Routine

My life in South Kensington is heading toward a normal routine, which is a relief. It's fun being in a new city--or in my case, being in one for the first time in at least 5 years, maybe more-- but it's tough when you don't know where you are, what direction the river is, and how to get home without studying a tube map for five minutes.

I discovered that, while it's probably easier to take the Gloucester Road tube stop because it's slightly closer, I much prefer taking South Kensington. For one, it's right across from the Princes' favorite club, Boujis, and it gives me an excuse to gawk and walk past it a few times on my way home at night. Also, it's in the French corner of the city, so I can usually hear snatches of conversations en français.

I've identified my supermarkets, my late-night food options, and I can usually jump on a bus and end up within 10 minutes of my flat without pouring over a map. That alone is pretty useful, since the bus drivers around here mean business, and rarely hang around at the stop with their doors open while clueless Americans figure out what's going on.

While I'm one of the few and the proud to be living in what is probably the richest area of the city, it's sometimes more fun to be in hep areas like Hoxton and parts of Notting Hill. I went out on Friday night to a club on Old Street, ground zero of indie rock and chill bars, and had an amazing time. On Saturday, I visited Portobello Road for the market.

Today, I slept in for the first time since getting here, and visited the Tate Modern. It was crammed with people, which made it hard to walk around leisurely and see what I wanted, so I did my power walk and darted around people who were standing around annoyingly, blocking entrances to galleries. I LOVE the huge crack in the floor, an installation by a Colombian artist.

On the way home, I stopped at Hummingbird Bakery to get two cupcakes for dessert. They look gorgeous-- shiny, vanilla-topped, with sprinkles and little silver balls-- and I can't wait to eat them.

Tomorrow, my classes start in earnest, so there will be less wandering around and more grindstone, I think. Pip pip