Categories
Miscellaneous

Afternoon tea

Photo by Yukino Miyazawa

Last Saturday afternoon, my parents and I had an Afternoon Tea in the stylish Oscar Bar & Restaurant, in Charlotte Street Hotel. For nearly two hours, we tried, in vain, to eat all the sandwiches, scones, cakes, macaroons, cupcakes, biscuits, and the other mini piles of sugar that laid before us. Oh, and we drank some tea.

We left so full we didn’t eat anything else until the following day, and the number of food we left on the cake stand was still enough for another three people to have quite a sumptuous repast.

The service was impeccable, as I expected from this place, and even though it wasn’t cheap, the setting and the quality (and amount) of the food could have justified an even higher price. I also fell in love with their Wedgwood tea set.

Categories
Miscellaneous

Proud

Photo by lewishamdreamer

I’m proud of my country. I love when it’s recognised for its good things — it makes me happy when others say they love something about Portugal.

Recently I’ve been noticing I now feel the same about London. Few things make me happier than looking at the smiles on visitors’ faces, or hearing the excitement in their voices when they describe something about London they have particularly enjoyed. It makes me feel good for being part of it.

Categories
Living Miscellaneous

2012

Photo by Andy Wilkes

The original plan was to try London for one year.
Six months later, it was clear that year was going to be at least two.

Initially I never thought I’d be in town for 2012—or even to see through the end of my (first) 18-month O2 contract—, but, as weeks go by in the glimpse of an eye, it’s looking more and more likely.

Categories
Miscellaneous Travel

Back home

Photo by anthlockton

Since I went to university — almost 10 years ago — and moved out of my parents’ house, it’s been hard for me to qualify a certain place in the world as “home”.

I was born in Russia, my father is from Panama (where I’ve also lived), my mum is from Portugal, I lived for 13 years in a small town near Porto, then 8 years in the Algarve, then London. I have a sentimental attachment to many places and none at the same time.

But the more I come back to London after a trip, the more it feels like home, more than any of the other places I’ve lived in.

Categories
Miscellaneous Streets Work

Leaving Hampstead

Photo by hidden shine
Photo by hidden shine

Friday was my last day working in Hampstead. We are moving to Soho now—the heart of London, they say.

It’s been a wonderful year and I’m already missing Hampstead, but I can’t deny that the excitement of the move, of new things and new days is clouding the sadness.

Categories
Miscellaneous People Streets

Police

Photo by fotdmike
Photo by fotdmike

I am under the impression that police men walking in pairs use a different type of hat each. Am I terribly wrong?

Categories
Miscellaneous Travel

One Year Later

Photo by Image Zen
Photo by Image Zen

It’s been exactly one year since I’ve moved to London.

I’m proud to say that, after one year, I now know exactly in which carriage to get in to in order get out exactly in front of the exit.

Categories
Miscellaneous

10 things I don’t like in London

Photo by GothPhil
Photo by GothPhil
  1. Bus drivers
  2. The weather (more snow please)
  3. The fact that everywhere feels boring compared to it
  4. Too many ways of spending money
  5. Not finding a nice restaurant open at 10pm
  6. Portobello Road on Saturdays
  7. Old buildings should be better soundproofed
  8. Taxes
  9. Angry people that are unable to smile
  10. Apartment hunting
Categories
Miscellaneous

15 reasons why I love living in London

Photo by Kamil Porembiński
Photo by Kamil Porembiński
  1. The public transport
  2. The cultural diversity
  3. The parks
  4. The weather (no, the title of the post isn’t wrong)
  5. The web design events in and around London
  6. The free, high quality museums
  7. Post on Saturdays
  8. The Apple Store
  9. It’s easy and cheap to travel from
  10. The cheap DVDs
  11. The healthcare system
  12. The cats
  13. The dogs
  14. The movement
  15. Can I say French Connection?
Categories
Miscellaneous

Do you like living in London?

Photo by pnoid00
Photo by pnoid00

I’m often asked if I like living in London. I do. But I feel everyone is expecting a longer answer.