Well I made it

Greetings!!

Okay I just know for sure Michael has just rolled his eyes!!

So I am sitting in Covent Garden -yes that's right, I used the Tube all by myself and didn't get lost...much. And that was walking through the streets, not on the train. Am very happy about the drop in temperature, but it's still a bit humid. Not as hot, thank goodness!

The flight from Singapore was a killer. The lady in front of me got sick right after take off and thus had her seat down the WHOLE 12.5 hours of the flight. Consequently I had the back of her chair about30cm from my face the whole time. But it's not her fault, I know. Watched a few movies this time, The Pacifier, The Incredibles and Finding Neverland which I completely and utterly loved. I haven't been that moved by a movie in a long time. I was quite conscious of the number of people around me so I didn't have a big bawl...but the urge was definately there!

Pax Lodge. Two words. Very Overwhelming. My room is big enough to suit its needs and it sems right now the majority of staff there at the moment are Canadian, including one girl who was at SOAR in 01 when I was there. It seems this big crazy jumble at the moment, there are people everywhere I'm getting told things left right and centre, then turning around and going 'what the?'. Woke at 2am this morning and didn't get back to sleep, I know as I type this it's late evening in Oz so I think it's going to take me a while to get used to things. My training doesn't start until Wednesday so I've literally got four days to myself to come and go as I please. Marie and Breanne are taking me to Camden Town Market on Monday (yes Andrea, THE market of all markets!!).

So I get to Pax Lodge last night and managed to dump my bags in just enough time for Marie and Breanne to tell me they're going to take me to go and met George. So I'm like, 'Who is George?' and they tell me I have to wait and see. A short walk later I discover that George isn't actually a person and indeed better know as 'The George', the localpub!! What a record, been in the country just on two hours and at apub all ready!! Goodness me! So (yes Andrea, you're doing again) had this massive discussion about Snake Bites and they actually know a pub that sells them for like £3 on a Tuesday night!!

Tonight they're taking me to 'The Walk About' an Aussie Pub which is again a regular spot for the House Assistants to hang out. I think betwen the nine girls currently there, I'll know all the places to go before I even finish my training! I've remembered a couple of names already. Marie and Breanne are from Canada, Caro is from Germany, Allison is also from Canada, Heidi is from the UK, Janet is also fromCanada. We've also got a girl from Japan and Africa whom I haven't yet met. There's also another girl who I can picture but can't recall her name nor where she's from. I think I'm doing good just to remember that much!

You want to know something funny. For those of you who know the term(and there are a few I've explained it to) this is what you call a Classic Rachael Moment. So I'm in my hotel in Singapore, I've managed to sleep through my alarm. My bus to the airport is coming at 9:30am. Just on 9am I finally am ready to walk out the door. Bags are packed (they were lighter than they were leaving Melbourne, figure that out!!) so I take my smaller red bag and put it out in the hallway so I can go back in to get my back pack. As I've done this, the door has closed behind me. The problem? Well my card to get back in was in the light socket (that's how the power works) thus I am standing there thinking 'What the hell do I do?'!! Ten minutes later I am trying to talk to the room service lady who doesn't understand a word of English. Eventually we sorted out what I wanted and was able to get into my room with her master card key thing. So I checked out and got downstairs for the bus, with about five minutes to spare. You guys know me, I stress easy, I so thought I was going to miss the bus!! But it was funny, I've just turned around to open the knob and gone 'Oh shit'. He he he.

Coming through customs in London was a breeze. Like five minutes in line, walked up to the counter, swiped my passport and said have a nice day. I'm serious, it was so quick. I walked into the arrivals hall, looked at the line and knew I was going to be there at least an hour. Having special bits of paper really helps!! It took longer to get my bag than it did to clear customs!!

Well I think that about does me for this installment, it may be a few days before I e-mail again, going to try get my head around everything. Was walking down the main street of Hampstead this morning and went, ''my gosh, I am actually in London, I am actually here (and just to point out the obvious) there are English people everywhere!!''. So yes, I guess reality didn't sink in until a little while back.

I am off to get a cornish pasty, the place I brought one from three years ago is still here, so I'm going back for more!!

Couple of personal notes:

Natty: you should see all the pigeons here!! I am so serious, there's more pigeons than there are windows!!

Kathy: I know you're sending stuff over shortly, can I be a real pain and ask you to send a badge poster? You know the colour one with all the youth badges on it? I could have sworn I put one in my bag, but I don't know. I'm also missing a couple of other things but they don't concern me. If you could to that...you're a Gem!

Andrea: Used your Tube Map this morning, thank you thank you. It told me it was happy to be 'home' he he he

Right, I thought I had a few more than that...but I've forgotten more than I've taken in! Oh actually, I don't know if I am leaving anyone off when I'm sending these e-mails...if you know someone I have left off...let me know...I've got addresses scattered everywhere!

Oh and that's right, I was going to leave a contact number and address....

PAX LODGE
Olave Centre
12c Lyndhurst Road
London NW3 5PQ
ENGLAND
UNITED KINGDOM

Ph: +44 (0)20 7435 2202

Don't know how codes or anything go...but I'll look into it...But I am sure you're all smart enough to figure them out! And remember, if you call, please allow for the 14 hr time difference. If you call sometimeafter 5pm you should be right, it's about 8am here at that time....so work on that theory...

Cheerio,

Rachael