Day of spending

I went shopping today.

I bought new jeans, a bag, a fifteen pound umbrella (coz my other one broke) and then lunch.
After lunch we headed into town on the tube. Totenham Court today. Nice area, Id like to go back. There are heaps of electronic stores all down the street. After walked around for a while we came to Forbidden Planet. I could have spent all day there, happily. Nicola, as expected, didn't want to be there longer than a quick browse. We compromised :) We spent about 40 mins there. There where graphic novels of all the old 2000AD stories.. you know 'ABC Warriors, Nemesis, Judge Dredd...' the list goes on. That was one little section on the ground level. The DC and Marvel sections where much bigger. There where titles I've never heard of and wicked editions of everything else. I didn't even have time to check out the Anime section. Upstairs featured all the toys. There where more pop culture and comic based toys here than Ive ever seen in one place before. I ended up buying 2 comics and an Orc Shaman figurine :D pretty cool stuff. I will return, perhaps without Nicola ;)

Returning home we took the same route as yesterday, but this time was nowhere near as congested as then and a lot more pleasant. When we got back to Wimbledon Station we got some stuff from a South African shop, I got a huge boreworse roll and a Fanta Grape and a packet of Provita biscuits.

This weekend we're thinking of going to Buckingham Palace and/or the London Eye. Lets hope the weather holds up!

what a day

This morning we set out to see a couple of flats wearing shorts and tee shirts, the sun was shining and it was nice and hot. Once in Wimbledon shopping center, we turned around and set out for home again to get something and burn some time until the landlord was ready to meet us. By the time we'd walked home (5 mins), it had turned overcast. So I changed into jeans and grabbed a jacket. We set out again to see the flat.
The landlord was a strange looking dark man in a suit and a bowler hat. He had an unusual accent and an unusual way about him. The place he showed us was a smallish flat with six people living in it and we would have made it eight... with only one bathroom! The kitchen was old and scummy looking and the place wasn't all that cost effective -not bad, but not great. He saw our disinterest and told us about another room just next door. We walked into this other house and had a look.
This was a copy of the other place with six people living there, except this kitchen was newer and clean. There where two bathrooms and two separate toilets. Our bedroom was smaller than the first one, but is big enough for us. There was no real lounge or living area and we didn't really get to meet the potential flatmate's. The good things about this place is that it is very close to Wimbledon (tube station, supermarkets, movies, hairdressers, bars, pubs, fastfood and restaurants..) and the rent for the room was very cheap.
Nicola reacted positively to this place, perhaps we'll take it.
After that we went into Oxford Circus by tube to look at some clothes for me to wear to work starting Monday. By the time we got off the tube, it was raining. Luckily there was a very enterprising man selling umbrellas just there so I bought one.

First thing we did in town was stop to eat. We found a very authentic Italian Restaurant called Bella Italia. Nicola had a pizza and I got the spaghetti bolognese. Both dishes and the ambiance where very good.
Satisfied and less rushed, we set out to shop. We walked up and down the bustling street popping into this clothes store and that until I found some pants and shirts that where adequate, and called it a day.
We walked back to the tube station under the umbrella, dodging the spines from all the other umbrellas and came across a long line. The line to get into underground was almost around the street corner and all the way down the stairs. Once we made it into the station we parted company. I was headed back to Alex's and Nicola was going to a Comedy club in Central London with some of her friends.

The tube ride was something else.

The lines moving down into the underground where long and moved very slowly.
The lines waiting for the trains where long. There where hooligans fighting and security dealing with them. Once on the train, we where all sardines in a can. It was so packed, I couldn't even reach a handle to steady myself against the sudden g-forces of stop and start. It was very hot and muggy. At each stop, people spilled out into the underground and where speedily replaced by more people than there where to begin with. I felt like I truly was in the rat race for the first time. I reached my stop and had to get onto another train to get back to Alex's. The lines where just as long and more people yelling and fighting. This train was just as packed, but I grabbed a better spot. After a few stations went by, I noticed a quiet voice on the intercom telling us that this train will not be going to Wimbledon because of a gas leak somewhere. Great! Now I would have to figure out buses.. or call Alex to come get me from wherever I would end up. After a few more stops we where informed that the leak was cleared up and we would in fact be ending up in Wimbledon... yay!
When I finally reached Wimbledon Station, I was very relieved to get off the train and walk in the rain back home.
Bangers and mash for dinner and a couple of beers and here I am warm and content telling you all about it. Nicola should be home soon, maybe we'll watch a movie or something.

Good news

Went to see a flat today. It was ok, quite expensive; in a very convenient area, but a little scummy if you walk down the road. I'm not sure if we'll take it or not. We said we'd call them to let them know.

On the way back home we had our first Kebab from London. It was quite nice I must say, but we bought it from a fairly dodgy takeaway... Chavs hanging around the entrance and tabloids laid out to read while eating. It was nice though and I'm still full, so good value for 3 pounds.
We checked up on the movie times for Ironman. Tonight I'll finally get to see it, I'm sure of it!

