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Archive for September, 2006

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Goodbye London

Saturday, September 30th, 2006

Well Im off, packed up my room, back to the backpack, a few more things to do then its out to make the long journey to the London airport which isnt even in London and costs about the same to get there as it did for my ticket to germany.

Hurray!

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A little tast of India

Sunday, September 24th, 2006

Crazy blog site had some problems and deleted all my august posts! Luckily they had them on backup somewhere so managed to get them all back but if you were wondering why my blog had gone back in time that’s why. All good now so time for another update!

Some people tell me they are surprised that I keep this updated so much…and well I guess the truth is that when your traveling alone the internet/email/blog becomes your social life….yeah yeah traveling is all good, its really exciting, I’m so lucky etc etc but lets be honest, I don’t have a lot of close friends out here! So there you go the truth comes out…I am pretty much a loner and sometime I have nothing better to do than blog! But in saying that the good always outweighs the bad and you (whoever you may be) get to keep up to date on everything I do!

So back to London…my last week here!! My goodness I am looking forward to leaving now, had enough of working and being in one place. Every time I see someone with a backpack I get jealous, so time to go. Plans from here are flying into Germany for a couple of days of Oktoberfest action then have 5 more weeks to do as much of Eastern Europe as possible, finishing up in Amsterdam where Im meeting Jes who I worked with here in London for 3 days of Dutch fun. The on to India, now when I say a little tast of India, I don’t mean that in the literal sense of there actually being a lot Indian curries around…more to do with my oh-so-exciting visit to the India embassy to get a visa. I didn’t actually know I had to get one so luckily one of the guys I work with is also going and kindly informed me of the unexpected $120 and waiting in a queue experience. I do think the embassy here is supposed to give you just a bit of an idea of how India will be. First its, take your passport to the embassy. First problem. Ok so this one is my fault, but I like always, got lost and ended up on the wrong side of London, then once I finally got to the area, walked around a few blocks back and forth and finally located it. Lots of people lining up and there’s a half ripped notice on the wall outside saying something about passport photocopies and down the bottom ‘NO ARGUING’. Right so went off to find a photocopier, the first place of course was broken, much further away was another place, and was set to print 5 copies of each so ended up with a lot more than I wanted.
Back to the embassy.
Inside I realize I need a ticket with a number.
Window is empty
Eventually I go through the unarmed and not working metal detector, and fill out the form squashed in with a couple of hundred others. The realise it has to be in black ink and in capitals. Remembering the no arguing sign decide its safer to get another form. So…..back outside. Finally with form filled in and number called I’m at window. Don’t actually need copied of passport in the end.
Don’t know enough details of anyone to fill out the English referees part so I just make them up crossing my fingers they don’t actually check them (I was right). Then they find out I have 2 passports. ‘Why do you have an English passport if you’ve only been here for 2 months??” Finally sorted that out I get another number and wait again in the overcrowed room full of signs saying ‘No enquires” at every window. Eventually my number gets called so I can collect my passport with hopefully the visa inside (you can be rejected for the visa but still have to pay) however I get to the window and the guy had gone again…so waiting and waiting and….ta-dah! Big huge sticker in my passport and I’m officially allowed into India.

So an interesting few busy, disorganized hours and a bit what India will be like I imagine! And just to top it off walking out you can see inside the very plush, wealthy area of the embassy, much different from the little basement area, class system at its best!

Other than embassy fun times its just been work, work, work. Been out a few times to some funky bars/clubs around the area with random’s and people from work. Can’t really afford to go out too much as its very expensive but cool to see a few places. And just general hanging out. Still loving Notting Hill, and when I come back to London will have to find a high paying job so I can afford to live here.

Also had a chick I meet in Belgium come down from Liverpoole to stay for a couple of nights so that was cool to see her…but its all coming to an end here in London, and I am kind of glad now, fun experience but looking ahead to more interesting travel adventures!

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Perks of the job

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
Things have been a bit quieter since carnival, the whole week after was very very slow as I guess everyone had had enough of going out. Things were back to normal this week though. Our managers have gone on away ... [Continue reading this entry]

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Carnival

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
August 30th, 2006 Notting Hill carnival is the biggest street party in Europe and only 2nd to the Rio carnival, and I’d never heard of it! Our pub just happens to be on the carnival route and the whole area ... [Continue reading this entry]

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staying hip in Notting Hill

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
August 23rd, 2006 Ive been at the pub now for a week, and still there which is better than the last job! Its going really good, bit more relaxed than the first place, and the hours are better. Plus Notting ... [Continue reading this entry]

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to good to be true

Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
to good to be true August 16th, 2006 “so Arnika, youve finished your first week of your 2 week trial with us,and we’ve decided that your not quite right for the position, not enough experience, dont take it personally. Not my ... [Continue reading this entry]

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