I’m used to it: officially comfortable with London. I still get lost, have close calls with large buses, and stand out like a sore thumb anytime I talk, but my attitude’s different. It’s not gaping at Big Ben but rather glancing with appreciation at one cool sight a few minutes’ ride from my house. I’m even used to the drug dealers in my neighborhood: a few days ago, one offered me weed so I asked him why the lampposts are coated with a coarse, bumpy paint. I got a slightly puzzled look and an “I don’t know, man,” but he stopped trying to sell me hash after that. I feel well-adapted to life here, and I like it. No place will ever be home unless my family and friends are there, but London’s pretty damn enjoyable!
Last night, my newly arrived cotraveler expressed disdain at the idea of going to pubs every night. I agreed, but then I thought about it some more. To be honest, I don’t have a problem going to a bar a majority of the nights in any given week this summer. I won’t get drunk, but I will meet new people and have interesting conversations. Until I find a better place to get in great discussions with unique people, I’ll wile away many an otherwise boring night at one of London’s many bars.
Biking’s by far my favorite way to get around London. It’s as fast as taking the subway, more exhilarating than a morning cup of coffee, a great workout, and I felt really hardcore when I passed a Ferrari. I enjoy the old red bike so much now I even improvised a lock for it: my suitcase strap combines with a luggage lock to provide the ultimate in DIY fabric-based bike protection. Yeah, there are safer ways to get around London and yeah, it isn’t very feasible to bike across the city during any of the many bouts of rain, but biking’s still how to move in London.
Job’s good, and I might get another: sushi delivery guy on a motorcycle. I don’t care how much I make doing something that fun; it’d be more than I deserve for how great of a time I’d be having! London pedestrians, watch out for the flying squidman!