I have a funny way of remembering things. I could spend hours feeling grumpy about a head-to-armpit incident in my morning commute and days rummaging over how annoying it is to get yet another bank holiday soaked in rain. And then – the second I’m over it (the moment I finally leave London for greener pastures), I think to myself: it wasn’t that bad, really, was it?
I admit that I started this post quite a long time ago (back when I was still living in London) but I could not bring myself to finish it. Now that I’m in Spain, I’m slowly coming to peace with the city that, at times, was so ruthless. In fact, I find myself missing the simplest things (like, public transport, parks and cute and crowded pubs!). Good and bad, this city has taught me a few things I would have probably not learned otherwise:
- The difference between a cappuccino, a latte and a flat white
- How to start a conversation by chatting about the weather
- Or London property prices
- Where to stand on the platform to face the carriage doors – increasing my chances of getting a seat
- Never to change at Waterloo
- Nor at Bank Station
- Bus beats tube (always)
- Food festivals are fun but also a rip off
- When I see a queue, I feel an urge to join it
- However, no matter what critics say – no food is worth queuing 2 hours for
- Walking – while drinking a green juice, sending an e-mail, under the rain on Oxford Street without bumping into people!
- There is no such thing as a quick drink after work
- Wednesday night has become the new Saturday night
- £6 for a glass of wine is normal…
- …and so is paying £900 for a tiny room in zone 3…
- ….in a shared flat – with strangers
- Your postcode is a status symbol
- North East London is further away from Clapham than Brighton
- People go bonkers when the sun comes out…
- …and in such rare occasions, it’s perfectly acceptable to cancel any appointments to spend the afternoon in the park
- However, cancelling plans with a friend means not seeing them for another 3 weeks
- Umbrellas are for out-of-towners – us Londoners throw on a hood!
- You burn almost as many calories going to the supermarket as you do going to the gym
- Nobody lives in Mayfair – it’s a myth
- It’s not sunday until you’ve had a roast and a Bloody Mary
- Gordon’s wine bar is always a winner for a first date…
- …except if your date doesn’t like wine…
- …In which case, it’s probably better to dump them before it’s too late
- You know there won’t be a day you’ll be completely happy…
- …but hey, at least you’re in London!
- (Bonus: you’ll just need to accept that you’ll never be able to buy a house, ha!)