As of today I’ve been living in London for exactly one year.  I thought it’d be fun to record some of the things I’ve learned since arriving.

GENERAL THINGS:

Living abroad…

is not always fun and exciting.  There are times when little tasks become more frustrating and difficult when you’re out of your comfort zone in a new culture and new country.  But how you react to these things can make you a better person.

Family and Friends…

are missed often, especially when you know they’re not easily reachable.  3,500 miles away and an 8 hour flight is a long way from home! I’ve learned that communication is key and figuring out new ways to communicate (via skype, facetime, phone, even this blog) keeps my family and friends close to me.

Establishing a network of friends in your new location…

is incredibly important.  When I moved here, there were lonely moments.  I managed to meet a few new people through random connections…i.e. a daughter of my mom’s neighbor, a friend of a friend from New York City who moved to London a year before me, and the list goes on.  Meeting new acquaintances and friends has decreased that loneliness and increased my excitement about all the new changes in my life.   It’s also made me feel less like a tourist and more like a real resident of this city.

ABOUT LONDON:

London is a great base…..

from which to explore the rest of Europe.  Flights to destinations that would take 10 plus hours flying from the US only take between 1 and 3 hours here. And the discount airlines are great if you’re willing to take very early or late flights and be flexible to get the best fares.  Check out EasyJet.

All pubs in London are not created equal….

Typically you can come across a pub on every other street block. But there are differences, and understanding the pub ownership  (i.e. Fullers, Youngs) and the pub chains (e.g. Wetherspoons) may help you determine what you should expect when you enter.  I’ll be posting an article about this in the near future for anyone interested.

British Humor…

is a little different from American humor. Watch any of the trivia or game shows on BBC to find out more.

Driving in London….

is only for the brave and very patient person.   Someone once told me that the streets in London were developed for horses, not for cars.  Makes sense knowing the history. Crowded, narrow streets all over central London are shared amongst bicyclists, double decker buses, motorcycles and mopeds, and cars.  It’s precarious.  The roundabouts add an extra layer of complexity.

Public Transportation….

is comprehensive and efficient.  The rail network and tube system is easy to understand and you can travel to so many places by train! The frequency of the trains is impressive. But a disadvantage is that the costs are ridiculously high.

A FEW THINGS I’M STILL CONFUSED ABOUT:

Which way to walk?….

I understand that the English drive on the left hand side of the road and the drivers sit in the right hand side of the car, but walking is another story. If anyone reading this blog can explain to me whether you should stay to the right or stay to the left when you’re walking down the street, I’d love to know the “proper” way. Please comment at the bottom of this post!

A “Mansion” in London…

doesn’t always mean a wealthy property.  Sometimes it just might mean a block of old flats.

Understanding why I hear  “the Americans” mentioned in lots of pub conversations…

My view only, but it seems the Americans are talked about here. Sometimes it’s just in conversation about politics, customs, media, or music but it’s interesting living in a city in which I’m an outsider, and trying to figure out how I am judged as an American, what the stereotypes are, and how I potentially could change any negative stereotypes the English may have of us and fit the positive ones.

SUMMARY

I love this city, and living here with Jim at this time of our lives is wonderful.  During the times I feel slightly down about living so far away from home, I will always stop and reflect about the things I am most appreciative for.

Taking a walk is usually the best way to do this.  Today, I took a long walk after leaving a dreaded dentist’s appointment in central London.  This is what I came across along the way…

Horse Guards Parade

No words to describe just how beautiful this was. …Lots more to learn and see this year.