This is my first official post about living in London. Sorry everyone for the lack of posts over the past month or so. Its hard to get good internet access while backpacking around the continent. Hence, the facebook updates instead. Now that Rick and I are settled into London, with an actual place to live, I can post more consistently (at least I will try - wa wa).

A few tid bits about life in London so far...

1. When travelling on public transport (ie: the tube) in the summer, you will always be sweaty. Its super humid under ground. Who knew? They even recommend brining water with you as you travel so as not to get dehydrated. As a result, I no longer straighten my hair. What's the point? Its like being in Hawaii. It frizzes up. If only you could see me now - I walk around in public with air dry hair. I actually found, it doesn't look too bad and its way easier! It also consumes less energy, which keeps the electricity bill down I guess.

2. Banks are not open on Saturday's. Rick and I spent a whole day running around trying to find a branch of our bank that was open - just plain stupid. In some ways the banks here are ahead and in some ways they are so behind. I think I have gone into the physical bank here more then at home because the system here is impossibly slow to get started. Now I have a card reader machine that lets me do online banking (yes you need a machine for security reasons), so hopefully I will no longer have to walk to the branch down the street. Anyone who moves to the UK, just sign up for HSBC. It costs more, but so worth it. We are with NatWest and its been nothing but a pain in the ass.

3. British people have a phrase that goes something like this... "are you alright now?" (please insert English accent) We initially thought this was a question, but have found out that people are surprised when we respond with a lengthly answer. We have since realized that this phrase is just a greeting. You are only supposed to respond with yes or no. Kinda funny.

4. The Tea here is phenomenal. I purchased a pretty blue and white poka dot Tea Pot on sale and some great loose leaf tea from a place called Whittard of Chelsea. Absolutely lovely. I couldn't be more thrilled. Will post photos later.

5. I miss the beer in Germany and Slazburg, but the stuff in London is still pretty great and it still comes in 500 ml bottles. The cider's are amazing too. I used to love Strongbow until I got here and realized there are so many more options. Canada really needs to jump on this bandwagon.

6. It seems there are a lot of great yarn shops in London, but there are so many and I don't know where to start. I haven't yet had the chance to really take some time and look around with all the job hunting and settling in a new country stuff going on. I will post an update on this when I find out more. I am looking forward to getting some yarn and starting to knit again though.

7. I can't get used to people driving on the left hand side of the road. Its super bizarre. Really, what were the British thinking? You know this is not normal because they put these signs painted on the ground saying "Look Left" or "Look Right." Really, you have to tell people which way to look when they're walking! I've almost been hit so many times when walking, purely because I shoulder check or look the wrong way thinking the traffic will be on the right.

8. People love to Que (line-up) here. It's absolutely ridiculous and in-efficient. If you can do something online, I will, just to avoid the astronomical que's. The bank is the worst.

9. The fridges are the size of bar fridges in North America, the freezers are the size of vegetable draws in a North American fridge. Happily we managed to find a home where there is a North American fridge. And that is exactly what they call a big fridge in the UK - "a North American fridge. Our dishwasher (it is even amazing we have one - most people don't) is the size of mini bar fridge - I believe "cute" would be the proper description. Almost all people here do not possess a dryer. You hang everything to dry. Yes, even the towels, they get crunchy & stiff.

10. Absolutely EVERYTHING here is expensive and the dollar exchange is pretty good right now. I can't imagine being here 2 years ago. The only things that are cheap and easy are mobile phone plans (lets face it, Canada gets royally ripped off in that department), and health care. Literally, you could walk off the boat here and into a clinic or GP practice and say, "I just arrived and need health care," and they say yup, here you go. Although I read that's changing soon with government cutbacks. VAT (tax) is 17% and being raised to 20% this year.

Well this post is long enough. Hope you enjoyed it (if you made it this far).

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