We had a bit of an emotionally draining flat-hunt experience. I think most of us would agree it was pretty much work it because our weekly payment is in the double digits, but it drained most of us all the same.
But we’re settled now, and it’s started to feel a little more homey. As you can imagine, a low weekly payment means a pretty bare-bones flat. We’ve got basically a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms for the five of us with a cute little enclosed “winter balcony” that we’ve started to use as our hangout space.
But the other day we had our first sit-down meal as a flat – ravioli and pasta with marinara sauce and garlic bread. It was delicious and made us all feel like real people again, which was wonderful.
Dinnertime in the flat!
On a walk with the director of the London Centre and Honors seminar professor, we hit six different markets in the East End and at Spitalfields, we found a pile of vintage scarves for £1, which meant decorations for our porch (and my bed!). We also popped by the Columbia Street flower market and bought a heather plant as well to spruce up the place, and Bill, the director, gave our flat a bouquet of mini roses which we put in a glass on our dining room table.
We’ve “confetti”ed our walls, and Madison added this handy schedule so we have an idea of where everyone is.
We also attempted to explore some other parts of London, and ended up wandering around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hampstead Heath park, which, as one of our professors told us, had some swimming ponds. So, we thought we might try it out. But the water was a bit cold (read: freezing) and only Andrew (bless his heart) was brave enough to fully submerge himself in the pond. We also saw a ton of dogs, which made up for the disappointment of the swimming ponds.
Post-Hampstead Heath swim
On Monday, we saw the National Theatre’s haunting production of Medea, set in a quaint 60s-style house and accented by disturbing dances from the chorus members. It was, quite potentially, one of my favourite productions of all time. And afterwards, a group of us went and explored a bar on a carousel at Andrew’s suggestion, and it was lovely.
Party at the carousel bar!
Madison is very excited about feeding a carousel horse our pitcher of Strongbow.
We’ve started to fall into a rhythm here in London, which always makes me feel better. I’m a free spirit to a certain extent but after a stretch of limbo I’m always happy to be in a place where I know what the next day will bring, at least to a certain extent. We’ve made our schedules and started to branch into our local and not-so-local venues, checking out Craft Cocktails and some lovely local grocery stores in our neighborhood. We visited Stonehenge, Salisbury and Avenbury earlier today so be on the lookout for more adventures!
Chilli chicken ramen soup at our local Japanese Canteen.
Samantha Guter 