My parents dropped me at Lester B. Pearson around 6:30 pm and I quickly checked in. My flight started boarding quite late, but the pilot said we had a tail wind, so we'd arrive on time. I had an aisle seat next to Maxime, a young doctor from Montréal. He had recently graduated med school and decided to celebrate with a 3-week couch-surfing adventure with his buddy from school. He was a pretty cool guy— into triathlons and cycling. He had taken three of his Mom's sleeping pills prior to boarding, so about an hour into the flight, he was out cold— I even tried to wake him up for dinner, but no dice.
I took the train from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Station — and I found myself getting a bit emotional… it all felt so familiar. I looked out the window and saw all my favourite things about the English countryside: oddly-shaped fields surrounded by low hedges, Tudor-era, Jacobian and Industrial Revolution-era homes and, closest to the city, back gardens squished together like sliced bread. I was reminded of all the train journeys and road-trips I had the pleasure of enjoying last year when I lived in the UK.
I met Aussie at Victoria Station with a big hug. We chatted non-stop all the way back to her flat in North Finchley, where I cleaned myself up a bit. Then we headed down to Camden— somewhere I have never been— which is surprising, as it is definitely my kind of place!
Camden is, pretty much, awesome.
It is a sprawling neighborhood full of amaing markets that sell everything from cheesy tourist souvenirs to expensive boutique home-furnishings to vintage clothes and shoes to an astonishing array of ethinic foods. Some of my favourite things in the markets were a towering display of old suitcases and trunks and a cart full of home-baked gourmet doughnuts. I tried a doughnut covered in icing sugar and filled with vanilla custard.
I also liked the rows of stools that resembled the seats of scooters-- it made a plain counter-top a fun place to enjoy some rice or Thai noodles.
Aussie took me to a fantastic/incredibly weird space-age store called 'Cyberdog'. Techno music filled the many rooms, which were all lit with ultra-violet bulbs, making all the products glow in a rainbow of neon colours. The entrance was flanked by two giant robots and inside, customers were entertained with scantily-clad, glowing dancers in cages. We explored room after room full of the wardrobe from 'The Jetsons' and inspected shelves of make-up and hair-dye that glowed in the dark. I have never been anywhere like 'Cyberdog'!
After a quick cuppa, I hopped on the tube to head South for dinner with two of my Canadian friends who are living and studying abroad: Mel and Stef!
We had a great time catching up, telling stories and updating eachother on the recent happenings of our lives. We shared some news about our friends and laughed about the latest episode of Glee and internet sensation Rebecca Black. We ate at an Indian restuarant-- finally, some proper curry! I really miss English Indian food! Unfortunately, I didn't have much time with those speial ladies, but I'm sure I will see them again soon.
Oh yeah, I got an awesome 'Royal Wedding' Oyster card!
I took the train from Gatwick Airport to Victoria Station — and I found myself getting a bit emotional… it all felt so familiar. I looked out the window and saw all my favourite things about the English countryside: oddly-shaped fields surrounded by low hedges, Tudor-era, Jacobian and Industrial Revolution-era homes and, closest to the city, back gardens squished together like sliced bread. I was reminded of all the train journeys and road-trips I had the pleasure of enjoying last year when I lived in the UK.
I met Aussie at Victoria Station with a big hug. We chatted non-stop all the way back to her flat in North Finchley, where I cleaned myself up a bit. Then we headed down to Camden— somewhere I have never been— which is surprising, as it is definitely my kind of place!
Camden is, pretty much, awesome.
It is a sprawling neighborhood full of amaing markets that sell everything from cheesy tourist souvenirs to expensive boutique home-furnishings to vintage clothes and shoes to an astonishing array of ethinic foods. Some of my favourite things in the markets were a towering display of old suitcases and trunks and a cart full of home-baked gourmet doughnuts. I tried a doughnut covered in icing sugar and filled with vanilla custard.
I also liked the rows of stools that resembled the seats of scooters-- it made a plain counter-top a fun place to enjoy some rice or Thai noodles.
Aussie took me to a fantastic/incredibly weird space-age store called 'Cyberdog'. Techno music filled the many rooms, which were all lit with ultra-violet bulbs, making all the products glow in a rainbow of neon colours. The entrance was flanked by two giant robots and inside, customers were entertained with scantily-clad, glowing dancers in cages. We explored room after room full of the wardrobe from 'The Jetsons' and inspected shelves of make-up and hair-dye that glowed in the dark. I have never been anywhere like 'Cyberdog'!
After a quick cuppa, I hopped on the tube to head South for dinner with two of my Canadian friends who are living and studying abroad: Mel and Stef!
We had a great time catching up, telling stories and updating eachother on the recent happenings of our lives. We shared some news about our friends and laughed about the latest episode of Glee and internet sensation Rebecca Black. We ate at an Indian restuarant-- finally, some proper curry! I really miss English Indian food! Unfortunately, I didn't have much time with those speial ladies, but I'm sure I will see them again soon.
Oh yeah, I got an awesome 'Royal Wedding' Oyster card!
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