First Stop - London
I have decided to start my European Adventure (which is its official name, by the way) in London for a number of reasons. To start with, it’s the only European city with direct flights from Calgary. Words cannot describe the deep rooted hatred i have for indirect flights. Changing planes in a different city is inconvenient, confusing and adds hours to an already long flight. Second, i have been to London before and therefore am more comfortable being wide-eyed and alone here. Third (and most importantly), London was chosen as my first stop because, apparenty, they speak English here. Being able to actually communicate with strangers is nice when i don’t have to phonetically read everything i have to say off of the translator app on my iPhone.
After a sleepless 9 hour flight i made it to my hotel room, only to find it smaller then most dorm rooms i’ve been in. I knew that the price i was quoted was too good to be true and this proved that i was right. Trying to distract myself from my tiny accomadations i turned on the television to see what British tv had to offer. Three of the nine channels this box received were playing Celebrity Big Brother. If working in a store that sells British tabloids has taught me anything, it’s that British people love two things: celebrities and reality tv.
After a long process of deciding whether or not i need my own bathroom (i do) i decided to upgrade my room. My new room was only slightly larger, due to the addition of a toilet and shower, and the only channel its tv gets is always playing blurry football (sidebar: i’ve been forcing myself to call soccer football in my head for fear that i will say the word soccer outloud, while in this continent, and be murdered).
This hotel may have many faults and oddities (like the proud proclamation of the two star rating they received from the Best of Britain; or the fact that none of the people that work here are British) but ultimately it’s quite cozy. Because there are maybe five other people staying in this hotel it didn’t take long for the staff to recognize me and call me by name. Also there is an adorable little bar set up in the lobby that serves delicious Boddingtons. I’m sure i can make this work.
