London Adventures
So, my trip to the UK did NOT start as planned. But after securing actual, for real, not scam housing, I have settled in to a nice routine of subsistence living. With no money, it has become my little adventure to eat for as little as possible. Sometimes that means eating as little as possible, but I am surprisingly energetic. It must be the rage and anxiety that have given me energy. I am surprised to find that I can read documents in Latin (when they are written neatly) and that my ability to read the handwriting is either better than I thought or it is just easier because it is only in English or Latin rather than Czech, German or Latin. Although, I did have some trouble with one very neatly written document. I could not figure out what language it was in. I was becoming angry at my inability to read it until I poked around some more and learned it was in the Enochian language John Dee and Edward Kelley codified and that it was not exactly a language at all.
I have decided that concentrating on work is good for me. I get to see Sasha and Sheree here and there and George and I have been hanging out a bunch. He was amazingly kind when I had nowhere to live and put me up in his hotel for a night. I love seeing him again and I am trying to repay his favor with tours of London. He is an excellent travel companion.
I hate to be that American who wants the whole world to be like home, and I don’t think I am like that about everything, but I would love it if someone would tell the people in London to pick a side to walk to and stick to it. I don’t mind walking to the left (it makes sense considering that’s the way they drive) but there really doesn’t seem to be an order to walking and no one gives way. It doesn’t matter if they are walking 5 across, they will not move for the one person coming the other direction. So, I have taken to squaring my shoulders and plowing into them. I have gotten a few dirty looks, but really….if you wont move, why should I.
On a much brighter note, I have to say that the 2.5 mile walk to the Library everyday is quite nice. The temperature has been in the low to mid 70s and the sights are fun. I love seeing so many people biking everywhere! I also love the new little smart car coupes. They are adorable. I also have to say that this trip across the pond (despite my harrowing start) has been more pleasant as an American than previous trips have been. I met two Belgian women waiting for a bus and they asked if I was an American. Before I could really fully finish saying yes, they both breathlessly and with great enthusiasm said, “We love your president!” I simply replied, “sp do we,” with quite a bit of relief. I have never traveled outside the US when we had a good president. The other trips were always during the Bush years. I hope we can keep up this good will.
Well, that’s my update for now.
I have decided that concentrating on work is good for me. I get to see Sasha and Sheree here and there and George and I have been hanging out a bunch. He was amazingly kind when I had nowhere to live and put me up in his hotel for a night. I love seeing him again and I am trying to repay his favor with tours of London. He is an excellent travel companion.
I hate to be that American who wants the whole world to be like home, and I don’t think I am like that about everything, but I would love it if someone would tell the people in London to pick a side to walk to and stick to it. I don’t mind walking to the left (it makes sense considering that’s the way they drive) but there really doesn’t seem to be an order to walking and no one gives way. It doesn’t matter if they are walking 5 across, they will not move for the one person coming the other direction. So, I have taken to squaring my shoulders and plowing into them. I have gotten a few dirty looks, but really….if you wont move, why should I.
On a much brighter note, I have to say that the 2.5 mile walk to the Library everyday is quite nice. The temperature has been in the low to mid 70s and the sights are fun. I love seeing so many people biking everywhere! I also love the new little smart car coupes. They are adorable. I also have to say that this trip across the pond (despite my harrowing start) has been more pleasant as an American than previous trips have been. I met two Belgian women waiting for a bus and they asked if I was an American. Before I could really fully finish saying yes, they both breathlessly and with great enthusiasm said, “We love your president!” I simply replied, “sp do we,” with quite a bit of relief. I have never traveled outside the US when we had a good president. The other trips were always during the Bush years. I hope we can keep up this good will.
Well, that’s my update for now.