First it was Poland....
I have wanted to live abroad for as long as I can remember. I had fantasies of teaching English in Poland. I think the thought of Poland became a driving force pushing me toward change around 2001. Somehow that evolved into moving to Ireland and continuing my career in social work. In the end, I found a job in the London Borough of Broomley and ultimately landed in Penge.
I left Minneapolis on November 07 and got off the plane in London England on November 08 2006. I had three suitcases, 900 pounds cash, a smell that suggested a shower was needed and a headache. I took a cab to "Abode London" where I was scheduled to meet this guy, Ben, who was going to help me move into my pre-booked, pre-paid new flat in Upper Norwood, London.
I paid my cab driver, already decreasing the worth of my estate to 840 pounds, and went into the office of Abode London (letting agents...i.e. They help you find a place to live) where I met Ben. Ben had been helping me try to find a place before coming to London via the Abode London website. We both thought I was meeting him at the office only to sign some papers before I would be free to move into my new flat in Upper Norwood London. Ben said "Why don't we go have a look at the old place first." I actually told him I was certain that wasn't necessary. I'm so thankful he insisted, because my new home was nothing at all like the flat I thought I would be moving into.
It was in the basement (which was my first surprise), and as Ben and I were walking down the stairs, the smell of the building far exceeded my own slightly sour odor. It was completely gross. I was trying too keep an open mind and muster some excitement about my new home, but it was clear that the Universe was giving me a clear sign not to move in when, as I moved to step into the teeny, tiny bathroom of the place, which was so dirty I don't know how a person could get clean in it, out of nowhere came this audible fart. Yep. I just turned around and looked at Ben, who had his mouth open and was silently laughing. I giggled to keep from crying. It was a pathetic and hilarious moment. I was standing in a tiny, disgusting bathroom with this man of about 20 who I didn't know who was hard to understand given his strong English accent and who told me I was "such a bird". I smelled bad, I had slept about two hours in the last 24, I was hungry, I had just left my girlfriend and my family and all of my friends to face a new life adventure only to find that I hated my new place to live and to top it all off, I had just let one fly in the face of a stranger.
Ben agreed to let me out of the reservation for the horrible Upper Norward flat and helped me find a much better flat in Penge. It all happened on my first day in England.
Needless to say, after an incredibly long and traumatic day, I was happy to find a Chinese take-out restaurant five blocks from my house. I got some food that was probably horrible but tasted amazing. I drank nearly a bottle of red wine and smoked a few cigarettes. I had a good cry and I feel fast asleep. Day one, down.
I left Minneapolis on November 07 and got off the plane in London England on November 08 2006. I had three suitcases, 900 pounds cash, a smell that suggested a shower was needed and a headache. I took a cab to "Abode London" where I was scheduled to meet this guy, Ben, who was going to help me move into my pre-booked, pre-paid new flat in Upper Norwood, London.
I paid my cab driver, already decreasing the worth of my estate to 840 pounds, and went into the office of Abode London (letting agents...i.e. They help you find a place to live) where I met Ben. Ben had been helping me try to find a place before coming to London via the Abode London website. We both thought I was meeting him at the office only to sign some papers before I would be free to move into my new flat in Upper Norwood London. Ben said "Why don't we go have a look at the old place first." I actually told him I was certain that wasn't necessary. I'm so thankful he insisted, because my new home was nothing at all like the flat I thought I would be moving into.
It was in the basement (which was my first surprise), and as Ben and I were walking down the stairs, the smell of the building far exceeded my own slightly sour odor. It was completely gross. I was trying too keep an open mind and muster some excitement about my new home, but it was clear that the Universe was giving me a clear sign not to move in when, as I moved to step into the teeny, tiny bathroom of the place, which was so dirty I don't know how a person could get clean in it, out of nowhere came this audible fart. Yep. I just turned around and looked at Ben, who had his mouth open and was silently laughing. I giggled to keep from crying. It was a pathetic and hilarious moment. I was standing in a tiny, disgusting bathroom with this man of about 20 who I didn't know who was hard to understand given his strong English accent and who told me I was "such a bird". I smelled bad, I had slept about two hours in the last 24, I was hungry, I had just left my girlfriend and my family and all of my friends to face a new life adventure only to find that I hated my new place to live and to top it all off, I had just let one fly in the face of a stranger.
Ben agreed to let me out of the reservation for the horrible Upper Norward flat and helped me find a much better flat in Penge. It all happened on my first day in England.
Needless to say, after an incredibly long and traumatic day, I was happy to find a Chinese take-out restaurant five blocks from my house. I got some food that was probably horrible but tasted amazing. I drank nearly a bottle of red wine and smoked a few cigarettes. I had a good cry and I feel fast asleep. Day one, down.
posted by rebecca | 2:54 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Rebecca, I'm glad to see a fellow Minneapolis person or a person from "the cities", spreading wings and taking chances to experience the world. Congrats! I up and moved to NYC, although not London, but similar to you and I hope you feel it has been worth it so far. -Jon
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