Though it was very rainy and grey today (but VERY warm outside), we all had a fantastic day.
The day started out with cards, presents, blackberry tarts, chocolate, a jaunt to the coffee shop, playtime at Tumble in the Jungle (not as bad as it sounds), dinner at Eat17 and ended with Ava collapsing from exhaustion on the living room floor at 7:30.
Maude is getting more comfortable with me, and today was filled with lots of cuddles and singing of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” (her version goes “twinkle, twinkle what are you? How I wonder what are you.”
As I settle in here more and more each day, the further I realize what an amazing experience this is and will continue to be. Suddenly I’m forced to make decisions on my own, without any outside suggestions or advice from my friends and family. Just yesterday for example, I had to decide if I was going to walk home by myself late at night. I know this really does not sound complicated, but when you’re in an unfamiliar country these things actually take thought. I have no idea how safe it is here, what times are dubbed “safe” and “not safe”. Though Samantha can give me her advice and tell me what she knows, it’s ultimately up to me and what I’m comfortable with. Anyways, I decided to take a taxi home but even THAT was nerve racking!! The taxi’s here look like normal cars, with no sign or hint that it’s ACTUALLY a taxi. The driver rolled down the window outside of the house I was at and asked me if I had requested a ride to the destination I had told the operator on the phone. I got into the car, realizing as I did that I wasn’t completely sure that I was getting into a cab (yes, the fact that he knew my address was a huge hint that I was safe, but still….). As the driver went on about how many crazy people there are around now a days, I was just praying that he wasn’t one of them. As we pulled up outside my house, I breathed out a huge sigh of relief. He was actually a really nice guy (I really should learn to have faith in people and not jump to the conclusion that they’re kidnappers pretending to be taxi cab drivers). He was very surprised that I tipped him (he asked me if I was SURE about giving him a pound more). When I explained that tipping is normal in the country I am from (it’s not in England) he asked if I came from America. I actually really don’t like when people assume that; Canadians really do NOT sound like Americans but anyways…
Tomorrow I am going to a store called Cath Kitston to get some wellies and an umbrella (the stuff there is actually amazingly amazing; http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/). Then I am off to the National Portrait Gallery.
My camera battery died for the first time since I’ve been here and I only just realized that I need an adaptor in order to charge it. I honestly feel quite lost without it. I will post pictures as soon as I revive it!
xoxox
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