Tourist

I got really lost today. Gail said it would only take me 20 minutes. It took about 2 hours. I was trying to find the Cordon Bleu, but instead I found a lot of really cool streets I want to explore later. I also got at least three smiles from people on the street today. I considered that a real personal coup. After the first 30 minutes, I got flustered and asked a man on the street to help me. He was so nice. He pulled out a pocket map and together we tried to find my street. “Let’s have a look, then,” he said. The letters were all so tiny. At one point he said, “Now they went and put the crease in the wrong place, then didn’t they?” It was the closest I’d gotten into someone’s personal space, ever. But he was so delightful and I was very happy when I left him. But still lost. For another hour. At one point I was fiddling with my map in a corner somewhere when two delivery men asked if I needed help. Unfortunately they didn’t know where I needed to go, so I got lost again. I never did find my school. But I do know that Oxford Street is where it’s at. It’s sort of like the Rue de St. Catherine in Montreal. Full of clothing shops and tons of cafes. Still, it’s a bit nauseating in terms of foot traffic. There are more people on Oxford Street than in New York (exaggeration, but still, it’s friggin crowded). I got a bit nervous about pick pockets, as I’d just changed $200 into pounds and all of a sudden felt really self conscious. That would be a thief’s dream come true on that street. Next time I’m keeping my money in my underwear.

I figured out the tube on my very own today. Despite looking like a full on tourist while above ground, I’ve taken on a new image while down below. I really did a fabulous job. I took the Central line from Bond St. to the Circle/District line and hopped on that line to Kensington High Street. I went to Interlet, my last hope for getting my own place. Otherwise, I’ll have to take the Weardowney at a great premium. If I found a place that actually was available, I might save $1500. There were like ten people in line ahead of me who all want the same thing and there really wasn’t a great deal of places available. I’m not sure I’ll be able to be picky by the time my turn rolls around. We’ll see. I’ve got three appointments on Monday.