Oh my god - I jut spent WAY too long trying to get home. I get on a bus, bus number 55. We go 2 stops then I realize that we are stopped at a stop and that the driver has turned off the engine. The bus is full and everyone is wondering what is going on. I am sitting on the top because I have a while to go on the bus and the view from the top is way better than being smushed and grasping for you balance on the bottom.
So this chick comes up the stairs and says that the bus driver isn't moving till one of the boys who just got on pays his fare (he had tried to sneak on without paying and apparently this driver wasn't gonna have it). She goes back down and the group of misfit London boys in the back of the bus start to argue with everyone. Then the driver comes up and says he isn't moving till they pay, and that he called the police and they were on their way to escort him off.
Oh my god!! It costs 1 pound 10 pence for the love of god!! We end up sitting there for EVER - and they boys finally get off the bus. So I am thinking that all is well and good and I am finally on my way home again. But no, about 4 stops up the driver pulls over then comes up saying that he is in trouble with his boss and he has to ask us all to get off and transfer us to another bus. Are you kidding me?! I have NO idea where I am, and those of you who know me know that I suck ass with directions and that I sorta freak out when I am lost.
So there we all are, standing out in the now-starting-to-get-cold weather waiting for another 55 bus to come along. And wouldn't you know it, the first one that comes along is totally packed and can't take any more people. So we all stand around for a good 20 min then some other bus comes and the majority of the people get on it. I don't, however, because I don't know where it goes and I don't want to get even more lost. Luckily there is another girl still standing there as well. Our old driver says he can drop us off at Angel Station (sorta near my house) but that he isn't doing the route so he can't bring us to the exact stop we need.
I say ok and we get on. I am dropped off at Angel, at a stop that I wasn't familiar with. I followed my instincts (which are sometimes right, surprisingly enough) and make it to the tube station. Of course the line I need is out of service for the weekend, and I have no idea what bus to take to get going the right way. So I decide that now is a good time for a hot chocolate. I go to the Art to Zen Cafe and warm up a bit. The only way I really know for sure how to get home from Angel is to walk along the canal. So I head in that direction. It wasn't that bad - seeing as it wasn't too late yet. I finally make it home without accomplishing 1/2 of what I was planning on.
What a day!
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
An Outing with Stef
So today Stef and I decided to go shopping at Oxford Circus. The Northern Line for the Tube is shut down all weekend, so we took the bus. It's kind of nice sitting on the top and being above ground. At least my boogers won't be black today, haha.
OMG! It was SO crowded there. It gets to a point where you can't even breathe without running into someone or having someone stop short right in front of you. Ugh. But the trip wasn't for nothing - Stef got some cute jeans and I got a warm jacket. :)
As we are waiting for our bus for our return trip - the delirium sets in. We are waiting for the bus and start to sing.. "Due due, due due due", because we want the bus to be due - obviously. At the bus stops here they have an electronic sign with the wait time for each bus, and when it should be there it says "due". Anyways, as we are waiting and singing we notice a guy across the street. He walks up to a bunch of tied, full, black trash bags on the curb. They are obviously out there waiting to be picked up by the "rubbish man". But this guy goes over to them and proceeds to feel up the 3 bags nearest to him. And yes, I do mean feel up. Both hands, grasping and caressing the black plastic. He then stands up for a second, shifts from one foot to the other, then picks up not one, not two, but THREE of the bags of trash. He carefully positions them in his hands and walks quickly away.
When Stef and I finally got on the bus we had to endure the most annoying high pitched ringing you have ever heard. Ok, well maybe not ever - but it was pretty darn close. Then as we were walking home we saw some cute little Brit kids dressed up for Halloween. And as we were walking by we heard one of them say "I'm American!"
OMG! It was SO crowded there. It gets to a point where you can't even breathe without running into someone or having someone stop short right in front of you. Ugh. But the trip wasn't for nothing - Stef got some cute jeans and I got a warm jacket. :)
As we are waiting for our bus for our return trip - the delirium sets in. We are waiting for the bus and start to sing.. "Due due, due due due", because we want the bus to be due - obviously. At the bus stops here they have an electronic sign with the wait time for each bus, and when it should be there it says "due". Anyways, as we are waiting and singing we notice a guy across the street. He walks up to a bunch of tied, full, black trash bags on the curb. They are obviously out there waiting to be picked up by the "rubbish man". But this guy goes over to them and proceeds to feel up the 3 bags nearest to him. And yes, I do mean feel up. Both hands, grasping and caressing the black plastic. He then stands up for a second, shifts from one foot to the other, then picks up not one, not two, but THREE of the bags of trash. He carefully positions them in his hands and walks quickly away.
