Really sorry I’ve taken nearly two weeks to finally update you all on my time in London so far. I haven’t been in the writing mood I guess since I’ve been here, although that may be a stupid excuse since I’ve responded to most of your emails … anyway, where shall I begin. Thankfully, I’ve been keeping a quasi journal these past weeks ( thanks to ma for purchasing the journal) so in case I don’t recall EVERYTHING I’ve seen or done, I can always go back to it. Let’s forget all of the unnecessary details and just jump into the really interesting things I’ve discovered/experienced so far in ye old Great Britain. First off, the greatest memory I think I’ll have of Metrogate ( the building that I am living in in South Kensington) is that upon walking up the 3 steps into the beautiful building, I fell flat on my ass after the handle of the bigger of the two suitcases broke into literally pieces. The cab driver was nice enough to put my smaller one on the doorstep and left me struggling with the huge black suitcase that held the bulk of my belongings up the steps. I made it to the second step before the handle tore apart in my hands and forced me to fall down back onto the pavement. Immediately, I looked around to see if anyone else saw me, the stupid american, awkwardly fall backwards onto her bum ( British term ) and once I noticed the coast was clear I smiled and wiped myself off. Unfortunately, my embarrassing moment was seen by the receptionist working inside Metrogate at the time and he politely came outside and helped me drag the remains of my suitcase into the building. A great welcome to London, if I do say so myself.
*** ( ** = little facts learned of British life/culture through personal experience) NEVER GIVE CAB DRIVERS TIPS. It isn’t a part of the culture here. Mind you, I gave my driver a 5 pound tip. Foolish, foolish American is what he was thinking I am sure.
The following day we had an early wake up call- 10 AM ( 5 hour time difference took a few days to get used to), so you can imagine how excited I was to go on a bus tour of London. Woo. However, once I met our tour guide, Jan, any qualms about the day I had immediately disappeared. She is an adorable old woman with, of course, the most brilliant British accent. What I liked most about her was that every time we got off the bus to take pictures or get a better look around, she would walk very quickly in front of all of us with her yellow, Mary Poppins umbrella held up high so you would never lose her in a crowd. ( I say it was Mary Poppins because the handle was a goose head- how British)
*** Pub life is very laid back. No one goes to a pub to get drunk ( that is what a bar is for, duh). Instead, people go there to meet up for a pint as a way of winding down after a grueling day of work.
*** DON’T TIP AT PUBS. You order and pay at the bar. Yes, they bring the food to you, but it isn’t customary to tip. We did stupidly the first night we went out.
*** PS Fish and Chips is amazing, and everyone must try it. Plain and simple.
That Saturday, we went on a walking tour around Kensington to get to know the history of the area a little better as well as build a better understanding direction wise. Once again, Jan was our lovely tour guide. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are probably the best part about living in Kensington. Both parks are extremely close to where I am living and are just too beautiful to avoid going to at least once a week. ( that is, once it gets warmer, I plan on going more often)
That evening, I had my first ‘tube’ experience and was very pleased with how easy it was. The underground is remarkably similar to both the D.C. metro and NYC subway- easy to figure out and very organized. My friends and I paid a visit to Piccadilly Circus which reminded me too much of Times Square.
*** The Tate Modern is very much like the MOMA in NYC. Beautiful modern art including one of my favorites– Andy Warhol. There are new exhibits nearly every month. I got through 2/3 of it so far. Definitely a great place to go when the weather is awful.
My favorite part of ‘ The City’ ( main part of London where it is most busy ) is probably the Millennium Bridge, so far, simply because of its unique structure and great views of the London Bridge and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
*** At restaurants, only leave a 10% tip; they don’t expect anything more.
*** If you want your check, you have to flag the waiter/waitress down. Unlike America, they don’t rush you out of the restaurant. You can take your time.
*** Remember, they drive on the opposite side of the street, so before crossing, even at a crosswalk, be careful. There are hardly any Stop signs in London. Cars and buses tend to whiz by.
Last weekend we ventured to East London ( East Aldgate to be exact) and explored the less touristy side of London. Although it appeared a bit dodgy ( ha) at first, I soon realized how comfortable I felt walking around, even at night. East London reminded me a lot of U street in D.C. The architecture was very old and full of Victorian styled buildings and the people were just there to have fun and get drunk; didn’t feel nervous or in danger at all. People go there to have a genuinely good time at one of the local cafe’s or clubs… and pee against buildings or in abandoned parks. Jolly good time!
*** PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS = COMMON. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found beer cans on the tube or ran into a perfectly normal person drinking a bottle disclosed ( sometimes not) in a paper bag.
*** DRINKING AGE=18 
enough said.
* More to come soon 
