Despite feeling god awful I decided to embark upon the task of scavenger hunting for supplies so I went where most people go to find goods: Oxford Circus. I thought being a Monday that I would be in the clear but it seems I'm not the only person touring London this time of year. I kind of cringe in the presence of these crowds, which always made me scoff and roll my eyes in San Francisco when they'd stop right in your way as you were walking to your destination. Truth is I feel the same way here; despite not being from the area, I don't regard myself as a tourist but rather a traveller. I think that it's an important distinction and one that makes my heart speed up every time I fancy the idea of taking a picture; like Oh No! I'll be mortified if they think I'm a tourist! Maybe its a denial of my Asianness, Ha! I don't know. All I can say is that I don't want to be an obnoxious inconsiderate typical American, and I have some anxiety about it as I sit on the tube and avert my eyes and pretend to do something clever on my ipod. See everyone reads on the tube, and no one makes eye contact except accidentally. People here are rather dull and indifferent I'm finding. Aside from the restaurant/pub interactions Ive had, today proved that people are all about getting where they are going and keeping to their own business.
So back to some semblance of story format. I woke for the day showered and supplied, put some femme fatale kick ass tunes on, and walked out the flat with a kind of attitude and air of... okay so I almost got hit by a car. Holy Jesus! It wasn't because I wasn't paying attention, but I will say that this other side of the road thing has really thrown me off. As a pedestrian in this city the first thing you should know is that no driver gives a damn and they kind of speed up when they see you. Very alarming. On the tube averting my eyes as Ive mentioned, and I'm already feeling a little rebellious like I could just stare someone down for the fun of it. I think its silly to avoid others existence or the mere act of smiling, as if that is such a rude or wretched thing. But when in London! Customary and to form I am starring at peoples shoes which is making me very curious about people. "Who would wear these trainers?" "Oooh those shoes seem to be the style aren't they" "I bet this person is quite clever" "Definitely not from around here" HA! ;P I'm starting to form a theory based on footwear since that is the vantage point from which I'm looking. When you see whats connected to the feet as you get up and slyly glance it is very amusing. I will have to collect more data to formulate my hypothesis regarding footwear as indicators of personality types. I myself only have boots and am on the hunt for some asic onitsuka tigers. They are a rare breed of shoe and Ive found a couple retailers in Oxford Circus that carry them. Of course being a little neurotic and planny Ive written down all the addresses and directions from the tube after studying a map. Though when I get out at my stop it seems a literal circus to find my way around. Dodging shooters (cameras) and shopping bags, large jacketed giraffe like people I cant see over, properly dressed accents and squirrely children I end up seeing a familiar street from my map and take it. It seems my research paid off for the first place which I ended up buying the shoes from without shopping around, I didn't want the hassle and figured Id get it over with so that I could walk around in comfier kicks.
The streets in London are not like in SF. The whole city denies the grid system and kind of has a wind about circular snake route, with side alleys that are actually streets but seem like you've entered some quaint little gnome land when you go down them. I imagine that this is what everything was like before the main roads were decked out and commercialized, or heck of I know! I should have taken a history course before coming here, and I realise that though I may appear less of an American tourist, that mentally I feel like one. If there is something Ive learned of the English its that they are smart people with a keen interest in Politics and National Affairs, History and Literature. I already feel like I need to do one of those steroid programs for vocabulary bulking when I'm just having an average conversation. Mental note when someone talks, look up these five words to know what the heck they were saying.
I'm finding that in my effort to blend I have become entirely stubborn. This is the worst when it comes to NOT asking for directions, which I'm proud to say is a very British thing to do as well. This leaves me to rely on my nonexistent sense of direction to guide me to my destination. Let me tell you my whims are always wrong. Ive even tried tricking myself and going in the opposite direction of what I think, and every time! When I do break down and ask someone I cant keep track of all their directions or get misdirected and the pride kicks in again and I just nod and say thank you. Hopeless! The best was when I literally walked up and down the exit portions of the tube because I was convinced there had to be another platform and then I had to say to myself, there are only two ways this train goes lady, so get it together. (btw fun fact, another way to say get it together here is to say "sort yourself out" )
The SOHO district or area of London is very lively, and there are tons of amazing shops and restaurants all of which were pretty busy for a Monday afternoon. I marvelled at how beautiful all the buildings are, such remarkable architecture! Tiny cobble stone streets ruled by black old fashioned rounded topped taxis zipping about, motorcyclists in neon construction vests for alerting passers by, brave bikers just as deadly peddling at high speeds! Its rather fast paced here.
The streets even remind you in painted white letters in the busier sections of town to look left or right to check for traffic. Wish I noticed that before. Woops!
