My first day in London started rather late, almost in the afternoon. I was hoping to go to a flea market since it was a Saturday. Alan brought me O.J. in bed, and that was even more surreal. That hadn't happened to me in a long long time. But then also, it kind of embarrassed me a bit, because you know, I had my eyes barely opened, my hair all messed up, and I admit it, was not fully awake yet.
Around Victoria station
It's hard to remember the mood at that time, but in a haze I got ready to get out of the house. No major plans, just getting around. I got myself a week pass, with an ID picture and all.
Victoria Station was a must, and the surroundings. We walked past that Westminster Abbaye, or was it just a Cathedral? and we ended up in front of the Parliament and the tall tower with the clock.
I managed to take a picture in front of the abbaye, and there were also 3 London cabs there but I did not take their pictures, silly. Everything seems like from a silent movie now, I know there were noises and other people, but I can only remember things as faint old pictures, and people walking briskly like in the old movies....funny. We proceeded towards the bridge and now I remember how windy and cold it was. Across the Thames, there was the Aquarium and the London Eye. As much as l'Arc de Triomphe and La Tour Eiffel represent France and Paris, that Parliament clock and the London Eye sure represent London in every commercial, movie, brochure about the UK. So we walked back towards Charring Cross, past Derring street, where the war cabinet is supposed to be. We also walked around a green park and got onto Trafalgar square. We rushed back to a tube station...It was very confusing and I was lost.
Camden town
Camden town is my favorite place in London so far. It has all the shops you want, from very eccentric to classy, and at every price you could think of. The weather was rather gloomy and cold, so we walked to a pub, for a drink and bathroom access. It was a real nice pub. It reminded me of the pub back in Germany (Hamburg or Koln).
We then got into the market area where several crafts and second hand clothes shops were lining up...so exciting! A total shopping dreamland...I could just spend my day out there. Alan was looking for a jacket, I was just browsing like a princess in wonderland...Well, a hungry princess...so we looked for food and settled for a Thai menu. It wasn't too impressive, too tame in taste, not spicy enough...We sat in a bench area surrounded by weird shops. There was one that had all sorts of items made from beer cans...from picture frames, to candleholders.
Alan got a jacket and after several phone calls, we headed back home to meet Hannah and her boyfriend. We were supposed to meet at the house around 6 or 7pm if I remember. It was a long ride home and I was very sleepy.
We got some pasta, tomato sauce, gum and grape from the local grocery store...did I mention all the chicken sandwich places? Anyway, back to the house...I fell on the couch in the living room and blacked out...
Saturday concert: The Libertines
Next thing I know, I was meeting this cute short haired blondish girl called Hannah and her boyfriend Michael. He was even taller. hmm...not getting distracted...so I got changed and by 7pm we were on our way to the bus to Brixton Academy. We hopped on those London buses, and yes, sad enough I missed the exit jump...A bit awkward on the landing too. I didnt know those buses don't even slow down to let you jump off! Anyway, we got to the concert place. Funny thing, there was an entrance for the ladies (handbag check) and another for the gents.
The bar was the first thing to be located, and then the bathrooms. They got me schnapps, and everybody else got beer. When we got into the theatre, the band started to play and a band with a singer called Wolfman was doing the opening for the Libertines. It was really groovy, I like it a lot. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the opening band.
After a while they introduced the Libertines and the crowd went mad. There was no use for seats, for everyone were standing and singing along. I knew 2 songs during the concert. it was really nice and loud...my first ever rock concert. And yeah, I was the only brown person in that building.
Saturday night FEVERRR
After the concert we went to the Royal College student center, near the Thames, because they had organized this dance night. The place had an awesome, incredible, magnificent panoramic view of the Thames and London. We got some colorful drinks at the bar for a mere 3 pounds. I probably had a Long Island Ice Tea, or a Tia Maria; in any case, the effect was immediate.
Music was good, not at all the type of music playing in Blacksburg. People were not dancing much though. There were a lot of wallflowering, standing in the middle of the floor and just tapping feet to the music...It didn't take me long to dance like a crazy woman. Beside, I had nothing to loose really, apart from my clothes! I'll probably have to behave better if I live there..you know, proper dating/hunting manners...
I even had to tie my hair with my scarf, I was in sweat from dancing like a maniac. Fortunately, as more people got drunk (...took them a while), the floor was filling up with strange dancing. At least dancing was on! I vented out all my worries and stress, and visited the bathroom several times (met some french chicks there). I even managed to dance a full swing dance with Alan, which knocked my cup off the floor...sniff
By the way, there were a couple of cuties out there, but I was way too much into the dancing mood, I kind of didn't care if I stepped on anyone's toe or bumped into somebody else's boyfriend (oops, not on purpose of course!). I danced so much, it actually hurt my feet not to dance. I had to keep moving them. So by the time we decided to leave the place, I was having a case of "bloody toes puree"...
We walked along the Thames for a while, debating whether a cab was worth it. With the stinging cold and the aching feet, the boys managed to hail a cab, and we finally drove home. We lined up for a shower and went to sleep. Interesting sleeping arrangements: Hannah and Mike on the sofa near the window and I took the right side of Alan's bed. I am not sure Alan actually came up to bed. I have a feeling he slept downstairs in the living room...Besides, there were some personal reasons too to stay away from a certain couple....hmmm hmmm hmm, my lips are sealed.
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