3 Jan 06 Aldgate East
First I want to note that I haven’t figured out yet how to edit and post photos using ubuntu Linux. It could mean I won’t offer any photos until I receive my own computer, which has likely just set sail from New York (ie. beginning of February).
It’s a misty/rainy day and I haven’t yet bought an umbrella. That hasn’t been crucial yet. Matt’s still at work and I just received an email from him that all is going well.
I spent the morning searching flat listings, then had a lunch at a great takeout sushi spot called Wasabi. I decided to take the tube to visit a lettings agency near Aldgate East station. We’re just around the corner from Embankment station (directly across the Thames from the BA London Eye), so the trip was expected to take about 20 mins.
I spent 3 pounds for a one-way tube ride straight to Aldgate East, which is about 6 stops northeast. I saw a sign about Oyster cards, essentially like a NYC MetroCard, and if you’ve got one the trip would be only 1.50 - half the price - and thought I should get one for the trip back to the hotel.
Before I left I checked the map and directions were fairly simple to find the agent’s office. I forgot to bring the map book with me, but once I arrived at Aldgate East station I followed the notes I made. One problem: many streets have no names! Guess which song was running through my head…
I wandered TWO HOURS looking for the street I wanted, asking directions from a few people who had no idea. I passed twice by the Stiralfields Market, which I knew was close to the office, and zig-zagged across Whitechapel Street where the tube station was (didn’t want to get so lost I couldn’t find my way back home). In my travels I saw dozens of women with headscarves, some with burkas, and an amazing street full of tables offering Indian textiles. But I couldn’t find Fashion Street.
After giving up I wandered back toward Aldgate East via Commercial Street, as it was getting dark. Of course that’s when I spotted a sign for Fashion Street out of the corner of my eye. I found the lettings office and spoke with the lone guy there who set an appointment for tomorrow for me to view some flats. On the way back to the tube I saw another lettings office and stopped in. He quickly showed me a 1BR available right above their office which, frankly, was an old grungy dump renting for 215 pounds/week (times that by 4.3, remember) . I didn’t look past the living/reception room and told him it was maybe too ‘rustic’ for my taste.
Hopefully tomorrow’s viewings will be better. One space I’m looking at is a former council building (government subsidized). I asked the agent why those seemed to have a reputation of being undesirable, and he said those flats were previously rented to junkies so the buildings may appear very run-down from the outside. From the pics I’ve seen though, reno’s on these places have served them well. I’ll see the reality tomorrow… if I can find my way back to Fashion Street, that is :O)
Oh and I did get an Oyster Card for the ride home. I filled out an extensive application to register a card, including my (hotel) address, phone #, email, etc. The positive of that is if you lose your card they can trace it back to you. The negative is of course that ‘big brother’ can keep track of every move you make on public transport, as you have to scan your pass to enter AND to exit the system. HEY but what an incentive that you save so much money!
On a side note, I have seen more police guarding historical places and tube stations here than in NYC.
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GET FED:
Hi Tiffany and Matthew,
I hope you are having success with your search for an apartment. I look for updates on the BLOG daily. I am calling you on the weekend. Talk to you soon.
Love Mother/Mary
Comment by Mary — January 5, 2006 #
Exciting tales of London! Good luck in your apartment search. It is snowy here in Ithaca. Happy New Year too!
Comment by Dave — January 6, 2006 #
Hi Tiffany, just wanted to drop in to say hi and welcome to our city! Now you can experience life here first hand. Glad to hear that you like Sushi - I have done practically every Japanese joint in this town as I am a Japanese food junkie! If you venture a bit further out of town after you’re settled you will find some great places and great prices too. And finally - just to take issue with the “streets have no name” comment you made: this is most definitely NOT true! In London - every street has a name (unlike the US - and especially NYC - where as Bono said so eloquently the streets have no name) - it’s just that sometimes the street name signs are not always in the most obvious places! :-)
Comment by Jag — January 7, 2006 #
Hi Dave! No snow here, but it’s cold by London standards I suppose… We’re finding it quite balmy, except when a strong wind comes through. We’re not missing having to shovel the front walk yet, that’s for sure! The sun is evasive however. We saw it for about 10 seconds today out our hotel window - Matt jumped up and said “the sun! the sun!” Mostly it’s been overcast. Oh and Happy New Year to you!
And hello Jag - thanks for your comment! I stand by my comment about street signs, anyway. I believe they all have names, but I’ve stood on more than a few street corners looking for signs, but on many occasions I can’t find one (I know they are mounted on buildings). I think different areas may be worse for this, but tell me there are signs along Whitechapel at every street crossing that say Whitechapel and I’ll call you crazy :O) And we are eager to try more Japanese and Korean spots. Last night we ate at Tokyo Diner at Covent and a Korean place earlier today. We still need to find an izakaya-style Japanese spot though, so if you know of any please share!
Comment by Tiffany — January 7, 2006 #
Mary! Thanks for the comment too, glad to see you’re using your new laptop ;)
Comment by Tiffany — January 7, 2006 #
Hi Matt,
You sound real Brit already. We have got to try this restaurant you spoke about in your last blog. Did that include wine? Talk to you later.
Clement
Comment by Clement and Jim — February 6, 2006 #