Living it up in London Town

So I've been in London for just over two weeks now. It's been a busy few weeks. I have seen, done and learnt so much. I have secured myself a job - starting 1 September, done lots of sight seeing, opened a bank account and applied for a National Insurance number.

Herewith some of the interesting things I've learnt about London so far:

PEOPLE -

• There are so many cultures here.
• All types of nationalities, cultures, religions, colours, shapes and sizes.
• Those who work here generally dress very smartly for work.
• The locals travel early and late.
• The tourists tend to travel throughout the day, avoiding the human traffic at rush hour.
• There are A LOT of tourists here.
• The ladies wear lots of make up.
• A chav is jargon for someone of lower class.
• Everyone is quite serious, but I have only experienced quite friendly people.
• It is very interesting to hear a black person with an English accent.
• There are a LOT of moms with kids or pregnant women.

AREAS -

• London is old.
• Central London (zone 1) is mixed. Smart in some areas, less smart in others.
• Greater London is the areas outside zone 1.
• The houses are like sardines, all packed tightly on top of eachother.
• There is quite a lot of litter around, but there are workers keeping the areas clean all the time.
• There is a lot of construction and restoration going on all over the city, all in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
• There are SO many general dealers around, offering all your basic needs for everyday. You can never be short of anything.

THE UNDERGROUND -

• Walking underground is fast.
• Keep up with the pace or keep out of the way.
• You have to swipe your Oyster Card every time you enter or exit the underground, but if you're connecting tubes, you don't have to swipe.
• Keep to the right if you wish to stand on the esculators, keep left if you wish to walk.
• When climbing aboard a tube, always let people out before you climb on
• It is stuffy and very hot!
• There are regular announcements regarding the status of the various lines, updating travellers frequently should they need to change routes. This is very impressive.
• There is no signal underground so you can't use your phone. So if travelling with people, stick together or good luck finding them!
• Once you're up however, everyone is on their phones straight away.
• Everyone has a ipod!

SHOPPING -

• Supermarkets are awesome! Tesco's (http://www.tesco.com/) and Sainsbury's (http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/) are great for your everyday goods.
• There are specials everywhere you go, offering two for one or discount packages. It's fantastic!
• The aisles are long with unlimited variety.
• There is a whole aisle just for cake in Sainsbury's!!
• Oxford Street is the best place for shopping. It's crazy busy though.
• Self service check out is tricky at first, but so clever.

FOOD -

• The produce in the shops is fresh and colourful.
• The variety is awesome. There is so much to choose from.
• The few restaurants I've experienced have all been amazing - Pret (http://www.pret.com/), Tossed (http://www.tosseduk.com/), Starbucks (http://www.starbucks.co.uk/), Bonne Bouche (http://www.bonne-bouche.co.uk/), Belgium Waffle Company, Costa (http://www.costa.co.uk/, Selfridges Food Hall (http://www.selfridges.com/), Cafe Nero (http://www.cafenero.com)/ and La Tasca (http://www.latasca.co.uk/).
• Brown sauce is HP sauce.
• Granary bread is otherwise known as health bread.

GENERAL -

• The post men here are white and they walk around with trolley's of post.
• Post is delivered on Saturday's too.
• Everyone here recyles. I really like it.

xxx