A year in London (photo dump at the end)

I was 19 when I left Pearson Intl Airport on my way to my new life, or more accurately Heathrow Intl. Beside me was Alec Backmund, who I had befriended some months prior at his job where he had worked as a cashier. One day when I had a particular strong craving for some chips, Alec had proposed to me that "We should move to Europe." I agreed on the spot, and worked a tidal-wave of overtime to save for our upcoming adventure. We each had just under $4,500 and while we reckoned it would be enough to last a month, the reality is that it barely lasted two weeks rendering us broke and jobless in a foreign city.

But this isn't a sad story.

We had gotten an email from a prospective employer who had wanted to interview the both of us. We made our way to "The Lyceum Tavern" which is located on the Strand, and were interviewed by the lovely owner Keiller, who had run the pub for the last 3 years with her boyfriend Stuart and their two sons Charlie. Within 20 minutes of arriving, we had landed the jobs and were told they would have temporary accommodation provided while we waited for a free room. The 'temporary' accommodation as it turned out, was the Chefs room at a pub owned flat. Although we felt bad for kicking George out, he had insisted that he was more than happy to bunk with Charlie and Charlie who stayed in the room upstairs. George would later become my best mate.

Not long after, we had hired on a new member of staff and she too, needed accommodation. Unfortunately for Alec and I this meant it was our turn to do what Georgie had done for us and take up new lodgings while things got sorted. We ended up at the Captain Kidd, which is a pub on the Thames (which remains my all time favorite place to live).

We met tons of amazing people there, and would often drink after hours with the staff. But all good things must come to and end and after a few weeks we were moved into a room at our pub. And although it was small, it's hard to complain when you're living on the Strand.

Christmas in London:

I don't know if you've ever experienced Christmas in London, but it's completely surreal in the morning, as the empty streets make it look more like a post-apocalyptic movie set than a hustling city.

We spent the day playing games and drinking while Keiller, her mom and Stuart prepared a feast for us. It is perhaps my favorite memory of my time spent abroad.

Some months later, the new staff had quit and Alec and I were moved from the Pub back into the flat at Red Lion street. And things were finally stable enough to allow us to travel.