Back home I decided to sign up to job sites as I hadn't heard back from the job from the other day. So I went through all the malarkey of signing up and researched starting my own company for contracting and compared that to signing up under an umbrella corporation...
Suddenly I got a call from the guy, it would seem the job is mine if I want it. Nice one Glen! All I have to do now is go in and negotiate my pay and contract.

Ill let you know how it goes :)

Lazy Monday

Today started with me waking up late and rolling out of bed to find everyone milling around in their PJs. Its a bank holliday and the weather is fairly dark and wet. I've spend the day on my laptop and played a computer game or two for the first time since arriving. Its now about 6 in the evening and its still rainy and gloomy and I havent been outside at all yet.
Nicola said she was going to go to a thing today where they roll a big cheese wheel down a hill and everyone chases it. Hope she hasnt gotten too wet and cold. Im looking forward to seeing her again. Perhaps we'll go out to dinner if she gets back in time.

The Park

Yesterday Alex and Jo (his girlfriend) took me to a huge park. This has to be one of the biggest parks I've seen. I'm not actually sure what it was called come to think of it, but it was somewhere near Wimbledon Stadium where the tennis will be on shortly.
Parks here are like beaches anywhere else. People will flood to the local park when the weather is nice. The scene is set with lots of picnics, sunbathers, roller-kite surfers, bike riders and dog walkers. When I say the park was huge, we drove into it for about 10 mins before parking up and walking another 15 min's to a sunny bank where you could see nothing but grass and trees: quite a picturesque place really. I took a lot of photos, but cant find my usb cable, so you'll have to wait to see those until I clean my room.
After we'd had enough of throwing the ball for a friendly dog, we walked back towards the car and came across a series of burrows with rabbits popping their heads up from one hole to the next like something out of a Disney cartoon.

On the way home we stopped and picked up some boereworse and chicken and steaks with a view to have a braai for dinner.

The braai was very successful, with a handful of Alex and Jo' s friends attending, most of who where South African and Zimbabwean. The char-grilled food was very tasty and the conversations reminded me of South Africa.
Nicola is at Gatecrasher at the moment and called me to say Prodigy was awesome, Im glad shes having a good time and hope she doesn't get rained on too much out there.

Day of rest

Last night I met up with John and Alex at a pub. It was great to catch up with two old friends from so deep within my past. They are both just as I remember them, genuine and good hearted guys. Three old friends reflecting on old and new times, it was quite a kick for all of us. The pub was the same as the other pubs Ive experienced since arriving. Each one is very old and it shows in the the fittings and furnishings, but kept up to date for constant busy patronage. We could bearly hear eachother over the hubub of the busy tavern but kept on chatting and refilling eachothers' pints. When John left, Alex and I headed to a South African bar and had a few more before heading home.

When I woke this morning, it was a warm sunny day, same as most of the days Ive experienced so far. The sunny suburbs here are quaint with each house owning a small garden and lawn. Foxes and squirrels are very common... I haven't seen any yet, but Nicola has seen two foxes so far.

Today is the first day I have nothing planned. It feels good to put my feet up and relax. Perhaps I'll finally get to see one of those movies I've been hanging out to see in the next couple of days.

-----more to come!! watch this space----

More London

We've now had more of a chance to take a look around. We've seen the famous Piccadilly Circus and Thames River. You really get a sense of history walking around places you've heard of and imagined so many times in various books, movies and school classes.

Piccadilly Circus is amazing, really busy and alive with movement. The main square bonds historical buildings, statues and monuments with modern cinemas, digital displays and popular live shows like David Blaine. We wanted to see a movie at the movie theater where all the stars go to the premiers, but ran out of time. We will have to try again one of these days.

There has been so much to do and see, we haven't had a chance to relax yet. Im staying with a childhood friend and haven't had a chance to really hang out and catch up with him yet. One of these days I'm sure things will quieten down.

Last night we went to a pub and had drinks with Glen and his workmates. Thursday night is the night London likes to go out and drink, much like a weekend night back home. Buying rounds is the norm and everyone drinks lots of beer and Cider. I tried pear cider last night, its actually really tasty, but possibly thought of as a bit of a girly drink.

Ive been meaning to see Ironman and Indiana Jones, but havent had the time yet. Today we're planning to see a room in a flat we can rent, catch up with two different friends, Nicola wants to get a haircut and go clubbing.

Time to get to it -- next update to come later.

