Everyone knows why we are doing it, right? I mean the London move. It’s because we want to be able to travel around Europe with more ease than is possible while living Stateside. Should I be at all concerned then that it has been two weeks and I went into the city for the first time today? Hmm…
No worries, mate (as they are keen to say around here). Not counting daily trips to the office (which is located in a fairly new financial district on pretty much outskirts of the city), I can hardly expect to go to Central London more often than on weekends. Last weekend’s exploits did not leave much time for a trip to the city (in case you missed it, my adventurous first full weekend is described here). Therefore, I pretty much took the first opportunity to go.
It’s not much fun doing sightseeing alone, though. I had a recent discussion with a single guy, who posited that traveling alone gives him more opportunities to meet new people and have fun in general. Single is the key word. Surely, I meet people occasionally, but I can’t make myself to attempt it purposefully, given that my standard touring M.O. is holding hands with a certain gorgeous woman and viewing the rest of the human race from a spectator perspective. Not being able to stop, point at some awesome sight or silly curiosity and say “Look at this!” is a bummer. Sitting in a sidewalk cafe – even people-watching, which I love to do! – and consuming food without any conversation (I happen to say exceedingly too many “Thank you”s to waiters, but that, I suppose, cannot count as conversation) is bad. Having a couple at a nearby table lovingly touch hands and exude content with being together is downright gut-wrenching…
I did not do much in the city. Just walked around some areas that I have not been on foot to before, confirmed that major museums have free general admission, calculated that a family trip to the city for a full day will cost us a fraction of what a similar trip from New Jersey to Manhattan would cost transportation-wise, forlornly consumed some shish-kebab in a sidewalk cafe on Knightsbridge, browsed the famous Harrods department store, and decided that enough is enough.
Back to work tomorrow.
P.S. The Vauxhall sales guy called and informed me that I can get financing only if I am putting down 30%. Cash flow is an issue. Converting dollars into pounds is way too wasteful, and my first paycheck is 10 days away… Going with Citroen, I guess. The OCD guy never mentioned any potential complications with financing, but who knows…