i've also been to ireland

Aye!!

For the past four nights or so I’ve been dossing at a small house in Sudbury with nine Irish men and it’s SUCH A CRAIC! My weekend activities have included

- drinking copious amounts of Foster’s

- watching Rocky and Star Wars 1-6

- watching a hurling match

- discovering the beauty of London’s outer suburbs

However first a hot travel tip which I learnt via experience: DON’T MENTION THE WAR. In fact, don’t mention ‘catholics’ or ‘protestants’ at all. This especially applies in regards to the Irish and the Germans, though in general it’s not really a good conversation topic. Consequentially, I’ve been copping much crap about being a convict and invading the aborigines. Although I’ve tried to explain to the lads the concept of ‘terra nullius’ and how in all fairness the land was rightfully ours for the taking (I mean spears vs. guns, there really is one clear winner) however they just don’t seem to understand.

On the up side, I’ve got a job at a pub called The Courtfield in Earl Court which is quite nice. I had a trial shift last night and it was pretty good, although I’m still getting used to the currency – in all honesty what is the point of a ONE PENCE other than to weigh down your wallet? And all the beer and ales were a bit foreign too, they have funny names like Hoegarden, Hobgoblin, London Pride and Starpromen or something. The only one I knew was Stella Artois. It’s pretty classy so obviously I fit in well.

And yesterday I went and looked at a flat in Sheperd’s Bush. Though I didn’t end up getting it, I did get myself a drinking date. Personally I think it was all a matter of presenting yourself well and translating first impressions which made this come about. Here’s a reference for your convenience:

“I didn’t know how to open the gate, so I jumped it instead” Translation: I’m an easy-going and active girl with a great sense of adventure.

“I’m homeless, but I’m not sure if I need a place to live or not at the moment”

Translation: I am a flexible and intrepid traveller who lives in the moment and doesn’t tie herself down with nancy-pancy permanent plans.

“I don’t know if I have $500 to pay for it at the moment…”

Translation: I am a free spirit who isn’t consumed by capitalist strains.

A more pessimistic person may have perceived these extracts as ‘disorganised’, ‘disastrous’ or ‘weird’, luckily I choose to surround myself with people with a positive zen and an optimistic attitude.

On the money front, things aren’t looking that well. I have one pound left and $0 on my Oyster card. How I will eat or get home tonight escapes me, but being the hippie I am I’m not fussed at all. I have some cool doss house pictures I’ll try to put up but my battery is nearly out and I rely on the Maccas free wi-fi for these short but brilliant insights into my new life.

Oh and as a sidenote, I miss Laura Boland immensely, and 1^st Contact Kickstart have been a major help in getting my shit together. I would recommend them highly to anyone. I am especially excited about the five day gym membership and my 7324902347^th copy of the tube line they gave me in the package. I suppose the bank account, NI number and job assistance also helped a bit too. Cheers 1^st contact.

today i went to Spain

Today, still in emergency state of mind, my goals were no longer fixed on sightseeing and looking as local as possible in this huge city. The crisis remained: I was still bankrupt. With a plethora of people having informed me that London is the most expensive city to live in, I decided to prove them wrong and live as cheaply as possible. I started the day with a 70p croissant from Tescos, which is fast becoming my haven when I’ve got the munchies. After trying to sort out more odds and ends on Oxford Street, I navigated myself to the Covent Gardens Walkabout Pub to see what I really could not miss: State of Origin III. And what a game it was! Not only did I have the pleasure of watching a thrilling victory by Queensland, but my new drinking partner kindly shouted me a few beers as well. I savoured the familiar taste of Toohey’s sliding down my throat as the cunning and street smart person I am realised that in my desperate state, these beers served quite well as a lunchtime meal. I mean beer is full of carbs so I had something to walk off, it was cold on a hot summers day, and it has water to keep myself hydrated. The question is, why am I wasting my time with Arts when my talent really lies in nutrition?

After a couple of hours soaking up the Walkabout fun I found my next meal resided in a piece of gum my new bank manager offered me. When I exclaimed this to him and told him of my money woes he said I was breaking his heart, and mentioned more job/living opportunities. I’ve already been here three days, had one marriage proposal, broken one heart, and received about five casual job offers! I’m faring quite well indeed. Oh and although the bankruptcy tragedy was kind of getting challenging, it has fortunately been relieved. I’m not going to specify how, as it could be said that the answer was obvious, and I’m not going to subject myself to hordes of torment by my terrible terrible friends. However to keep this nice anxious equilibrium I’ve had going for the past day or so, another emergency has arisen! Hark! This time it’s the looming thought of being both unemployed and homeless as of Friday as the job situation looks less promising. However, I’m going to think of this one as more of a ‘challenge’ than an emergency, as it makes it a lot more fun!

OH and OH and OH MY GOD. There was some small little