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| Global Gathering |
We last left you with tales of London and our trials and tribulations of setting up our new lives in one of the busiest and infamous cities in the world. We have since had a couple more visitors, Antoinette’s sister (Marie) and mum (Pam), and done all the usual things you do in London when you have visitors. They both came during the height of the British summer and it was great to get some sunshine while they were here. Marie and James celebrated their birthdays at Global Gathering, a huge music festival in the British countryside, and the celebrations were suitably messy and entertaining.
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| Our room. At it's finest. |
Our living conditions continued to be a cause of pain and stress, but we no longer have to worry about that because we are weeks away from moving in to a new place in East London. Moving out of Cricklewood is a decision we only wish was made a long time ago. It feels as though we are getting a new start in one of the greatest cities in the world and our outlook has become a lot more positive since throwing 25kg on our backs and closing the door of Flat 137 Ashford Court one last time. It wasn’t the area we wanted to move from, in reality it is quite nice, but the people we are living with (an ever changing collage of dim-witted eastern Europeans, one of whom thought he could unclog the pipes in the washing machine by putting it on a ‘dry’ cycle, and really lazy ass holes) and a property manager who just treated us like dirt. We are moving to Bethnal Green and can’t wait to make this area our home for the foreseeable future and, potentially, the place we spend the rest of our time in London. We put our deposit down last week and are looking to move in on the last weekend in October and the area is soooo much closer to central London that it is going to be strange to have so much on our door step.
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| All dressed up. FOTC Style. |
It has not been all bad news, although our blog posts might present it that way sometimes, and we have had some amazing experiences in the last seven or eight months. We have been clubbing in Brighton at Digital, one of the UK’s most infamous clubs for drum and bass enthusiasts like James, spent a week in sunny Barcelona, dressed up as Flight of the Conchords for a farewell party and had a full on Italian wedding experience in Acqua Viva. London and the UK is becoming more and more comfortable and homely as time passes. Even with the mornings becoming colder and the days much shorter there is always something on the horizon to keep us interested and entertained.
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| Barcelona from atop Mt Tibidabo |
Spain was, quite simply, amazing. Our trip could not have come at a better time. The weather in London was grey and drab and after almost a year of rolling through wet and cold weather sunshine was what we needed. Despite Barcelona being a shadow of its normal self due to the August holidays we still had a fantastic time getting acquainted with Barcelona’s architecture, food and beaches. A couple of notable highlights would have to include dinner (a couple of times) at Tapac 24, brilliant chocolate that almost did not survive the trip home, a private walking tour in the Gothic quarter, a flamenco performance and hours of sun soaked bliss on Barceloneta Beach. After eating and lounging our way around the capital, and changing our sleeping patterns to take full advantage of Spanish hospitality, it was time to head back to money earning reality and get planning for our next couple of adventures.
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| Dressed for the occasion. |
Heading to Italy to meet relatives of Antoinette’s she had only seen in photographs was a surprisingly comfortable affair. Perhaps it is because we are becoming so used to being outside of our comfort zones or perhaps it was because we both knew they were family, but the prospect of meeting people who don’t speak a word of English was actually something we looked forward to. Thankfully, however, Antoinette’s cousin Antonio was there to translate for us a majority of the time, but after a few days we could hold a very loose conversation with our hosts thanks to over enthusiastic pointing and gesticulations. Before the wedding we had two days in Milan and had a really relaxing time, except for when chaos reigned supreme at the gates of Milan’s soccer stadium moments before a champions league match. The wedding itself was awesome. 350 people, a ten course meal and plenty of vino. The countryside where this all happened is some of the most beautiful we have seen and being able to see such a significant place in the history of Antoinette’s family was pretty special for both of us.
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| James @ Kaffeine |
Work wise we are both doing ok. Antoinette is working as a receptionist for The Royal Society in a beautiful area of London just south of Piccadilly Circus. James is still slaving away at Kaffeine, but his hours have become more manageable so it has been nice to have a little more time to spend with Antoinette and, of course, London. We have been really fortunate to have saved our tax refunds until finding a place to live and only now are we starting to spend some cash and it feels good. Really good. After living on a budget to get the cash to go on this trip, living on a tight budget while on our American leg of the trip and having to save almost every penny during the start of our London leg having money to spend is a luxury we are definitely enjoying while it lasts. With the festive season and colder weather approaching we are excited about the next couple of months being more positive and rewarding for both of us, but knowing London, well, nothing is certain.
‘Till next time,
Antoinette and James.
