I've been trying to mitigate some of the insanity by satisfying my basic needs first and foremost. I have to make another trip to the super market or I will starve. I think I would be the first person ever to starve in Kensington... I found a Jamie Oliver cookbook in the kitchen today and I was browsing through some good recipes I want to try out. I'm beginning to come to the realization that left-overs will be king for the next coming months. I plan on making dishes that serve 4 that can be reheated. Pastas are the best reheated and the chicken taste just like chicken in the U.S. <--- great choice for dinner when you just get over here. I'm juggling with the ideas of getting a gym membership or just running in Hyde Park. Gyms around here are as followed: Club Kensington is a gym northwest of here. 99 pounds for the whole stay. Imperial Gym is east of here, very trendy and hip. Indoor swimming pool, however, cost 30 pounds a month + additional fees when you don't use your membership during the recommended off-peak hours. There is a gym called David Lloyd south of here that is the closest in proximity, however, it is also very trendy. I have yet to inquire about the membership costs... Topping Up is a slang term for filling with energy, it is a word that can be attached with pretty much anything. "I have to top up my car, I need to lay down and top up, I need to top up my cell phone." It just means fill with energy, revitalize.
Yesterday, we walked down Kensington High Street and found the Carphone Warehouse, a good store to get your initial phone at. The confusing thing about phones over here is there are no phones that are specifically attached to a carrier. They are all essentially unlocked. SO, your best bet is buying the cheapest phone. After you've found a phone ask for a pay-as-you-go plan. This isn't really a plan, but a credit that can be put on your SIM card and then into the cheap phone you just bought. I payed in cash for everything, don't worry about having to use plastic.I would recommend getting an Orange pay-as-you-go. I did a little research before I crossed the pond and this seems to be a very popular cell phone provider with the Brits in London. Good coverage throughout and some very clever products with fun extras that make it an interesting brand. There are many other service providers that would do just as well so don't be bias at all when you first start inquiring, T-mobile, Vodafone, Talkmobile, just to name a few. I payed 4.95 for a cell phone and 20 to be put as a credit on my Orange SIM card.
What drew me into the Orange service provider is the extra rewards that you get with the purchase of top-up credit. To expand, there are 5 animal packages that you can choose from right when you set up the phone (should be in a instructional packet that comes with the pay-as-you-go SIM card) that include a monkey, dolphin, canary, racoon and camel. It's actually quite shrewd which is why I was interested in checking it out. Each time you pick an animal, there is a different perk attached to it. You can look into the different types of packages and rewards you get with them in the hyperlink below:
http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-phones/sim-only/pay-as-you-go
I chose Monkey, I liked it because I got free music on my phone for a month and 600 free additional text messages that don't get debited from my 20 pound credit on the SIM card. Once you've spent all the 20 pounds you had on your account all you need to do is either just buy a new SIM card or go to their website and credit the account with a credit/debit card (much easier than walking someplace). This is what they call "topping up" their cell phones. If you choose a provider and you aren't really fond of it, don't worry about it, after depleting the money you put on the SIM card, go back to where ever and try out a new pay-as-you-go plan with another provider. It's much more flexible than in the U.S. I'm not sure how easy it is to transfer European numbers over if you want to switch plans. I was given one with my Orange SIM card and I can keep it as long as I stay with Orange.
Like I said earlier, try and prioritize. Your basic needs for the first few nights are food, cell phone, a source of liquidity (cash/plastic), and a beverage of choice. I'm still feeling the jet lag and I need to sleep and eat more. These are at the base of my hierarchy of needs right now.
Sandwich express is a nearby shop that sells big sandwiches for 2 pounds. I'm might grab dinner there tonight. I'm off on the bus tour right now. I'll write soon. Tonight is a chill night for me. I met German bankers last night and they talked about a Club Aquarium on the Eastside of London. There is a pool in the club! I'll have to check that out soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment