Heatwave in London
Yesterday wasn't very eventful. We did explore a bit and caught a few buses. It seemed a bit weird that no matter how far we went, we were still in Westinster. I guess that london is just bigger than what I thought. We went past Park Lane and Mayfair, and ended up at Notting Hill Gate (where they did the movie, but we couldn't remember or find any locations...) and we walked around a bit and bought a crap ice cream from a place claiming to have the best ice cream in London. What me gullible? Some of their newspapers also make the claim that they are the Newspaper of the Year as well. I did find out though that there is aplace called Winchester here. We walked back to Queensway and headed down to Bayswater. We didn't really walk with any destination in mind, so I should probably say that we walked to Queensway and turned down a main street and then found ourselves in Bayswater. We stopped in Tesco's (another supermarket) along the way and bought a Sprite to quench our thirst. As it was starting to get dark (around 9ish) we decided to head back. On the bus we changed our minds and got off at Paddington and thought that we might be able to catch the tube back to Victoria as that would be quicker. We went into the station and found some Paddington Bear stuff, and that the tube back to Victoria was suspended due to the bombings last week. So, back to the bus stop we went and came back to Victoria.
Today, Vodafone finally fixed my International Roaming (they said it was done a couple of weeks ago, and my online account said it was done, but they replied back to me and said that it apparently wasn't done yet. So I can now send and receive SMS's again. We're going to also have to research options for a local mobile number for something more affordable and something for the locals (and recruitment companies) to contact us on. We went to the library today to print some stuff out (see other blog entry) and then we went to meet Tam's school friend Agnes at Leicester Square. We were a bit early so we went and bought a meal deal each from Boots (a pharmacy), which consists of a sarnie, drink and snack for 2 pounds 70. The sandwiches weren't as nice as the ones from Marks and Spencer. Agnes has also just moved to London to look for work, but had been studying at Portsmouth for about 3 years already. She took us to Chinatown first where she showed us where to get some good deals on phonecards. Typical Chinatown, never pay RRP. We got a 5 pound phonecard for 3 pounds 50. Agnes then took us to see some recruitment agencies to find out about any possible work. They seemed nice and friendly but couldn't really help us as Tam and I aren't available straight away (we have a side-trip to Rome lined up already in early August), and told us to email our CVs in and contact them when we can start working. We then did the tourist thing. We walked up Oxford Street and then caught a bus and then changed to a train (as it was so slow and hot - Tam says she's even got a tan) to the Tower of London, where we took some happy snaps. We walked along the Thames down Bankside and took some more photos of the Tower Bridge (very nice), London Bridge (the one that's falling down, which is very very ordinary), and Shakespeare's Globe. On the Tower Bridge, a group of latin guys walked up to me and asked me something. I didn't understand what they were saying (don't know if they were speaking English or not). What I think I heard them ask was "Are you impotent?". Good thing I said no and shook my head. Starbucks is bloody everywhere here. We must have past about 10 today. Naturally, we had to stop in for a caramel frappuccino as it was so bloody hot. We then made our way over the Millenium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral and took some more photos. Then it was time to go. And we learnt a lesson today. Try not to catch the tube (in hot weather) at peak hour. We had to catch the second train that came as the first was packt likes sardines (probably due to some lines not being active due to the bombings). We pushed our way onto the train and was caught in the moshpit-like sauna. We got off one station too early (which happened to be alright as it's still close to where we're staying) and had trouble getting out through the packed carriage. Some guy even wished me luck when he saw us trying to get off the train.
Thanks to Agnes for spending the day with us and taking us to places. It was very nice to meet you. We'll catch up again soon and keep you informed of what we're doing.
Today, Vodafone finally fixed my International Roaming (they said it was done a couple of weeks ago, and my online account said it was done, but they replied back to me and said that it apparently wasn't done yet. So I can now send and receive SMS's again. We're going to also have to research options for a local mobile number for something more affordable and something for the locals (and recruitment companies) to contact us on. We went to the library today to print some stuff out (see other blog entry) and then we went to meet Tam's school friend Agnes at Leicester Square. We were a bit early so we went and bought a meal deal each from Boots (a pharmacy), which consists of a sarnie, drink and snack for 2 pounds 70. The sandwiches weren't as nice as the ones from Marks and Spencer. Agnes has also just moved to London to look for work, but had been studying at Portsmouth for about 3 years already. She took us to Chinatown first where she showed us where to get some good deals on phonecards. Typical Chinatown, never pay RRP. We got a 5 pound phonecard for 3 pounds 50. Agnes then took us to see some recruitment agencies to find out about any possible work. They seemed nice and friendly but couldn't really help us as Tam and I aren't available straight away (we have a side-trip to Rome lined up already in early August), and told us to email our CVs in and contact them when we can start working. We then did the tourist thing. We walked up Oxford Street and then caught a bus and then changed to a train (as it was so slow and hot - Tam says she's even got a tan) to the Tower of London, where we took some happy snaps. We walked along the Thames down Bankside and took some more photos of the Tower Bridge (very nice), London Bridge (the one that's falling down, which is very very ordinary), and Shakespeare's Globe. On the Tower Bridge, a group of latin guys walked up to me and asked me something. I didn't understand what they were saying (don't know if they were speaking English or not). What I think I heard them ask was "Are you impotent?". Good thing I said no and shook my head. Starbucks is bloody everywhere here. We must have past about 10 today. Naturally, we had to stop in for a caramel frappuccino as it was so bloody hot. We then made our way over the Millenium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral and took some more photos. Then it was time to go. And we learnt a lesson today. Try not to catch the tube (in hot weather) at peak hour. We had to catch the second train that came as the first was packt likes sardines (probably due to some lines not being active due to the bombings). We pushed our way onto the train and was caught in the moshpit-like sauna. We got off one station too early (which happened to be alright as it's still close to where we're staying) and had trouble getting out through the packed carriage. Some guy even wished me luck when he saw us trying to get off the train.
Thanks to Agnes for spending the day with us and taking us to places. It was very nice to meet you. We'll catch up again soon and keep you informed of what we're doing.
posted by tamanddes at
4:55 PM
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