learning to love london
we’re back in london, safe and sound. it’s only our second full day back, and already i feel the need to get about the business of finding a flat, finding a job, getting a life up and running again. thereis a definite element of culture shock – i’m no longer used to flushing toilets and hot water as standard. walking out the house without having passport/camera/plane tickets glued to me is a very strange feeling. the price of groceries is unbelievable. i feel like an outsider looking in, someone experiencing the city for the very first time. disorientation.
i’ve been here before – having to adapt. and now i am learning it all over again.
the strangest thing is the sense of object permanence. the idea that i can leave my toothbrush in the bathroom, my clothes in a drawer – they will all still be there tomorrow and the next day. there is no more packing, no more living out of a bag. everything has its own place, everything stays put. i can’t get used to that.
but i will. i’ve learned that i can get used to almost anything. and be happy almost anywhere. so i will learn to be happy in london again. it might take some time.
and i’m sure i’ll have a lot to say along the way, so please visit my “regular” blog over at jen’s den of iniquity.
thanks for coming along for the ride.
“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” – ursula le guin
October 17th, 2006 13:56
welcome home, baby! wish i were there.
you want my former landlord’s number?
October 18th, 2006 15:49
thanks for taking the rest of us strangers along on your ride. reverse culture shock is just as jarring as culture shock. good luck on re-acclimating to life in london.
October 23rd, 2006 19:50
so so glad to hear you made it home safe and sound. thanks again for sharing your experiences, it was a welcome escape
October 26th, 2006 12:34
I’ve loved reading your blog entries, you are such a good writer (I agree with Daddio 100%) It’s also great that you’re back – look forward to seeing you and I’ll never get bored listening to your stories.