First 25 Hours in London
What can you get done in 25 hours in London? With some preparation, quite a bit, I learned. Within the first 25 hours, I was able to get from the Heathrow Airport to my hotel on Edgeware Road, check-in, get my new UK mobile number, buy wireless internet connection for my laptop, get an Oyster card (pass for the tube), open a bank account at HSBC, learn a few British words, see three flats and find the one that I am going to move into this weekend.
I hear you! Why didn’t he accomplish all of that in 24 hours? Well…the last hour was having a beer with my new flatmate near our place in Notting Hill. So, if you want to be technical, I got it all done in 24 hours :)
The weather in London is amazing these days (at least for someone who can run around in shorts and a t-shirt). I was told the Queen wanted to prepare a warm welcome for me. And yes, she did: the last two days it is 92F/33C and the BBC Breakfast (the morning show here) is all about how to deal with the heatwave. I feel bad for all the business people who have to wear suits and ties in this heat.
When I arrived for the first time in London, it felt like I arrived in a miniature city. The train from the airport took me to Paddington and around here, the houses don’t have more than three floors, compared to the U.S. the streets are narrow, cars smaller, but busses are huge. For me, it was interesting to see these small houses and then this big red bus driving buy. It looked like you can look from the top of the bus to the living room of the people on the second floor.
I didn’t see much of London yet, but so far, I am liking it! It’s a lot of charming neighbourhoods, little shops, caffees, restaurants. And despite what I’ve been told before my trip, the people have been very friendly (except the waiter in the Chinese restaurant yesterday…I don’t think he knew how to smile). The people at the mobile store helped me pick the right service while telling me what neighbourhoods they like, where I should go, etc. The lady at one of the tube stations told me what I need to do to get the Oyster card and explained in detail how to get the best deals on transportation with the card. The guys at HSBC made opening an account very simple (read other blogs to find out how difficult it usually is for someone with no UK address). Overall, my experience so far has been very good.
As most of you know, I was mostly nervous about finding a flat with good flatmates in a nice location. I had scheduled viewings of about 10 places over three days. I saw one place the day I arrived. It was in Hammersmith. Not a bad area, not a great one either. That wasn’t the problem though. The people living there were very nice, but the room was so tiny, the wall was touching the bed from both sides and when you got out of the bed you pretty much walked out of the room.
The second place I saw was in Maida Vale, which is a nice area. It was a nice room, but there was no living room and that’s something I definitely needed. I don’t want to be in my room all the time. The third place I saw was the one I took. It is in Notting Hill on the border with Bayswater. Really, really nice area, two bedroom place, good size living room, nice flatmate James and private park right outside. Close to all the transportation including the tube and 24 hour bus service. It was a little more expensive, but the location!! I am moving in on Saturday.
I was so happy to find the place. I could finally relax. Soon I will be posting pictures. Now I have to go pay the deposit for the flat. Looking forward to hearing from you! Cheers! It’s all brilliant in London at the moment :)
