First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit is a band I’ve loved for a little while now, and since they’re two somewhat-unknown Swedish sisters, they don’t often come to North America. I was quite excited to see that they were coming to London in late February, but then one of my friends here saw on a poster that they were playing a free show in a record store in Camden so we decided to go.

I put together just a short video of 3 very short sound clips for anyone to watch. Mind that I was using a digital camera and you’ll really get a feel of how incredibly talented these two sisters are! 

First Day in Edinburgh

I am just catching up on a few posts that I wrote but couldn't actually post because I had no internet. 

Friday January 27^th, 2012

I am sitting in my hostel bed in Edinburgh right now. I have been dealing with shaky internet connections since arriving to the UK, but this hostel takes the cake right now! (Otherwise I have no complaints so far—the hostel itself is huge and cozy and incredible, I got TWO pillows, and the showers are superior. I actually took pictures for anyone who cares.)

This was taken from the bathroom window of the hostel!

 

Slowly Becoming a Londoner?

Wednesday January 25^th, 2012

This past week I’ve been able to integrate myself more into the different communities within London, as opposed to focusing on major tourist activities. 

That didn’t stop me from taking a picture of the beautifully lit London Bridge at night though!

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

I got to take a nice walking tour about Jack the Ripper this week. It was a really great way to see some older parts of London, as well as learn some hypothetical theories on one of the bigger mysteries in history.

I took a bunch of pictures but unfortunately don't remember a whole lot beyond "He killed a prostitute here," but if I do remember something I will include it with the picture description!

My living quarters...

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Today I woke up feeling much better (though still a little sick). I got an early start and headed to the BUNAC office to start applying to some temp agencies… Not an idea I’m wholly keen on, but I will take any work I can at the moment until I find something a little bit more permanent. I ended up getting a call right away and arranged an appointment for 4pm.

I came back to Southwark and had lunch at Belushi’s… Belushi’s is the bar beside the hostel which gives discounted food to the hostellers, and tt’s sort of an on-going joke with the hostellers and the friends I’ve made that Belushi’s will make you sick. So far I feel fine :P.

Finally some photos!

Sunday January 15^th to Tuesday January 17^th, 2012

Jobs jobs jobs. I applied to 7 office/administrative assistant jobs on Sunday morning. I came down with a cold, actually, so I figured it was best to rest up and I’d be good by Monday if I took it easy.

For a late lunch/early dinner, Cynthia (a girl who is doing SWAP and is from outside of Montreal) and I went looking for some fish and chips. We went to one placed which was closed, despite what their hours outside said, so we wandered around Southwark and found a little gem of a pub http://www.thetrinity.co.uk/.

We were disappointed to discover that they were out of fish for the day, but ended up getting a full on Sunday roast beef with vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and tons of gravy. Oh my lord. It was very much worth it and I regret nothing. Actually, that’s not true; my only regret is forgetting my camera in a fit of hunger and not taking a picture to share.

First few days in the city

Saturday, January 14, 2012

10:51 AM (GMT!!)

And so I made it to London safe and sound. It has been a sort of whirlwind the past few days, and today I have decided to take it easy this morning so I finally have time to sit down and write out how my first few days here have actually been.

Saying goodbye

January 10^th, 2:20 AM

Oh boy, goodbyes are tough! I have officially said goodbye to my closest friends now that tonight is over, and I can happily say I don’t feel like I won’t ever see them again.

Planning a Future

Monday January 2^nd, 2012

4:21 PM

I am sitting here on my bed with lots of lists and papers and documents spread all around me. I feel like I have so much to continue planning, but I already need a break. I am leaving my home, my family and my friends here in Canada in just 10 days for a “fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” kind of adventure to the United Kingdom. London, England, more precisely.