff, cosmetics and perfume (and all the deli type stuff!) I didn't go all out with my purchases, just a couple of simple souvenirs including a tin of hard-boiled lollies that reminded me of spending Christmas with my mum's side of the family! Mmmm... delicious butterscotch!
Harrods
Jazz Wednesdays
Every Wednesday night, there is jazz playing in 'The Crypt' (located right next to Trafalgar Square - photo links at the bottom). It is an old Crypt that has been transformed into a restaurant and art exhibit. I haven't gone to 'Jazz Wednesdays' every week, but each week I have, the featured band has been great. Ashamedly I have also been persuaded into buying a CD each time because the music is so addictive. The first week was French jazz (photo links below in 'Trafalgar Square by Night') and the second week was a fusion band which was a lot more upbeat. The third week was a dixieland group, which is the kind of jazz from New Orleans in the 1910s. That week, The Crypt was packed with so many people over 60 years old but they moved like they were in their twenties (all over again). It definitely was music that made you want to get up and dance... which I eventually did with all the oldies! And I wasn't sure it was possible, but it's amazing how much more I love jazz now because of this place.
'Ooh La La' band
The Crypt - St Martin's in the Fields
The gravestone aisleway
The Crypt - St Martin's in the Fields
The Temper Trap
I went to see 'The Temper Trap' (Melbourne based band) at the post-Brit Awards party called 'War Child'. The Brit Awards were held at the O2 Arena, previously known as the Millennium Dome. After trying to take the tube to the gig, the tube line we were on was delayed for about 15 minutes (very significant here to be waiting down there that long) and then it was announced that the line had been suspended until further notice. My brain was about to explode because I was so keen to see this band... however, these things always turn out best in the end and as such, we all caught the Thames Clippers (like the Brisbane CityCat) to Greenwich. It was a much more scenic route and it meant that I had finally got to see the Tower Bridge, which I had not seen previously! (You can see my stupid excitement in the photo below!)
'War Child' was a fundraising event that advocated for children to be excluded from war. It is a tragic thing when we know that there are children not only exposed to war in areas of our world but are reduced to the horrid role of a child soldier. The Temper Trap, Mark Ronson and the other performers all donated their time to put on this concert to raise money for such an outstanding cause. Boy George also made an appearance which was pretty cool!!
(More photos are linked below in 'London')
Me and Tower Bridge
On board the Thames Clippers towards Greenwich
'War Child' was a fundraising event that advocated for children to be excluded from war. It is a tragic thing when we know that there are children not only exposed to war in areas of our world but are reduced to the horrid role of a child soldier. The Temper Trap, Mark Ronson and the other performers all donated their time to put on this concert to raise money for such an outstanding cause. Boy George also made an appearance which was pretty cool!!
(More photos are linked below in 'London')
Boy George performing ''Somebody to love" with Mark Ronson
'War Child' - Post-Brit Awards party (O2 Arena)
St Patrick's Day
London put on a pretty good gig for St Patrick's Day! The major celebrations were held the weekend before March 17, in Trafalgar Square. I met up with my friend Teagan and we embraced the Irish culture as much as we could! We enjoyed loads of performances from Irish dancers and musicians while dodging the ever increasing number of Guinness-intoxicated persons! The most enjoyable performance however, wasn't even on stage! It came from a little old lady who spent her afternoon juggling for no one in particular, it seemed... she was not phased by anyone! A totally tops afternoon!
Then on St Patty's Day (Thursday, March 17) I went into the city and had a couple of Irish ciders (...I stuck to the ciders as I have not developed a liking for Guinness just yet!) I met up with a few friends, some Irish and some not-so-much, at a couple of different pubs.
Me, clover and Teagan
Grandma juggling away to her heart's content
Trafalgar Square
Then on St Patty's Day (Thursday, March 17) I went into the city and had a couple of Irish ciders (...I stuck to the ciders as I have not developed a liking for Guinness just yet!) I met up with a few friends, some Irish and some not-so-much, at a couple of different pubs.
Cara and me
The White Horse
Me, Luke, Greg & Bella
'The Slug and Lettuce' pub
Our drinks: Magners Irish Cider, Coke (not very Irish) and Guinness
Generally...
I am having an absolute blast over here. After the initial settling in period where it was a NIGHTMARE trying to find a place to live - I found my feet and have hit the ground running. So far I have not had a weekend at home whether I be in the city or out of London entirely!! I love the city especially on the sunny days. And it is amazing to see how the London folk change their whole attitude and body language when the sun comes out! It's almost like they come out of a trance and become civil human beings... yay for London sun! And speaking of London sun, it is out today so I'm off to go and play some frisbee and 'football' in the park.
But until next time... Cheers!
To view more photos, please use the below links:
London
Trafalgar Square by night
St Patrick's Day
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