Day 79: or The Day I Left London

Getting moving this morning was hard work. Besides just being tired, it seemed everyone was checking out at the same time and the hostel was beyond disorganized. I had them hold my luggage so I could walk around a bit and decided to go back to the market with the German girl. Saturday is the busy, crazy day on Portobello Road. Today was much more laid back and easy to maneuver. We stayed in the area for an hour or so and then parted ways. I went back to get my bag and decided to stop on my way to the station at the Tower of London.  I walked around and saw Tower Bridge which was probably one of the more surprising things on my trip. From the pictures I've seen and taken, You can't really tell how grand and large it is. I've seen these buildings and places so many times in photographs, you feel like you've already been there. But with the bridge, I felt really misled. I'm glad I managed to stop.


The next stop was St. Pancras and back on the train. The station is light and open and has huge Olympic rings at one end for next years games. Makes you really want to come back. I managed to get a seat all to myself this time which was nice and the trip back went smoothly. I had a great time in London and am very happy I went. I'll be adding this to my list of longer trips I'll be taking, one day.

Day 78: or The Day In Notting Hill

I woke up at a decent hour and walked to Notting Hill Gate for a walking tour of the neighborhood. It showed many filming locations for various movies but also little bits about the area. It was a really good tour and by the end I was really wanting to watch the movie. I walked down Portobello road and managed to not fall trap to all the antiques, jewelry, and miscellany, but it was a close call. As I was leaving the Market, I noticed an attractive guy leaning against the door to a shop. I was looking at his odd choice of eye wear, when I realized I recognized him. Not 2 feet from me was Josh Hartnett. He blended in well and no one else seemed to notice him. It's strange to  me that glasses and can disguise someone so easily. Many of you might not even know who he is, but I'm pretty sure there were people  on the street who know full well who he is and didn't recognize him. I kept my cool, and he walked on his merry little way down the street. It was a gorgeous day and it seemed everyone was outside just to be outside. I walked through and around Hyde Park and then grabbed a shawarma from a local stand. The street I stayed on, Queensway Road, was full of Indian and Asian food so I just picked one a got lucky.


The 6 Nations rugby final was starting and I decided to find a Pub and watch some rugby. The German girls had asked me what I missed the most about home, and for the first time, I was actually able to give an answer. Obviously, the people (and food) are what immediately comes to mind. But this weekend, what I missed most was sports. I spent a lot of time at home either keeping up with sports, or going to social events based on watching sports. I think that's the key to sports too, watching games with people. So, with England playing Ireland, I was sure I would find a Pub with a decent crowd. I did some Google research and walked into Prince Edward's Pub for the last half of the Scotland/Italy game. There was once stool left and I sat down and bought a pint. I over heard the guys talking about their Fantasy league. They bought a round of beers but ordered an extra and offered it to me. For the next 5 hours we sat and watched Rugby and talked sports. They were a little surprised at what I knew about Rugby, because I told them I know nothing, but after 5 hours of games, I picked up a little bit. Rory McElroy was at the game, and again, they were surprised that I knew him. I guess a girl who watches golf is an oddity but when it's not Football season, what else are you supposed to do on Sundays?


I walked back to the hostel and was planning on calling it a night when I met a new girl in the room and tagged along to get some dinner. We stopped at an Indian restaurant and ate way too much. Again, I'm calling it an early night, but it was a long and eventful day. I had meant to do more sightseeing but I think meeting the locals is just as good of a way to spend my time. Nice little Saturday.

Day 77: or The First Day In London

I woke up today and started the usual travel day stress. Good news for me, I left for the train at 9:00 and gave myself a good hour extra. I was told the Gare de Nord is a usual place for pick pockets, so that didn't help my stress. Nothing like the fear of having your Passport stolen. I find it odd that I want to travel enough to do it by myself, and am in no way scared, but I do in fact stress about the little, unlikely things. I made it to the Eurostar and got myself a window seat. Interestingly enough, I prefer the window seat on a train over the aisle, which you all know is the opposite for air travel.


I managed to miss the entrance to the Chunnel, very bummed. I was sitting, facing South, but I had been looking out the window for most of the trip, it just snuck up on me. You're going so fast, and there are no lights so it's just pitch black. You can't see how big the tunnel is or tell your speed. I guess I just assumed it would be more like tunnels in the city, with lights and what not. It lasted all of 20 minutes, and before I knew it, I was in England. The trip went by quite quickly and I made into St. Pancras International Station. My host Dad had given me a Tube map, so I knew where I was going and arrived at the hostel without incident. 


I started the afternoon at a rare gem indeed, Chipotle. It was my last meal in the States and the only one in Europe is in London. Some people  might say that I should only eat local, and I hear ya, but I made an exception, and it was awesome. Not quite as good as the ones in the States, but it accomplished what it was supposed to. By then, the morning rain had basically stopped and I walked around Westminster and saw the requisite Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. I walked, and walked, and walked, but it ended up being a nice night and I made it back to the hostel in one piece.


