Still here...

in London... a month later...  it's starting to feel like the place that I live and not some extended vacation, partly because assignments are starting to be due, but also the layer of newness is peeling away.  The bumpy brick lane near my flat was quaint at first, but now it's the thing that I either ride my bike over every day or have to go around the block to avoid - it actually caused the nut on my front wheel to fall off!  (Which reminds me, it's still only finger-tight on my bike a week later, oops...)

I must say I am pleasantly surprised by my life here in general.  Of course London is a great city, full of culture, but I somehow based my expectations on an ill-fated 6 months I spent studying in Leeds, which was an eye-opening cultural experience in some ways, but not positive overall.  I think my experience here is telling of the massive international presence and the hub of creativity that has been created in London (as opposed to other parts of England - so I am told, mostly by Londoners).  Some people say - and I expected - Londoners to be "unavailable" and not very sociable.  But I have not yet found this to be the case, far from it!  I have spent the last 3 weeks with the most interesting assortment of artists (mostly because I sought them out) and my very international and very curious, intellectually-awake classmates.  (What lasting relationships will come of that are still to be seen, but I'm sure I could go on this way for years before exhausting the cultural pockets of this city.)

So I started bartending, as I mentioned.  Funny stuff, bartending in the UK.  For the most part, cocktails & martinis are not done, except in swanky lounges where martini-ordering formerly-financial-district-employed people go.  So someone actually ordered a B-52 last Friday and I forgot the 3rd ingredient.  We decided vodka was ok.  Bartenders here mostly use little cups to measure the shots - I really miss the easy-pours (spouts that control the flow of liquor) so much easier! (hence the name)  The system here makes you look like some awkward high school chemistry student, and it's always a mess.  Also, it was explained to me that there are 2 lanes of traffic behind the bar, and you have to stay to either side.  I've always worked that you shove each other out of the way - there's not enough space to constantly suction yourself to the counter.  (Perhaps Danny or Erik will disagree with me on that...)  But there seems to be some kind of personal space issue going on.  This will take further investigation.  I doubt I will be very good at this polite keeping of space when you're taking drink orders for a crowded bar of thirsty people.

That's all for now.  Here are some pictures.  (Also on Flickr)