It's been seven days since I moved into my teeny apartment in central London and a lot has happened in that time. I moved the accumulation of my life's possessions on the train to my flat on the Monday, started work on the Tuesday, had a night out at the cheesiest of clubs on the Friday and danced salsa at Notting Hill Carnival to celebrate my birthday on the Sunday... Thank goodness it's bank holiday Monday today!
But, honestly, despite the madness of it all, it's been one of the best weeks I've had in a while! Despite thinking I'd hate living in London for years and years, I actually (so far) really love it. I really am a country bumpkin and have avoided big cities for most of my life. Yet, I feel very at home here. I love the fact that it's busy, constantly moving and changing and that there is always something to do. And I really hope that feeling lasts!
Here's what I've been up to so far:
Monday: Moving in
At uni, moving in almost required hiring a van to move all my stuff from one end of the country to the other. We just about got it all up to Durham in one go in my dad's 4x4, but it was a tight squeeze and usually consisted of sweltering under bags of bunting and other essential items. However, moving all my things to my flat in London in a car would have ended in a hefty parking fine. So, my dad and I took two large suitcases, a duvet bag, a loaded rucksack and a handbag on the train instead. That would have been okay, had we not had to make the journey from Euston to my flat via the estate agents in across town to pick up my keys and then lug it all up three flights of stairs... Uber taxi's free first ride was a lifesaver, 'cause there was no way in hell we were gunna take the tube!
After the regular shenanigans of dealing with London estate agents and their rather slow approach to dealing with clients, we arrived at my flat. It's tiny, but I was expecting that. I'm also doing a house share which means that I had literally no clue as to who I was going to live with. But if you're moving to a strange new city, why not go full on and live with strangers, right?! Right...? It's all working out so far and my European flatmates are providing wonderful language practice!
Tuesday: Starting work
After the utter exhaustion of moving to my new flat in a new city with new people, my next challenge was starting work straight away. I don't know if I'd recommend it entirely, but it meant that all the butterflies that come with starting new things were over and done with in two days. And I've survived. So, maybe it wasn't a bad idea after all.
My first day of work (and real full time employment ever...) was full on, but very enjoyable! The team are awesome and so friendly. And we have an occasional office dog, which always helps. I once read that office dogs increase productivity. I can confirm that this is not true. Not one bit. It does, however, make for a wonderful working environment and hours of entertainment. I also miss my two fluffy monsters, so it was nice to have doggie cuddles.
My first (almost) full week of work was, I'd say, a success! My brain was at the point of exploding with all the new information being crammed in, but after a nice (not so relaxing) weekend, I think it's sunk in! I have also discovered the art of spending lunch hours lazing around on the grass in a park with hundreds of other Londoners who are all seeking a bit of greenness in the midst of the grey. There is even a park with goats, and I have literally no idea why... Perhaps the best and most surprising lunch hour was spent with a fellow ex-Arabic student from Durham who just happened to be working literally next door to me... It's a small world, eh?
Wednesday: Ordering my first (and most certainly not last) take away to my door
'I will cook such healthy food when I am in London! I will spend hours creating gourmet dishes that are worthy of Michelin stars!' Okay, so maybe I didn't actually think that... But I did imagine myself cooking more green stuff. What I didn't consider was how tired I would be and how much I'd crave comfort food. So, Wednesday found me ordering an Uber Eats free £10 take away (cheeky plug* my code is eats-charlotted2718ue if you want free food in London too ;) ) and having it delivered straight to my door. It was so greasy and so delicious. I have cooked healthy stuff since though, so I'm redeemed. The uber eats code thing has also started a small competition in the office as to who can get the most free food by making others use their code. It's quite entertaining to watch loyalties being tested by the idea of a free meal.
Friday: Infernos fun
Infernos. Or 'inFUNos' as Claudia has lovingly named it. A club I can only describe as Klute-like. If you aren't a Durhamite, here's the lowdown on Klute: it was officially Europe's second worst nightclub until the first burnt down. Durham students are also very precious about it. I once heard that there was a dead rabbit on the dance floor one night and everyone just kept dancing like there was no issue. It's not a classy establishment, but it's ours... or at least I used to be able to say that when I was at Durham... Anyway, Infernos is an equally cheesy club (and apparently, an ex-Durham student hot spot- I think they are mourning their Klute Sundays which led to Hungover Mondays) where ABBA can be blended with a MJ song to create a beautiful melody that will keep you singing, dancing and strategically fending off creeps til the sun comes up. I went for a pre-birthday night out and had a blast, even if I just couldn't make it 'til the end of the night. So, London Pals, I look forward to the next inFUNos night!
Saturday: Family visit
InFUNos ended at about 3am with three of us crashed out on a double bed, ears ringing and heads spinning. The next morning at 11 Claudia bravely went where no hungover woman should go: the gym and I made my way home to prepare for my family giving me a birthday visit.
It was a really lovely day that started with beautiful new salsa shoes, continued on to Patisserie Valerie, then a stroll in Hyde Park and finally to the wonderful flower-filled Thai restaurant tucked inside the Churchill Arms pub. It has won Chelsea flower show awards, has delicious reasonably-priced food and is definitely worth a visit! It was lovely to see a greener and prettier side of London and spend time with my family.
Sunday and Monday Bank Holiday: Notting Hill Carnival and Little Venice
You may be thinking: 'Sunday is surely rest day', but there is no rest for the wicked! Sunday was the first Carnival day and, despite hearing many people saying how far they were going to avoid Notting Hill during the bank holiday, I was determined to not miss it. And I'm glad I didn't! Firstly, I am partial to sparkles, and there were plenty. Secondly, I would never miss an opportunity to dance salsa and eat great food.
As a dedicated salsera, I googled 'salsa Notting Hill Carnival 2016' before heading off, and came across a site recommending a static music stand playing Latin tunes and the guarantee of dancing. So, naturally, I gravitated towards that (even though it took hours of asking all 9000 policemen where it was with little luck after leaving my smartphone at home for fear of it being nicked). It was awesome to dance in the middle of the street and feel like part of the carnival! People took photos, and if I somehow locate them, I'll post them.
On my way to the carnival, I also discovered Little Venice, which, as the name suggests, is a Venice-esque canal with pretty boats and floating cafés. It is really very sweet and I hope to stop for a drink there sometime!
Monday Bank Holiday: Enjoying the Arab wonders of Edgware Road
Monday saw another, even more sparkly day at the carnival and a mooch around Edgware Road and all the Arab-ness it has to offer. I got to practise my Arabic with a nice Egyptian guy and relive the wonder that is Karak tea. If you have been to the Persian Gulf or read my Year Abroad blog, you will know that Karak tea is the best and I have been craving it for the past year. I think it will become a regular thing- even though it's about a billion times more expensive than in Oman!
So, in sum, my first week has been crazy! And I'm sure that's not about to change; I'm yet to find a salsa group to throw myself into and dance until my feet hurt, I'm yet to really explore London outside of my borough and find weird, niche places, and I'm yet to settle into a day-to-day routine and become a real 'Londoner'. I hope you've enjoyed reading about my first week in the Big Smoke as much as I've enjoyed writing down the awesomeness/complete mentalness of it all!
Until next time...
Charlotte x
