Ten things you quickly learn about London. 

Last Saturday, I went to visit a friend of mine in London. Tink (Click to check out her blog!) took me for lunch in Camden, then we had a mooch about the area until coffee was needed! We went back to the living quarters to gear up for our night out on the town in Soho.

London is a GREAT city, but technically being a northerner and visiting the capital comes with its qualms. It is a tough love with the southerners and I am sure many could spot an outsider straight away! Before all the fun happened, I had to quickly get to grips with this much loved city. Here are a few things that I noticed as soon as I stepped off that bus…

 

1. No one has time for you.

No matter how many times you say please, thank you, excuse me, “ow you dropped something”, hello and all other every day terms, they will go unnoticed by many. YOU WILL NOT BE LOVED HERE.

2. There is no point wearing layers if you plan to be on the tube a lot.

The tube gets SUPER hot. All the time! You are on the tube for a matter of minutes between stops so taking your coat off is a no-no. You have to sit there looking like a sweaty beast for the duration of your journey. No rush hour crush for me then…

3. Calling the tube a tram.

Yes. Yes I did. Mancunian lass here! Alright?

4. Taxi journeys will cost more than £20 guaranteed.

A taxi ride isn’t just a ten minute drive. Especially if you get caught up in the nightmare traffic in London centre. You might as well walk (if I wasn’t such a lazy bitch and everything wasn’t a million miles away!) Taxis ain’t cheap. Get over it. You’re in London now lady!

5. Don’t carry a huge bag with you unless it rolls.

I kept getting my (very) large overnight bag stuck in turnstiles, shop doors, people’s clothes… Cringe. Keep it rolling with a trolly dolly suitcase. Seems to be the in thing here and much easier to cart around.

6. You can buy a skinny, sugar free syrup vanilla, almond milk latte coffee and not get looked at with disgust.

Yep. I did this too! I can actually be that guy and have everyone around me ordering the same thing. Also, the baristas are (almost) as happy to do it for you. In Manchester? Not a chance! There WILL be spit in it.

7. Your day vanishes.

With all the sights and getting from one place to another, you lose track of time. Before you know it, your day is over! Better get up early if you want to make those great plans for the day.

8. “Your rent is how much?!”

When is conversation with your friends on how much they pay for their cosy little flat and realising it’s something you could not afford. You tend to question how they are able to live. Then again, they do have better paid jobs down here…

9. You can be a nobody, or a somebody.

I love London for the way people dress here, you can be as outspoken with your fashion as you want to be. There are so many interesting styles of hair and clothing everywhere. When I was visiting, it happened to be Londons Fashion week so I saw many characters wondering around and as a people watcher, it was a dream for me! On the other hand if you wanted to blend within the crowd, it would so easy to do. Not for me though!

10. You are in love with London.

No matter how much you complain and how stressful everything is, you still love London. The people, the prices, the area… Nothing beats it. It’s a crazy old place with so many traits that no where else has and no matter what, it will never change my feelings for this wonderful place. My heart belongs to London.