As I walked I stopped in small shops that looked fun and smiled to myself at how British everything was. A card shop I went into had some of the funniest cards and trinkets. Brits have rather dirty humor I will say. It made sense after briefly catching a cartoon on the tele with a proper story line and this dog named tulip seeking out other dogs to mount her! There's also lots of clever items in storefronts like woolen tea cozies, posh art and funky clothing like a sweater I saw covered in white sheep and one black, invoking that all too familiar feeling Ive known my whole life ;P
As I walked I found myself in Chinatown and then very nearby were rainbow flags. I found my people! A group of Chinese guys were laughing together and I kind of yearned to hang out with them; an obvious dyke with bright pink dyed hair and big boots stomped her way through the ally where pictures of half naked men adorned the storefront advertising, ughh underwear (which for men are called pants) ?! Haha, it was nice to wander and feel like I was somewhere fun and interesting. I ended up at a generic coffee shop where I figured I was sure to get wifi and be able to sit and write awhile, which I did in my journal for that good old fashioned feeling. I ordered a small tea and felt like I was at a kids table with a dolly as I took the few sips and finished before I could even get my journal out. Either way I stayed until rush hour was over and I could skip out on the crowds. Rush hour on the tube is generally 4:30-6:30. I saw a man pass with a whole foods bag and I got it in my head that I was going to go there. I found one was in Piccadilly Circus and come 6:30 I was out the door and into the rain to gather myself at the nearest underground. Now PC as Ill call it is one of the most touristy parts of London where all the musicals and plays are and every one's out getting into mischief. The multitude of languages being spoken, rolling luggage grinding against cobblestone, and street performers are quite the soundtrack. I will say that I have never heard more talented street and subway performers in my life! Its like having public concerts all the time. London is more cultured than a probiotic drink! ;p Which is exactly what I was going to fetch at the whole foods once I found the dumb place! I walked all over determined to find it, and found solace at a hotel where the concierge gave me good directions. When I found it I felt like I had discovered America, which was kind of true. The tiny little thing was hidden away and apparently not much the success here in London. The familiarity was nice and I got to practice the whole foods motto which is whole paycheck and drop a honey on some supplements. Ahhh the life of a traveller, fortifying foreign economies!!!
After my bags were stocked with the items Id set out for I headed back to Balham just about ready to collapse. I realised a few things about myself. a) I have been far too concerned with survival my whole life b) this inhibits me from having fun, living on a whim or exhibiting trust towards myself and others.
Getting so uncomfortable about what I should do next or where I should go next that I plan out every move just to throw it to the wind anyway when it doesn't work out, is silly. Why have expectations right? And on top of it, Ive spent my whole life being a thrifty beeze only to miss out on experiencing things. One of my goals this trip is to not be so concerned with survival and find a way to enjoy every moment and truly thrive in this adventure. Worry is a waste of time right?! Working to unlearn the worry.
Overall today's adventures gave me a new found confidence for this trip because despite getting lost and feeling like utter shyte (working on the local vocab) I successfully got around and gave myself a big pat on the back for braving it. YYYEaah!
So back to some semblance of story format. I woke for the day showered and supplied, put some femme fatale kick ass tunes on, and walked out the flat with a kind of attitude and air of... okay so I almost got hit by a car. Holy Jesus! It wasn't because I wasn't paying attention, but I will say that this other side of the road thing has really thrown me off. As a pedestrian in this city the first thing you should know is that no driver gives a damn and they kind of speed up when they see you. Very alarming. On the tube averting my eyes as Ive mentioned, and I'm already feeling a little rebellious like I could just stare someone down for the fun of it. I think its silly to avoid others existence or the mere act of smiling, as if that is such a rude or wretched thing. But when in London! Customary and to form I am starring at peoples shoes which is making me very curious about people. "Who would wear these trainers?" "Oooh those shoes seem to be the style aren't they" "I bet this person is quite clever" "Definitely not from around here" HA! ;P I'm starting to form a theory based on footwear since that is the vantage point from which I'm looking. When you see whats connected to the feet as you get up and slyly glance it is very amusing. I will have to collect more data to formulate my hypothesis regarding footwear as indicators of personality types. I myself only have boots and am on the hunt for some asic onitsuka tigers. They are a rare breed of shoe and Ive found a couple retailers in Oxford Circus that carry them. Of course being a little neurotic and planny Ive written down all the addresses and directions from the tube after studying a map. Though when I get out at my stop it seems a literal circus to find my way around. Dodging shooters (cameras) and shopping bags, large jacketed giraffe like people I cant see over, properly dressed accents and squirrely children I end up seeing a familiar street from my map and take it. It seems my research paid off for the first place which I ended up buying the shoes from without shopping around, I didn't want the hassle and figured Id get it over with so that I could walk around in comfier kicks.
