London Blog

"Remember, in London you are never more than 10 feet from a rat."

This is one of the first things Tina told us in the orientation meeting. What a charming thought. . .
So, here we are! Living in London--a day I've known about for 5 years but never really could imagine. We live in a nice neighborhood--Notting Hill, in fact. Our block is across the street from the entrance to Kensington Palace. Best of all, across the street from Kensington Park--a glorious place where I've taken lots of photos already. So far the things that have caught my attention are the dogs, the taxis, the lamp posts and gates, and Portabello Road. Variety and charm.

The weather is different than the other 2 times I've been here in May--It hasn't rained much at all but it is quite cold and much windier than I remember. And the subway (henceforth, called the "Tube"--not because I'm trying to sound fancy like I'm best friends with the tube and I know what the locals call it, but because when I say subway here, I sound like an idiot who doesn't know what things are called. I still can't bring myself to say 'flat' like everyone else--I'm not cool enough.) But I digress, I was going to say that it seems like the tube doesn't smell as bad as before.

The days are flying by--we've already been here 2 weeks. Tomorrow we leave for Paris--looking forward to it--we've never gone via the chunnel so I'm intrigued by that.

So now we're back from Paris--nothing to report about the chunnel--it's like all other train trips in Europe, but the trains themselves are a bit nicer than most. I slept most of the way going and coming and was only vaguely aware of being in the tunel part. I'll write more about the Paris trip later, I just have to get this first blog going so I can quit feeling so bad about not being in touch with anyone--it's overwhelming to try and keep in touch with everyone so I figure this is a way that I (we) can do it that will be easy and hopefully fun for all of us.

So what are blogs anyway? I can't say really, they are just kind of conversations that take place and make life more interesting-- There are several that I love and follow quite diligently, but those are already in progress and this London thing is kind of another subject so I decided to start this one to keep in touch with any and every one who is interested, so come one, come all-- I know you have interesting things to say, let's get a conversation going and see what happens. . .
Feel free to make comments or just hang around lurking. I'm hoping this will inspire some of you to make a blog for yourself that I can add to my 'check-so-and-so's-blog' list.

P.S .
If you are new to this and decide to make a comment, the first thing to learn is that they are not posted immediately--quickly yes, but not immediately so when you post a comment and then don't see it, don't assume you did it wrong and do it over again, it'll post in a few minutes.
Cheers,
Julie