When Stef and I finally got on the bus we had to endure the most annoying high pitched ringing you have ever heard. Ok, well maybe not ever - but it was pretty darn close. Then as we were walking home we saw some cute little Brit kids dressed up for Halloween. And as we were walking by we heard one of them say "I'm American!"
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Chips vs Crisps
Alright, so in the UK when you say "chips" you are referring to what Americans know to be fries. And when you say "crisps" you are referring to what Americans know to be chips. Confused yet? Well get ready to be perplexed and maybe even a little weirded out. In the States we have a chip brand called Lays. Everyone knows Lays, the yellow circle with the red swoosh through it with the word Lays on top (Lays, Get Your Smile On!).
Anyways, here in the UK they have a crisp brand exactaly like Lays, except it is called Walkers. They have your 'normal' flavors like Barbecue, Ready Salted, and Salt & Vinegar. Then they also have some questionable flavors that seem a bit odd but still may be considered intriguing to try, like Cheese & Onion. But then they go off into weirdness land with these following flavors (and no, I am not kidding.):
Beef & Onion
Heinz Tomato Ketchup (yes really, the bag really says this)
Marmite Yeast Extract (I have no idea what this means)
Pickled Onion (just eww. And Anne actually tried this one and almost tossed her cookies)
Prawn Cocktail (another one Anne has tried, but she said this one was actually alright)
Roast Chicken
Smoky Bacon
Worcester Sauce
(Check out their web site if you don't believe me http://walkers.corpex.com/cr15p5/products.asp?snacktypeid=26. The flavors are on the left hand side)
They also have a meal called - Bangers and Mash - which is sausage and mashed potatoes.
And bacon here is what we in the states know to be "Canadian bacon".
Just some food fact fun for you straight from the UK!
Anyways, here in the UK they have a crisp brand exactaly like Lays, except it is called Walkers. They have your 'normal' flavors like Barbecue, Ready Salted, and Salt & Vinegar. Then they also have some questionable flavors that seem a bit odd but still may be considered intriguing to try, like Cheese & Onion. But then they go off into weirdness land with these following flavors (and no, I am not kidding.):
Beef & Onion
Heinz Tomato Ketchup (yes really, the bag really says this)
Marmite Yeast Extract (I have no idea what this means)
Pickled Onion (just eww. And Anne actually tried this one and almost tossed her cookies)
Prawn Cocktail (another one Anne has tried, but she said this one was actually alright)
Roast Chicken
Smoky Bacon
Worcester Sauce
(Check out their web site if you don't believe me http://walkers.corpex.com/cr15p5/products.asp?snacktypeid=26. The flavors are on the left hand side)
They also have a meal called - Bangers and Mash - which is sausage and mashed potatoes.
And bacon here is what we in the states know to be "Canadian bacon".
Just some food fact fun for you straight from the UK!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Dungeon Day
Ok, we just got this group pic from the London Dungeon scanned, so now I can post it! Isn't it great! I'm not quite sure how we decided that Anne was to be the one we all killed ... 
Being a tourist is fun!
Ok- so I have decided that it is time for one of those touristy blogs. But don't worry, it'll be mostly pictures and not a lot of boring commentary...
This colorful bloke is one of the many merchants at the Portabello Markets in Knotting Hill.
A stand selling horns at the Portabello Markets.
Me in front of the bookstore in the movie Knotting Hill - you know the one, with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Yummy, fresh baked bread!
It's the Antique Road Show!! He made the switch, was it a good choice??
Even the bikes get a green light here.
Big Ben
Keychain or magnet anyone?
The London Eye. I have yet to go on this, but I will soon!
Notice the words... "This is not a photo opportunity"
The classic red double decker bus.
Sign for the London Underground- the Tube.
Me in the London Dungeon.
That's all for now!
This colorful bloke is one of the many merchants at the Portabello Markets in Knotting Hill.
A stand selling horns at the Portabello Markets.
Me in front of the bookstore in the movie Knotting Hill - you know the one, with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Yummy, fresh baked bread!
It's the Antique Road Show!! He made the switch, was it a good choice??
Even the bikes get a green light here.
Big Ben
Keychain or magnet anyone?
The London Eye. I have yet to go on this, but I will soon!
Notice the words... "This is not a photo opportunity"
The classic red double decker bus.
Sign for the London Underground- the Tube.
Me in the London Dungeon.
That's all for now!