The streets in London are not like in SF. The whole city denies the grid system and kind of has a wind about circular snake route, with side alleys that are actually streets but seem like you've entered some quaint little gnome land when you go down them. I imagine that this is what everything was like before the main roads were decked out and commercialized, or heck of I know! I should have taken a history course before coming here, and I realise that though I may appear less of an American tourist, that mentally I feel like one. If there is something Ive learned of the English its that they are smart people with a keen interest in Politics and National Affairs, History and Literature. I already feel like I need to do one of those steroid programs for vocabulary bulking when I'm just having an average conversation. Mental note when someone talks, look up these five words to know what the heck they were saying.
I'm finding that in my effort to blend I have become entirely stubborn. This is the worst when it comes to NOT asking for directions, which I'm proud to say is a very British thing to do as well. This leaves me to rely on my nonexistent sense of direction to guide me to my destination. Let me tell you my whims are always wrong. Ive even tried tricking myself and going in the opposite direction of what I think, and every time! When I do break down and ask someone I cant keep track of all their directions or get misdirected and the pride kicks in again and I just nod and say thank you. Hopeless! The best was when I literally walked up and down the exit portions of the tube because I was convinced there had to be another platform and then I had to say to myself, there are only two ways this train goes lady, so get it together. (btw fun fact, another way to say get it together here is to say "sort yourself out" )
The SOHO district or area of London is very lively, and there are tons of amazing shops and restaurants all of which were pretty busy for a Monday afternoon. I marvelled at how beautiful all the buildings are, such remarkable architecture! Tiny cobble stone streets ruled by black old fashioned rounded topped taxis zipping about, motorcyclists in neon construction vests for alerting passers by, brave bikers just as deadly peddling at high speeds! Its rather fast paced here.
The streets even remind you in painted white letters in the busier sections of town to look left or right to check for traffic. Wish I noticed that before. Woops!
As I walked I stopped in small shops that looked fun and smiled to myself at how British everything was. A card shop I went into had some of the funniest cards and trinkets. Brits have rather dirty humor I will say. It made sense after briefly catching a cartoon on the tele with a proper story line and this dog named tulip seeking out other dogs to mount her! There's also lots of clever items in storefronts like woolen tea cozies, posh art and funky clothing like a sweater I saw covered in white sheep and one black, invoking that all too familiar feeling Ive known my whole life ;P
As I walked I found myself in Chinatown and then very nearby were rainbow flags. I found my people! A group of Chinese guys were laughing together and I kind of yearned to hang out with them; an obvious dyke with bright pink dyed hair and big boots stomped her way through the ally where pictures of half naked men adorned the storefront advertising, ughh underwear (which for men are called pants) ?! Haha, it was nice to wander and feel like I was somewhere fun and interesting. I ended up at a generic coffee shop where I figured I was sure to get wifi and be able to sit and write awhile, which I did in my journal for that good old fashioned feeling. I ordered a small tea and felt like I was at a kids table with a dolly as I took the few sips and finished before I could even get my journal out. Either way I stayed until rush hour was over and I could skip out on the crowds. Rush hour on the tube is generally 4:30-6:30. I saw a man pass with a whole foods bag and I got it in my head that I was going to go there. I found one was in Piccadilly Circus and come 6:30 I was out the door and into the rain to gather myself at the nearest underground. Now PC as Ill call it is one of the most touristy parts of London where all the musicals and plays are and every one's out getting into mischief. The multitude of languages being spoken, rolling luggage grinding against cobblestone, and street performers are quite the soundtrack. I will say that I have never heard more talented street and subway performers in my life! Its like having public concerts all the time. London is more cultured than a probiotic drink! ;p Which is exactly what I was going to fetch at the whole foods once I found the dumb place! I walked all over determined to find it, and found solace at a hotel where the concierge gave me good directions. When I found it I felt like I had discovered America, which was kind of true. The tiny little thing was hidden away and apparently not much the success here in London. The familiarity was nice and I got to practice the whole foods motto which is whole paycheck and drop a honey on some supplements. Ahhh the life of a traveller, fortifying foreign economies!!!
After my bags were stocked with the items Id set out for I headed back to Balham just about ready to collapse. I realised a few things about myself. a) I have been far too concerned with survival my whole life b) this inhibits me from having fun, living on a whim or exhibiting trust towards myself and others.
Getting so uncomfortable about what I should do next or where I should go next that I plan out every move just to throw it to the wind anyway when it doesn't work out, is silly. Why have expectations right? And on top of it, Ive spent my whole life being a thrifty beeze only to miss out on experiencing things. One of my goals this trip is to not be so concerned with survival and find a way to enjoy every moment and truly thrive in this adventure. Worry is a waste of time right?! Working to unlearn the worry.
Overall today's adventures gave me a new found confidence for this trip because despite getting lost and feeling like utter shyte (working on the local vocab) I successfully got around and gave myself a big pat on the back for braving it. YYYEaah!
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