London 1

Tokyo - London: After two busy and fun weeks filled with Masa birthday events, going away parties and Thanksgiving, I have finally arrived in London. I left Tokyo on November 27th flying KLM where I met one of Julia's coworkers. Small world! My host met me at the airport which was very kind.

Monday I made my way from Orpington at 8:21 to Russel Square via Charing Cross. There were long queues at the lifts, so I decided to take the stairs, queuing isn't for me, I'm a Berliner after all. Well after climbing 150 winding stairs and getting out of breath I realized why people wait. Later some of the team recommended taking King's Cross which is a much larger station or walking from Charing Cross. Hope to try that on Thursday. In any case, the team is lovely. I walked over to Keppel Street, the main London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) building. What a beautiful, old town, I love the quaint architecture and being in the heart of the city surrounded by venerable universities and adorable little parks. Went to get a prepaid mobile and stopped by Tesco on our way home. Fell fast asleep after a nice warm bath.

Tuesday I took a train later at 8:52, think I will try taking the earlier train in the future. Went to a Public Health lecture today on Tobacco, very interesting. After work we had a small going away for one team member. We talked about marriage, relationships, culture etc. I realized that Japan has very much become part of my identity. There was a Japanese couple sitting next to us and I heard some Japanese business men talking around St. Paul's. I went on a successful mini excursion in search of a Citibank. Took bus 15 to Trafalgar Square/Charing Cross. Went by lots of sites. Had a nice little chat about Berlin with an elderly man in the bus. I still feel like I'm walking around in a movie set :). I like it, it's an energetic city, but there's something about it that I haven't completely warmed up to, can't put my finger on it. I'm excited about making the city my own and with time I think it will grow on me, that part that I can't grasp now.

There are strikes tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov 30th related to pensions in the public sector, many people seem to be working from home thinking that is supporting the cause, though I would argue like some others that unless you are visibly on the streets you're not exactly supporting the cause. Not that I'm saying one needs to.

New words/phrases: "bits and bobs", brolly (short for umbrella)