I’m officially back in London and springtime is in full effect. Which basically means: 14-hour days, sleeveless shirt and cardigan weather, sprawling daffodils (my favorite), Pimm’s cocktails and a bustling outdoors. Seriously, it’s really weird to see people in this country wearing shorts and flip-flops when it’s in the 60s outside, but I suppose they don’t know any better… considering many of them probably don’t even know what 90 feels like.
For me, the weather is absolutely perfect. Because the sky is blue, the sun is out, fluffy white clouds hover above me and it’s not boiling hot like it would be in California. If only I could devise a plan to spend springtime in the UK and winter in the US, it’d be pretty much ideal.
The first few days after my return on Tuesday were a bit exhausting – due to my severe jetlag (waking up abruptly at 5 am and being unable to go back to sleep… and being extremely sleepy at 3 pm). It wasn’t very fun, but it only lasted a few days and I made use of my early mornings by hitting up some of the markets.
On Thursday, I finally dragged myself to Borough Market (London’s oldest and most popular food market) for the first time… and ‘they’ were right when they said it’s the best place ever to get fresh veggies and exotic foods.
(notice the stand selling wild boar in the background)
Fresh scallops anyone??
And to James, Justin and Aleem – be prepared because I’m taking you guys here in June, if only for the amazing cheesy-oniony-bready goodness that is the £4 toasted cheese sandwich. (The stand is right across from a pub: ultimate grilled cheese + beer = happy us).
I came home from Borough Market with a canister of organic vanilla black tea from Indonesia, a pot of mini-daffodils for my bedroom, some mixed wild mushrooms and a very happy tummy.
So yeah, it’s kind of nice to be back. The first few days were slightly disorienting – because I had to re-adjust to Britain while still feeling the familiarity of my second home. It was kind of confusing, because the last time I landed in London, I was so distraught about leaving the US and I had no idea what to expect. This time around, it was much easier because I knew exactly where I was going and I already had plans to meet people for lunch the following day. If anything, it was comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time – a brand new sensation that I can’t properly explain in words.
It’s been nice reconnecting with friends over here – and we all had a bit of a mini-reunion last night at my friend Anna’s birthday party. A lot of the international students I met at the beginning of the school year came around. A lot of us got split up into smaller groups when classes started, but now that we’re all in dissertation time our schedules aren’t clashing as much.
So I guess that’s really it for now. The house on Linthorpe Road is super quiet compared to the chaos constantly ensuing in my Simi home, and I’ve had to resort to drying my clothes on a metal rack again. And not having a car is bittersweet – because it’s still a huge pain in the bum to go grocery shopping, but it feels good to walk off my meals instead of immediately sitting my lazy butt in the driver’s seat.
I have no more formal classes from this point on, just a couple seminars here and there… lots of writing and a continuing search for an internship. I’m still not sure about when exactly I’m coming home for good, but until then – I’m planning to do some more traveling in the next few weeks and possibly try driving on the wrong side of the road through the English countryside. It should be fun.
