Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter detailing the events throughout my most triumphant tour through the British Isles.
Here's what's happened thus far:
Went through customs at Brisbane International Airport.
Exchanged most of my money into pounds, but $100 into Yen in case I need it. Turns out I get 6000 Yen, which seems like a lot. Unfortunately, I go and spend most of it on Coke and M&Ms (the only two things I can read the labels of) and now only have a bit left which the money exchange chick wouldn't change.
Quickly get sick of the Japanese people bowing whenever they thank me for something. Also very impressed with how they seem to know that I can't speak Japanese, and speak in English for me. Australians would never do the same thing for them. Still, a couple of shop attendants spoke in Japanese regardless, and I just nodded and said thanks (I also noticed that I said 'Hi' a lot when being greeted, which probably confused them - "Why's he saying 'yes' when I haven't asked him anything??").
Cut to Heathrow. Somehow manage to find my way to my hostel, even though it involved changing trains and Piccadilly Circus. Had no assistance whatsoever. Also noticed that my normal ability to instinctively tell north from south has disappeared since reaching the northern hemisphere, which meant that I was going the wrong way down Regent St (TERRIBLE signage on the streets here!).
Went to Tower Records today, and was suitably impressed by the metal section. Not impressed enough to buy anything, though. Saw the 3-disc vinyl thing of "Rock in Rio" there. Also, when walking around I somehow got lost and couldn't even use landmarks as reference points, because a) there are five Starbucks within 100 feet of each other, and b) every old building looks the same.
Doesn't feel like I'm in London - feels more like I'm at Dreamworld or some other amusement park and there's a London-themed section that I've stepped into. Very busy place, though.
Tomorrow (or today, perhaps) I shall enquire about a bus to Cardiff, and might also do that touristy thing in the buses without roofs that go around all the famousish places.
Final note - I have no idea what I'm doing here. Not my scene.
Stay tuned for Spiffy's NEXT UK update!
Here's what's happened thus far:
Went through customs at Brisbane International Airport.
Exchanged most of my money into pounds, but $100 into Yen in case I need it. Turns out I get 6000 Yen, which seems like a lot. Unfortunately, I go and spend most of it on Coke and M&Ms (the only two things I can read the labels of) and now only have a bit left which the money exchange chick wouldn't change.
Quickly get sick of the Japanese people bowing whenever they thank me for something. Also very impressed with how they seem to know that I can't speak Japanese, and speak in English for me. Australians would never do the same thing for them. Still, a couple of shop attendants spoke in Japanese regardless, and I just nodded and said thanks (I also noticed that I said 'Hi' a lot when being greeted, which probably confused them - "Why's he saying 'yes' when I haven't asked him anything??").
Cut to Heathrow. Somehow manage to find my way to my hostel, even though it involved changing trains and Piccadilly Circus. Had no assistance whatsoever. Also noticed that my normal ability to instinctively tell north from south has disappeared since reaching the northern hemisphere, which meant that I was going the wrong way down Regent St (TERRIBLE signage on the streets here!).
Went to Tower Records today, and was suitably impressed by the metal section. Not impressed enough to buy anything, though. Saw the 3-disc vinyl thing of "Rock in Rio" there. Also, when walking around I somehow got lost and couldn't even use landmarks as reference points, because a) there are five Starbucks within 100 feet of each other, and b) every old building looks the same.
Doesn't feel like I'm in London - feels more like I'm at Dreamworld or some other amusement park and there's a London-themed section that I've stepped into. Very busy place, though.
Tomorrow (or today, perhaps) I shall enquire about a bus to Cardiff, and might also do that touristy thing in the buses without roofs that go around all the famousish places.
Final note - I have no idea what I'm doing here. Not my scene.
Stay tuned for Spiffy's NEXT UK update!
