Move to England - Day 1
Made it to SFO on time, Karina and Daniel drove me, mom was going to meet us at the airport. When we arrived mom called saying she missed the bus and wouldn’t get there until 2:30pm probably. I was a bit nervous that she wouldn’t make it in time, but as luck would have it she didn’t miss the bus and as we were walking towards the British Airways check in desk, mom was coming right up the escalator.
There was no line at the desk so I checked in my bags really quick, then we sat down and ate burgers for lunch. Then it was time for me to head through security. We took some pictures and said “See you later” with no tears luckily. Though silly Karina handed me a note as we were parting which said on the front “Do not open until I am out of sight.” Just reading that alone made me teary eyed. Went through security fine, then as soon as I got to my gate I opened her note, read it and cried a bit. Not that is was super mushy, just very sweet and reminded me what an amazing sister I have.
Boarded the plane, and my game plan for the flight was similar to my last trip to London- sleep the whole time to beat jet lag. However this did not work because I started chatting with the guy sitting next to me and he was very gregarious so we were talking on and on for most of the flight. We joked that the poor lady next to us must hate us because we were talking for so long. Whatever, I was enjoying our conversation. We finally shut up when they turned off the lights in the cabin indicating “it’s time to sleep.” I had a pretty good sleep, then woke up with about 2 hours left in our flight. Ben (my fight buddy) and I went right back into talking on and on until we landed.
At Heathrow I went to the “Non EU” passport line because I thought it would be better to travel into the country under my US passport. When I got to the desk the woman asked me why I was here, I said I am moving here. She asked if I had a visa, I said I don’t need one because I have an Irish passport. She said for me to use that one instead, so I was through immigration in a flash. Got my heavy ass bags, which Ben was kind enough to help me with, then headed to the underground to catch the tube to Paddington station.
I was nervous how I would manage my two large bags going through the tube, because there are not always lifts or escalators which means lugging them up a flight of stairs. Luckily there was always a kind gentleman to assist me with my bags. Got to love being a girl. Made it to Paddington station with about 1 hour to spare before my train departed, so I ate some Burger King, chilled in the station reading up on Vodafon and their mobile plans, then caught my train to Bristol. Slept most of the way on the train.
When I arrived at the Bristol station I caught a taxi to Nick’s pub, Sublime. It didn’t look open so I was at the front door knocking and then one of the staff came to the door and helped me in with my bags. Silly me, the place was open. Next time I should probably try the door before assuming it is closed. Jake, the guy who opened the door for me, and I had a laugh about that, wanted to make sure he didn’t think I was some stuck-up American expecting the bellboy to take my bags for me. Met John (JD), the other owner of the pub, and he told me they were just finishing cleaning upstairs. So I went to the bar and had a pint while they finished up. Then JD and Nick came down, met Nick and they showed me to my room. It’s very cozy, obviously not some huge room but it had a twin bed, closet, and several shelves. I like it. And the bathroom is right across the hall, which I could tell the guys had really cleaned up for my arrival. Candles and popuri and fresh towels, very sweet of them.
Took a bath which was like heaven after 12+ hours of traveling. Then hung out downstairs at the bar with Jake and his friend Guy while I waited for Nick to take me to a shop to buy sheets. We didn’t quite make it in time though, all of the shops were closed or closing, so we’ll create some make-shit sheets for the night. No biggie. I am just so happy and grateful to have a place to stay. Oh and the bar is fantastic. Really cool, trendy place. And everyone I have met so far is very nice. Didn’t get to the bank today like I thought but I’ll do that first thing tomorrow, and then get my mobile and I will be happy as a clam. (Why are clams known for being happy? Was there some sort of study done?) I digress…tonight is poker night at the pub, so that will be interesting. Think I’ll be a spectator. Bummed that Smacky isn’t picking up on the wireless in this place…will have to call Apple possibly in the AM to see what the deal is.
There was no line at the desk so I checked in my bags really quick, then we sat down and ate burgers for lunch. Then it was time for me to head through security. We took some pictures and said “See you later” with no tears luckily. Though silly Karina handed me a note as we were parting which said on the front “Do not open until I am out of sight.” Just reading that alone made me teary eyed. Went through security fine, then as soon as I got to my gate I opened her note, read it and cried a bit. Not that is was super mushy, just very sweet and reminded me what an amazing sister I have.
Boarded the plane, and my game plan for the flight was similar to my last trip to London- sleep the whole time to beat jet lag. However this did not work because I started chatting with the guy sitting next to me and he was very gregarious so we were talking on and on for most of the flight. We joked that the poor lady next to us must hate us because we were talking for so long. Whatever, I was enjoying our conversation. We finally shut up when they turned off the lights in the cabin indicating “it’s time to sleep.” I had a pretty good sleep, then woke up with about 2 hours left in our flight. Ben (my fight buddy) and I went right back into talking on and on until we landed.
At Heathrow I went to the “Non EU” passport line because I thought it would be better to travel into the country under my US passport. When I got to the desk the woman asked me why I was here, I said I am moving here. She asked if I had a visa, I said I don’t need one because I have an Irish passport. She said for me to use that one instead, so I was through immigration in a flash. Got my heavy ass bags, which Ben was kind enough to help me with, then headed to the underground to catch the tube to Paddington station.
I was nervous how I would manage my two large bags going through the tube, because there are not always lifts or escalators which means lugging them up a flight of stairs. Luckily there was always a kind gentleman to assist me with my bags. Got to love being a girl. Made it to Paddington station with about 1 hour to spare before my train departed, so I ate some Burger King, chilled in the station reading up on Vodafon and their mobile plans, then caught my train to Bristol. Slept most of the way on the train.
When I arrived at the Bristol station I caught a taxi to Nick’s pub, Sublime. It didn’t look open so I was at the front door knocking and then one of the staff came to the door and helped me in with my bags. Silly me, the place was open. Next time I should probably try the door before assuming it is closed. Jake, the guy who opened the door for me, and I had a laugh about that, wanted to make sure he didn’t think I was some stuck-up American expecting the bellboy to take my bags for me. Met John (JD), the other owner of the pub, and he told me they were just finishing cleaning upstairs. So I went to the bar and had a pint while they finished up. Then JD and Nick came down, met Nick and they showed me to my room. It’s very cozy, obviously not some huge room but it had a twin bed, closet, and several shelves. I like it. And the bathroom is right across the hall, which I could tell the guys had really cleaned up for my arrival. Candles and popuri and fresh towels, very sweet of them.
Took a bath which was like heaven after 12+ hours of traveling. Then hung out downstairs at the bar with Jake and his friend Guy while I waited for Nick to take me to a shop to buy sheets. We didn’t quite make it in time though, all of the shops were closed or closing, so we’ll create some make-shit sheets for the night. No biggie. I am just so happy and grateful to have a place to stay. Oh and the bar is fantastic. Really cool, trendy place. And everyone I have met so far is very nice. Didn’t get to the bank today like I thought but I’ll do that first thing tomorrow, and then get my mobile and I will be happy as a clam. (Why are clams known for being happy? Was there some sort of study done?) I digress…tonight is poker night at the pub, so that will be interesting. Think I’ll be a spectator. Bummed that Smacky isn’t picking up on the wireless in this place…will have to call Apple possibly in the AM to see what the deal is.
posted by Triana @ 3:25 AM
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