When I got back, I met a German girl and was invited out for dinner and a drink. They were all in town from Hanover for a rowing competition so it was an early night for the athletes and I was happy to oblige so that I would be able to accomplish a full day tomorrow.

Day 76: or The Day I Cleaned My Room

The weather has been so nice lately, that when we walked outside and were greeted by a chill, the Kid stopped and said "oh, but I thought it would be warm". He's getting spoiled because a month ago I would have complained and he would have said it's not really cold.


I spent the day getting ready for my trip by cleaning my room. We are having the windows replaced next week, meaning someone besides me will go in my room. I felt that warranted a little spring cleaning. Most of you know of my inability to keep a room tidy. As much as I try (when I try), it only lasts a week at most. Then one day I look, and it's in shambles again. And you know that great feeling you get from a clean room? I love that feeling, so what is it about me that makes me the worst at keeping things in order? I really hope it's just a phase.


After the cleaning, the day went smoothly and the routine was accompished. Being St. Patrick's Day, I was planning on going to the Pub, but ended up staying in, the responsible choice. Besides saving money, I have to get up early tomorrow, and make the trek into the city to make my train. I also needed to finish packing. 


One random thought, ice cubes. I'm not sure how many of you known this fact, but they don't serve ice in their drinks. I had to dig in the second freezer in the house just to find an ice tray. At home, I drink my Coke ice cold, room temperature just isn't worth drinking. Here, I drink room temp all the time. Granted, the room temperature is a good 20' colder. Slight exageration maybe, I really have no idea.

Day 75: or The Day I First Wore My Flip Flops

Not since 8th grade have I gone so long without wearing sandals of some sort, and even then I'm not sure. At home, even if it's cold, I wear my sandals everyday. Illogical, yes, but it's a habit that I thought I would never break. But the weather has been nice, so I thought "why not"? When the Kid and I went outside to play, he ran to put his shoes on and came back with sandals. He told me he wanted to get his shoes like mine. And that's when I understood why it's different here. At home, I would be just one of many in ill advised foot wear, but here, they notice. The 6 year old Kid noticed after 3 whole minutes. Since I try to blend in here, flip flops are avoided but i'll bust them out for special occasions I guess.


Another sunny day, another day of  kicking the kids out of the house and making them enjoy the sun. It was an easy day and when the mom called to say goodnight (it was just me and the kids since the parents were out of town), she commented on what a good mood he was in. I could tell she was pleased which made me relax. I know they like me and that I'm a fine au pair, but I want to be "one of the good ones". I have no idea how I compare to the others they've had, I haven't asked. So days like today help me think I may be doing ok.

Day 74: or The First Day My Legs Saw The Sun

Today was a good day. I purchased my plane tickets for April break and it's all beginning to feel real. Three and a half weeks from now and I'll be in Spain, followed by a week in Greece. I couldn't be more excited. I also can't believe we're already half way though March. I feel like I've been here for longer than two and a half months,, but at the same time, I can't believe I'm almost halfway through my time here.


Today almost reached 70', so I thought it about time to go outside in a skirt. Last summer, I didn't wear jeans from mid-May through August. Babysitting and swim lessons allow for a fairly lax dress code and I just didn't wear jeans. Shorts, skirts, and dresses were all I could stand in the heat. That seems like another world now. I'm anxiously awaiting the heat while at the same time trying to savor the "real" spring. Flowers and beginning to bloom and the greenery is coming. I've never seen this place any way but dead, and it's amazing what a little color will do to people's spirits. 

Day 73: or The Day I Tried To Make The Kids Eat Beets

Today was another lovely day. It started out gloomy but by mid afternoon, the sun was shining and the air was down right comfortable. I left early to get the kid and added a little bit to the walk. When we got home, I threw him in the backyard and made sure he spent a  little time outside. It's also getting nice enough to hang the laundry outside which really speeds up the process. I never thought I'd get excited about laundry.

Tonight was clean out the fridge night and we had a hodge podge of leftovers. I used the word hodge podge but the kids had apparently never heard of it. It's amazing what they do and do not know. The girls speak perfect American English with no discernible accent. They know many colloquialisms, but sometimes, they just look at me funny. Granted, I do have a couple of random favorite words, many I get from one G.M.S. So one of our dinner items was a beet and endive salad. Usually, I say "at least have a little" when it's a dish I know they'd like to avoid. I don't force them, but I make it, and ask them to try some. Not this time. I put it on the table, and when dinner was over I put it back in the fridge. I remember having beets as a kid and using it as lipstick. I know for a fact that I was standing at the island in my grandma's kitchen. These are good memories about beets, none of which have to do with the taste. You've gotta pick your battles.