London at first glance

Well after the weird and wonderful alien world of Bangkok, London is a pleasantly familiar seeming place. We pretty much went straight to Wimbledon and had a walk around.
Its a sunny warm day with just enough crisp in the air to be able to comfortably wear a jacket.
People are all relaxed and just milling around the shopping center. There are heaps of shops and supermarkets and pubs all located in a village like setting. All the little brick houses kind of remind me of Asterix in Britain with not so much thatch~

The weather and feel to the place are a pleasant welcome to the country on the first day.
Lets hope things continue well :)

Bangkok - day 3

Today was a quiet and relaxing one. The only thing we needed to accomplish was for me to buy something from the IT City and Nicola to buy something from the Fashion Mall. We woke up late and had brunch at the food court in the Fashion Mall. Nicola bought a handbag and I bought a TV Tuner for the laptop. We mulled around for the day and then sat and waited in the hotel for time to leave. Once we got to the airport, we waited 3 more hours for the plane.
The flight was smooth and again the drugs worked great – no nausea. No movies either :/ so we slept for most of it.

I have tried to take as many pics as possible, so check my albums.

Bangkok - day 2

Macdonalds for breakfast. Cheesey Fries and double fillet of fish burgers. Even Maccas is different here. After breakfast we caught a legit taxi to the famous chatujak Markets. - Everytime I tried to pronounce this Thai people laughed at me. -

The taxi ride was about $4NZ as usual and we walked into the otherworldly murk that is Chatujak!
The best way I can describe it is like something out of a Starwars movie or the scene in Gremlins where they first buy the original Mogwai .. or perhaps something out of Bladerunner. A mix of all three fit best. Once we turned into one of the hundreds of stall-made alleyways the place closed up with a mesh of tarps and blankets for a roof, leaving the outside world far behind. We instantly wore the muggy heat like a heavy coat, and quickly got used to this other atmosphere – here you must be strong to survive! - Inside this labyrinth there was no understandable order to the stalls and stands selling everything from pots and pans to live squirrels wearing tiny tuxedos. Everywhere we looked there was indescribable food available for under a dollar a bowl.

We spent a long time walking around and around the maze perhaps searching for the prize at the end. But there was no end.
After deciding to leave, we walked around the place a few times and found an exit. Once on the road, it got easier to find our way around so we found our way to a Skytrain platform and made out way back home.

The Skytrain stop near our hotel dropped us near IT City. – This I couldn’t resist!!!
This was geek heaven. 6 huge floors bursting with shops, stalls, stands and walls of all sorts of hardware or software you can imagine. There was so much to choose from here, that I didn’t end up buying anything. I just walked around and around looking at everything and avoiding the DVD vendors who followed me around trying to shake my hand and force me to admit that they are my good friend!
After spending an hour or two at IT City we walked out and noted a Fashion Mall next door, just as big, this time it was Nicolas eyes that popped out of her head. But, unfortunately we were late for out final fitting with the tailor and had to run – literally.

We sprinted down alleyways until we found our hotel and the tailor patiently waiting in the lobby. Sweaty and heaving for breath we invited him up to our room for the final fitting. It was fairly embarrassing putting the freshly made, beautiful suits onto our sweat drenched bodies, but what can you do?
On the up side, they looked and fitted great. After all the warnings about tailors in Bangkok, we found a good one.

Nicola had noticed that, wherever we went, there had been no supermarkets, and every time we asked for one, we where pointed towards a 7eleven. This was no good because sshe was after some good hair products. So, now that the whole suit business was out of the way, we went hunting for a supermarket.
Boy did we find one! This place was huugee!! We found our way to the hair products and left for fear of getting lost in the thousands of isles. Once out, we saw a strange looking equivalent (perhaps) of Dennys. We awkwardly ordered some oysters, spring onions, duck and shrimp balls. I know how it sounds, but it was actually quite nice, once the waitresses showed us what to do with the boiling bowl of water and the assortment of weird instruments on the table.

We walked back to the hotel feeling content and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

Bangkok - day 1

Well the plane was ok - no puking- which was a huuuge bonus!

We arrived in the airport and had a weird haphazard experience getting the transport to the hotel. The guy seemed very dogy and kept walking off and leaving us standing there and then would come back and lead us a little further. In the end we made it to the hotel ok.

The hotel is very nice and we are on the executive floor for some reason. Aircon is a bonus!! We pretty much fell asleep when we got to the hotel.

Next day we went to MBK - a massive mall. I have never seen so many cellphones in my life. The mall itself was endless, and we spend quite some time in there.
The way we got there was in a Limo (a guy driving a standard volvo calling himself limo service) to take us around. He took us to a tailor first and waited outside for ages while we had a fitting for suits. The tailor was very up-market and fancy. After that we got back into the “limo” and went to a jewely factory (we didnt ask to go and didnt even know what it was untill we where inside). There I bought a simple ring for myself and a nice Saphire ring for nicola. After that we went outside and the “limo” was still waiting for us, and then took us onto MBK. The whole time we had the “limo” for costed us about $4NZ.

After ages in MBK where I bought a cellphone case and a set of walkie talkies, we cought a Tuktuk home. This is a motorbike with a carriage mounted on it. I argued the driver down 50% of asking price to take us back to the hotel.
The way he navigated the alleyways… lets say I was glad to be alive. I think Nicola really liked it :p

Back at the hotel we had a second fitting (tailor picked us up - fitted us - and dropped us back), had dinner and went to bed.