Monday, October 24, 2005
A Williams Weekend
This past weekend Annie ventured into London to kick it with us. We had so much fun! It all started with an early end to the day on Friday with all the girly catch-up one could dream of. Then it was a quick change into our professional attire and off to the tv spot that we were all volunteering to be in. It was for an awareness campaign for the UN for a condition call Fistula that happens to women in underdeveloped countries. It was a long night of sitting there listening to "professional extras" flirt with each other and think they were cool. (yes, they were really extras for their job. That's all they do)
Afterwards Renetta met us and took us out to dinner - fabulous! I decided to go into the world of seafood and got the Salmon, and it was fantastic! We had some good Australian wine and of course some good times. haha I got the cheesecake for dessert, and it was alright ... but those of you who know me know that I am some what of a cheesecake snob, and I have had better.
Saturday we went to the London Dungeon... for their Halloween Spectacular!
Despite the long wait in line - it was worth it. Hey Annie, what do you think about waiting in lines?
And not to worry - for those of you who remember Annie's Halloween costume last year ... she was welcomed at the dungeon's toilets!
Quite funny
After the dungeon we decided to do what any normal person would... go shopping! We went to Oxford Circus, which is a big area with more shops than you can count (even if you use your toes). We caught the bus back to Islington (our hood) and rode on the top deck. I recommend it to anyone who has he chance, riding on the top is relaxing and fun. We stopped off and got 7" pizza each for only 1 pound! (that's almost $2 for you Americans, haha). We then headed home to get ready to go out and celebrate Annie's last night in London.
We ended up playing some drinking games at home and some of our Australian friends came over to join us. The language differences came out and being that we were all wasted, it was quite funny. For instance, they don't say "period" for that little dot that ends a sentence. Instead they say "full stop". Bonkers isn't it?
We met up with one of Beau's friends at the club called Livingroom. Here are some memories in the making...
Afterwards Renetta met us and took us out to dinner - fabulous! I decided to go into the world of seafood and got the Salmon, and it was fantastic! We had some good Australian wine and of course some good times. haha I got the cheesecake for dessert, and it was alright ... but those of you who know me know that I am some what of a cheesecake snob, and I have had better.
Saturday we went to the London Dungeon... for their Halloween Spectacular!
Despite the long wait in line - it was worth it. Hey Annie, what do you think about waiting in lines?
And not to worry - for those of you who remember Annie's Halloween costume last year ... she was welcomed at the dungeon's toilets!
Quite funny
After the dungeon we decided to do what any normal person would... go shopping! We went to Oxford Circus, which is a big area with more shops than you can count (even if you use your toes). We caught the bus back to Islington (our hood) and rode on the top deck. I recommend it to anyone who has he chance, riding on the top is relaxing and fun. We stopped off and got 7" pizza each for only 1 pound! (that's almost $2 for you Americans, haha). We then headed home to get ready to go out and celebrate Annie's last night in London.
We ended up playing some drinking games at home and some of our Australian friends came over to join us. The language differences came out and being that we were all wasted, it was quite funny. For instance, they don't say "period" for that little dot that ends a sentence. Instead they say "full stop". Bonkers isn't it?
We met up with one of Beau's friends at the club called Livingroom. Here are some memories in the making...
Friday, October 21, 2005
Toilets
Ok - quick random rant about the bathrooms here, or as they like to call it "toilets". Don't you think restroom or even bathroom sounds so much better than toilet? To me toilet seems so, gross almost. I mean, why do you have to name the item that you are about to go and use? It leads one to paint a not-so-nice picture in their head.
Also, what is up with the whole double door thing here? You go to the "toilet" and you go through the first door and enter the world's smallest (and most pointless) room in which you have to open another door before you actually reach the toilets. I asked a friend of mine and he suggested that that little room was perhaps a smell-trapping chamber. Gross thought, but interesting.
Also, what is up with the whole double door thing here? You go to the "toilet" and you go through the first door and enter the world's smallest (and most pointless) room in which you have to open another door before you actually reach the toilets. I asked a friend of mine and he suggested that that little room was perhaps a smell-trapping chamber. Gross thought, but interesting.
Monday, October 17, 2005
From Wagamama to House Parties
On Friday night we were all just about as fed up with the London transportation system as we could be. We had to travel over to Leo for our last class of the week and two of the major Tube lines were closed. So we had to squeeze ourselves into buses and tubes like poor little sardines to get there. Then class lasts a big hour and a half. So we decide we are hungry and begin the neverending (seemingly so) journey back to Angel Station. I timed, and it literally took us an hour and 13 minutes to make it back to our flat from Leo. Good Lord!
We head over to Angel and go to this awesome Asian Noodle place for dinner called Wagamama. We try to look for this pub/club called Living Room, but can't seem to find it so we end up at a college feel pub called Smile (i think). Here is a pic of Stef and Anne with one of their weird beer flyers...
Yes, those are kittens on that beer pitcher ad.
On Saturday night Stef, Erica and myself make our way to a house party. Again, the commute there was anything but fun. We did have a few shared beers on the way though to ease the pain. No one cares if you drink on the Tube, how brilliant is that?!
