Melissa In Londontown

Across The City

It’s been more than three weeks now that I’ve been in London. I’m not going to lie; I thought that I would have a place and some leads for a job by now….alas that is not the case. After Amanda left last Friday, I went to a hostel near Kensington Gardens for the weekend. I spend most of my time at Caffe Nero and the evenings in the park. One night I was sitting right by the palace reading my book, because I could! It was quite windy that night, but that didn’t matter. I also went to the pub with Alanna and John to see the England vs Sweden football match! Which was fun! England of course won! I also went out for a walk with my friend from Australia, Kaylin (a fellow Austenite) through Kensington and Knightsbridge, which was lovely. Sunday I went to see a flat in Willesden Green. The room was good, but the area was a bit sketchy. So that was a no! Monday I woke up feeling terrible. My body was achy, my nose was stuffed, and my head hurt. It’s been four days and I’m still recovering, I’ve kind of lost my voice too now. I’ve never drank this much tea before and probably used rolls and rolls of toilet paper. No matter where you are, being sick, even if it’s a cold, it sucks!

I’m currently in Walthamstow, which is on the east side of the city, with John’s (Alanna’s Fiancé) parents and sister Marianne. They have been so nice and friendly to me and so thankful that they allowed me in to their home. Marianne and I both have a love for Jane Austen, Downton Abbey and so much more! Naturally we get on great! She’s even getting me into even more TV shows! Which I don’t need, because I already have so many, but they’re both about lawyers! And no show on my list revolves around lawyers…so there justified! Wait, Marshall from How I Met Your Mother is a lawyer; Mitchell from Modern Family is a lawyer, and Raj’s sister on The Big Bang Theory is a lawyer (but that doesn’t really count cuz, SPOILER ALERT, she’s not on it anymore). But they all don’t really count, because the shows don’t really, hardly ever, focus on them being a lawyer (kind of)….so let’s just forget about it and let me watch my new shows!

Anywho…last night I went to another viewing, in Acton (where Amanda and I stayed last week). Unfortunately, Acton is on the West side of London and I’m on the East side. My appointment was around 7:45pm and so I left Walthamstow at 6:15 to catch the bus to the tube. I got in Acton at 7:40, saw the room and talked for 15 minutes and then left. I did not get back home until 9:30! Yup, I traveled for three hours for a fifteen minute viewing! Well, I did get on the wrong bus when I got home, but still, ridiculous!

I haven’t been doing any traveling or touristy lately. 1. Because I am still sick and 2. I’m focusing on looking for a job and a flat. But I do have some places in mind I want to see, Kew Palace, Oxford/Cambridge, Hampton Court Palace etc. and Kaylin and I are planning on going to the Jane Austen House hopefully soon!

That’s pretty much it for me at the moment. Till next time!

PS. Here is a photo of me, back in March (I know it doesn’t look like this in Canada during this time, but it was just abnormally hot!) when I first handed in my pre-VISA application!