- Posted by:
- anjci
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- Everyday musings, London
The plane on Friday afternoon was running an entire 2-hours late, and all “victims” were entitled to a 5 LVL meal voucher. I had some fruit salad and a fresh fruit squeeze at Riga airport’s LIDO restaurant. Lovely, but I would probably prefer my plane on time, thank you very much…
My shoulders were aching badly after carrying the famous 80 kilos from London Victoria to the Whitechapel Tube station. I wonder why the London Underground has so many upstais-leading stairs. Thanks to all “real” gentlemen who offered and provided help on my across-London commute. I would have felt even more sick and exhausted now, had you not been there.
My first night in London was at the place of my good friend’s brother, Cyrille. Very French: I got the host’s bed for the night. The host was sleeping in the room next door (obviously). My brain was too worn out by the long journey to think. Zzzz.
On Saturday, I call some real estate agents to try and find a flat. The first few are not very promising: flats only become available in late July or even later. Too bad. Suddenly, an interesting offer emerges in my most preferred location, Stratford. Can I make it in the next 20 minutes? Certainly. First look at the flat, love at first sight, may I please have the place? Certainly, but please pay a 3-month deposit or find a UK-based guarantor. Ok. I will have the flat. 2 hours of negotiations, contract settled, yes! I have a flat in London as of tomorrow. Gerry Raffles Square, reasonably priced 1-bed, 3 minutes walk to Stratford Tube station. Perfect? Oh yes.
Birthday party at a good friend’s from Frankfurt/Main on Saturday night. So bizarre to meet up in London. Other guests are from Alaska, Sweden and Iran/Canada. Excuse me? I thought a Russian-speaking Latvian having studied in a Swedish-speaking school in Finland was international enough. Start getting used to London, my dear!
Today, lunch on Covent Garden, courtesy of Cyrille. Thank you! The 3-month deposit depletes all my GBP reserves at least until 25th July. Walk around Paddington, swim at Porchester Leisure Centre, 2-hour walk from Bayswater to London Victoria. I am a walking freak, I know.
Tomorrow: my first training day! London will officially become my home, ladies and gentlemen!
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