This is Erica and I at the party - which was awesome. They had a real burning campfire in the backyard, complete with logs to sit on and everything. There was even a Dj inside with lights and a fog machine, and this guy..
Yes, that is Erica's hat he is wearing and no, I have no idea what dance move he is attempting. But it was his birthday, so I guess he is entitled to do whatever he pleases.
Then the mic was overtaken by London's very own version of Kanye West... complete with Viking horn hat.
And the night closes with this classic shot of Stef and Erica ... is that a Carlsberg in your hand?
Overall, I would say that it was a sucessful weekend in London. :)
We head over to Angel and go to this awesome Asian Noodle place for dinner called Wagamama. We try to look for this pub/club called Living Room, but can't seem to find it so we end up at a college feel pub called Smile (i think). Here is a pic of Stef and Anne with one of their weird beer flyers...
Yes, those are kittens on that beer pitcher ad.
On Saturday night Stef, Erica and myself make our way to a house party. Again, the commute there was anything but fun. We did have a few shared beers on the way though to ease the pain. No one cares if you drink on the Tube, how brilliant is that?!
This is Erica and I at the party - which was awesome. They had a real burning campfire in the backyard, complete with logs to sit on and everything. There was even a Dj inside with lights and a fog machine, and this guy..
Yes, that is Erica's hat he is wearing and no, I have no idea what dance move he is attempting. But it was his birthday, so I guess he is entitled to do whatever he pleases.
Then the mic was overtaken by London's very own version of Kanye West... complete with Viking horn hat.
And the night closes with this classic shot of Stef and Erica ... is that a Carlsberg in your hand?
Overall, I would say that it was a sucessful weekend in London. :)
Sunday, October 16, 2005
The Miami Girls in London
Stef, me, and Anne chilling at one of London's nightclubs - Fabric. I've noticed that club names here are quite odd compared to names in Miami. I walked by one called Medicine the other day. Brilliant.
Moving into the flat
Here I am, in London! I am living in a flat with 5 other girls and only one bathroom. I know, it sounds like trouble, but actually it's not that bad. The living area is pretty big and then there are 2 bedrooms with 3 girls in each. I am rooming with my 2 good friends from Miami - Anne and Stefenie. So far it's been good times, except for the oddly sized Ikea beds. We were told to bring full size sheets, but had a heck of a time trying to balance (because they are lofted like 8 feet above the floor) and squeeze on the fitted sheet to the "mattress" (which is more like a box spring and mattress combination that failed horribly) which is slightly larger than a US full size. Just enough bigger that it is frustrating. But other than that the flat is pretty cool.
We go to Saatchi & Saatchi everyday for class and are working on plenty of briefs. We try to fit in as much sight seeing on the weekends as we can. We went to Big Ben already and are planning a trip to Stone Henge. We also want to go to the London Dungeon nearer to Halloween. I have been to these awesome outdoor markets and bought way too many necklaces ... but they are so pretty!
Getting around in London is exhausting. We have about a 45 min one way trip to and from Saatchi everyday. We have to catch a bus to the Tube station, then take the tube to another station where we get on a different line, then we finally arrive at our last stop and walk about 3 blocks or so to Saatchi. I don't think I have every walked up and down so many stairs in my life. I better have some amazing looking legs after these 3 months! And in the Tube they don't seem to have heard of air or ventilation. It is freaking hot on those trains. And they really do jam pack people in there! I get to work and I feel like my morning shower was almost pointless because I have sweat so much in the commute. But we are getting more and more used to it and pretty soon we'll all be Tube pros. :)
I will be adding some pictures of everyone soon!
We go to Saatchi & Saatchi everyday for class and are working on plenty of briefs. We try to fit in as much sight seeing on the weekends as we can. We went to Big Ben already and are planning a trip to Stone Henge. We also want to go to the London Dungeon nearer to Halloween. I have been to these awesome outdoor markets and bought way too many necklaces ... but they are so pretty!
Getting around in London is exhausting. We have about a 45 min one way trip to and from Saatchi everyday. We have to catch a bus to the Tube station, then take the tube to another station where we get on a different line, then we finally arrive at our last stop and walk about 3 blocks or so to Saatchi. I don't think I have every walked up and down so many stairs in my life. I better have some amazing looking legs after these 3 months! And in the Tube they don't seem to have heard of air or ventilation. It is freaking hot on those trains. And they really do jam pack people in there! I get to work and I feel like my morning shower was almost pointless because I have sweat so much in the commute. But we are getting more and more used to it and pretty soon we'll all be Tube pros. :)
I will be adding some pictures of everyone soon!
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