After 6 or so hours sitting two rows in front of a (6 week old) baby across the Atlantic, my friends and I made it to London. We got through customs and such fairly easily - the only question they asked me is what I'm going to be studying - but we waited for our coach (bus in the US) for about 2 hours. The actual London Center is smaller than I was expecting, but I like it. It's cozy and Victorian looking. Very nice.
For now we are staying in the Millenium Gloucester Hotel, just a three minute walk from the ICLC. I'm rooming with Christina, and our room is pretty nice. Not as cool as Andrea and Casey's fung shue (I have to idea how to spell that) theme, but definitely nicer than a dorm. My bed and pillows are so comfy, and the shades keep it nice and dark in the morning. My only complaint is that the shower head is super low. I'm around 5'10", so it's sort of an issue. But whatever, I can duck my head.
In other news, my cold is getting better, my ears finally popped this morning, and I don't really feel jet lagged. Getting a solid 11 hours of sleep last night probably helped a lot with that.
We have yet to see much of London, but we are getting to know the area around the ICLC. We know our way to the closest Tube stop (Gloucester Road), supermarket, Tesco (like an inexpensive mini mart), and pharmacy. Oh. And the phone store.
Now, it's time to start the hunt for a flat.
Testing posting a comment...having a little trouble here.
ReplyDeleteOK....so whatever I did is now working! This is what happens when you are computer illiterate....or maybe not as I got it working.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty much addicted to this site, Liz! Nothing like living through others! I can picture the area, I know it so well. We are in the midst of a blizzard here and as much as I love snow, I would still rather be in London. Still pea green with envy.....
If you need a sugar and caffeine fix, head up Brompton Road towards Harrods and you'll find Valerie Patisserie. It's easy walking distance from where you are. French pastries and lots of coffee and tea. Eat all the pastries I can't! It's on the same side of the road as Harrod's. Also, take the Tube a couple of stops over to Kensington High Street station and when exiting the station, take a right. About a block up the street, on your right, is the most phenomenal Whole Foods Market you'll ever see. You can also get lunch on the second floor. Right up the street from there is the entrance to Hyde Park and you'll see Kensington Palace from the road.
I could go on and on here but won't. Have fun and keep on posting, when you can. I want to hear everything!
It's snowing like crazy here- or when I was your age we would have said ," It's a wicked pissah snowstorm..." lol About the shower thing, remember, England is an oldddddd country, full of antiquities -- aka the plumbing...You may find it challenging getting ready in the morn with all of you in one flat..
ReplyDeleteHi Liz We had a ton of snow yesterday. Dick doing good and I am also/. This is a test. Nanajane
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