Exploring the Area

Pre-sunset view from the balcony. Just can't get enough of this view!

I've had a nice couple of days here in London, having settled in a bit more. My body has adjusted and I'm feeling healthier than when I first arrived, so I was able to really enjoy the area yesterday and today, as I hadn't been feeling very well until now. On Friday, I took myself on a walk up and down Brixton Hill, checking out some neat shops. Found myself a cute outfit at a department store (pink pants!) and a few little things to help me get organized at the flat. Then I decided on a whim to go check out a movie at the Ritzy Theatre--"Rise of the Dark Knight," which I had missed back home because I was out of town most of July. I hauled it on my walk down to the theatre so I wouldn't be late, and I arrived about 10 minutes early. Apparently, they don't arrive early to the movies (called the cinema), as I was the only patron at the theatre until right before the film began. There were some funny commercials and a few movie previews before the film began, and I got a kick out of those. I loved the film, though! I had no idea it was going to be so good--or emotional! :) If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you go check it out. I just love Christian Bale and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (so handsome!) and Anne Hathaway was fabulous! Also, I felt pretty proud of myself for going to the movies on my own for the first time, and I actually enjoyed the solitude...and the air conditioning! Since I've missed so many summer blockbusters, and films come here later than in the states, I'm excited to see a few more this summer. "Brave" is next on my list of must sees. And maybe "Magic Mike." Haha!

On Saturday I had plans to go meet Clare, who I was introduced to through a journalism teacher friend back home. My friend Dana worked with Clare when she came to the states for her student teaching, and I'm so glad Dana introduced me to Clare via Facebook because it was a great day! To get to Clare, I braved the bus by myself, which really wasn't hard at all once I figured out where to go. But since I'm such a driver-commuter, public transportation is a bit of foreign concept for me. First I went to the wrong bus stop and had to go back to the flat, grab the A-Z ("Z" is pronounced "zed" here, by the way) and figure out where the street was that I need to be on. I actually had a bit of trouble with this, so I looked at london's awesome public transportation website, Travel For London (tfl.gov.uk), and figured out where to go. Once I found the bus stop, it was really easy to get to Clapham Commons Station, where I was meeting Clare.

Clare is fabulous, and she took me all over Clapham, Battersea and the fabulous Chelsea neighborhoods. Chelsea is way posh and totally adorable! She showed me all the fabulous shops--including my new fav Cath Kidston, a designer of the lovliest bags, clothes, accessories, etc., all made from the cutest, girliest prints ever! I got a couple really cute things here, including a fun weekend bag. And the best part was they put your receipt into a very cute Oyster card holder. Oyster cards are the account cards you pay into, then swipe on the Tube and busses when you use public transport. I LOVE my new Oyster card holder!!!! Look how cute it is:

Clare also took me to a fabulous fish and chips shop, and we enjoyed some good, British fish and chips. The waitress insisted I try mushy peas (Mom, you would hate these!) and I was hesitant, but I actually enjoyed them, which made the waitress smile.

Fish and chips--and mushy peas!

Clare and I parted in Chelsea, after she helped me top up (add money to) my Oyster card and then showed me exactly which stops to take home. Then I took the Tube by myself home, which I know shouldn't be a big deal, but totally is for me. I even had to transfer lines--and I didn't get lost! I was feeling so confident when I got off the Tube, that I decided to go ahead and take the bus back to the flat. Well, the only trouble was that I didn't know which bus to catch, except #250, so I waited a few minutes for the 250, hopped on and was cruising up the hill. Then I realized I didn't know what stop to get off on. Although I'm familiar with the landmarks on my road, I haven't yet learned the street names, so I hopped off the bus a bit too soon. But no big deal, a short walk and I was home.

Now I'm just enjoying my evening at home, having a lovely Skype session with my sister and relaxing a bit. Tomorrow I have plans to meet up with a couple colleagues and their friends to watch the Olympic closing ceremonies. I'm so excited to meet more nice people and get a taste of the Team GB pride that's so vibrant around here.

Clapham Commons--a huge park where everyone comes out to enjoy the sun. They also have section for sports and recreational activities.

Clapham shops--kind of a cruddy pic, actually, but it's super cute!

UK's TJ Maxx--for all my bargain hunter friends :)  And yes, I went in and it looks just like ours! Horray!

Chelsea's Saturday Market

People gathering to watch the Olympics at the Chelsea Saturday Market. Go Team USA and Team GB!

More of the market 

The America aisle at Partidges, a grocery store in Chelsea. Clare made sure I knew where this was just in case :)

Kings Road is a famous street in Chelsea where all the fab shops are

The Chelsea brownstones--love! So chic!

Posing with purchase from Cath Kidston in the Chelsea square. It was a good day!