Queen Anne Street

I love how there is a separation in architecture at the end of the road, from the older traditional style to a more utilitarian apartment building. Emphasis on the traditional buildings because, well, they're more attractive. Just to the right is Welbeck Street, which is pretty awesome as well, it has a more obvious difference at the end of the street, with modern-looking office buildings. I just couldn't get a good shot of it without getting run over by a car. I'll try again later.
Today was 10° C, or 50° F. Pretty fantastic, especially for January.

First Days Alone in London

Yesterday, I checked in to my hostel (while bringing my bag over to here via the Tube, I suddenly had a feverish heatwave and was pale and sweating. When I showed up, I was completely drenched. I looked like the silly American stereotype, lugging too much baggage.) I finished The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood in the lobby, watched some snooker and then decided to go explore a bit when I was feeling better. It was drizzling slightly, but I persevered to endeavor south. I walked through Covent Garden and down Oxford Street, stopping into a coffee/bookstore to pick up another book since I had just finished my last. However, I failed to notice that the quaint little nook I thought that would be perfect was Russian. As in, every single sign and label and word in the place was Russian. So much for finding a book to read. (I did consider getting the Hobbit in Russian for a funny memento). Continuing down Oxford, I found a Waterstones and popped in. I thought it interesting to see people holding To Kill a Mockingbird and saying "Mum, I have to read this for my class" (In accent, of course). I guess great books are great everywhere. I picked up the first book of the Mistborn series by Brian Sanderson.

I returned to the hostel and did not move off the couch for the rest of the night reading. I finished it around 11pm (Hard to tell without a watch, but I like it that way) and headed to bed. My room had the other 5 beds full at the time, and none of the guys spoke any English nor seemed interested in charades. So no bonding stories, sorry. I woke up at what I thought was around 12 noon, but it turned out to be 8:30. I slowly got up and ready, returning to the couch to read amidst the hubbub of people checking in and out in the morning. I jumped on my computer and made sure that I don't have any emergency emails. Also, my charger isn't going to work here, the plug socket for the converter is wrong. Then I went back south to Oxford Street. I caught my reflection in the windows of some stores, in my jacket I look really English. It's awesome. 

I walked into a big department store like a Nordstroms on Oxford Street. It was quite upscale, but my jacket helped me blend in. I strolled by a computer department, so I picked up a new charger for my laptop. It was silly, when I was talking to the salesguy, my words came out in an English accent. It kind of tripped me up for a second, and then I realized it didn't sound strange to him, so I continued on with it. I figured it would weird him out if I switched accent mid-sentence. After all of that, I walked over to Hyde Park and enjoyed the scenery before turning back to the hostel. I grabbed a chicken avocado sandwich from Pret a Manger which I'm about to eat. And here I am!

I believe that has summarized the fun I've been having in London so far. Also, notice I only mentioned the sandwich at Pret? It's because I forgot to eat yesterday/this morning, too excited. Silly Mark.