One week in

We've arrived! Last week went well and we are slowly getting adjusted (the jet lag is killer!). Everything has gone great so far- the only hiccups we've encountered have mainly to do with the process of signing up for the gym to work out, and our washing machine is broken. Who needs clean clothes anyway?

We've already lined up a flat in an area called West Kensington- near some friends who live here already and very near shops, pubs, and a few different high streets. We move on October 19. It has two bedrooms, the second room nicely sized for visitors!

John started work yesterday and I am on the job hunt. There are some prospects out there, so I'm hopeful I can line up something soon. The sooner I start working, the sooner we can start travelling! John's office is really cool- in the London Bridge area of the city- see here you can see part of the bridge in the background. It is super modern and huge- 6,000 employees sit in that one office. They all seem to dress smarter than we are used to- so John is happily looking for more suits to wear.

We are currently staying in a neighborhood called Canary Wharf. It is the financial center (or centre) of the city, with high rises and loads of people during the week. It is pretty quiet at night and on the weekends. It is like a newer version of downtown LA- with no homeless people. We'll be ready to move out of here to someplace with a little more character and people around.

Some overall observations after week 1:

1. People walk everywhere here. Such the opposite end of the spectrum from California where we drive to the store 1/4 mile away.

2. People are in a hurry here! I naturally walk slower, but you nearly get mowed over here if you aren't careful.

3. The food isn't as bad as we thought. Due to the prices and Angie's current unemployment we cook in a lot- but on the occasions we've eaten out is hasn't been awful- it's been quite good. I even made salsa last week. The jarred salsa they sell here is not very good.

4. The people are nice! Customer service wise, it isn't the same (but CA keeps getting worse and worse at restaurants and stores anyway) and people are so helpful and nice. I haven't run into anybody yet who has been the dreadful brit we were warned against- altho I know that day will come.

So friends, the sooner you get out here, the sooner you can see for yourself all the fun things we are talking about. Book your tickets soon for Chalet Sciammarella/Menendez on the West End to explore!