Living In London At Last
Thursday September 29th 2005
It pains me to even begin this post, because it has been so overdue. If I could, I'd train my thoughts back on the first 48 hours in this city, and attempt to recall the thoughts and sounds of those first impressions...the funny black cabs, the tall buses, the surprising warmth of the sun illuminating the surprisingly green leaves of a surprisingly large number of trees, the dozens of accents of english spoken by foreign tongues, the prices, oh the misleading familiar prices made ingenuine by a painfully dramatic pound-to-dollar conversion rate...
Perhaps there will be more time for reminiscing, but for now let's put my absence behind us and spare a few words about life in London as it stands. Currently, finally, and with great delight, Mar and I are living in a lovely flat overlooking the Thames River, just 20 minutes commute time from each of our schools. The scene is quite a contrast from your typical visions of postgraduate living, especially in such an expensive city, but we've been 80% lucky, and 20% persistent. The epic that was "Moving Home" (London-speak for "moving into a place for the first time") had all of the greats of a Greek tragedy: betrayal, suspense, a siren, a hero. It was an entertaining saga worth a standing ovation, but we also have no desire to repeat the performance. So let it rest. We've found a safe and happy home, and that's the important part.
This is the first week of the autumn term, reserved for enrolment (spelled with one 'l' over here) and other oreintating lectures and get-to-know-your-neighbor events. Classes actually begin this coming Monday, the 3rd of October, at which point the madness of academia will commence with a vengeance. And I can't wait.