Updates - Travels, Theatre and Random London

It's been a while since I've posted an update on what I've been up to... three months in fact! How time does fly! So buckle up ladies and gents, I'm going to try and distil 3 months worth of London life, travels, thoughts, and more into a few paragraphs or before you nod off to sleep...whichever comes first.

July

Holy cow was it a busy month. It saw the end of Ramadan and a celebratory Eid picnic with my London friends family, just a before starting my travels. I spent 10 days checking out Salzburg and Vienna in Austria before flying home, packing like a mad woman (and organising last minute movers) moving flats and then flying out to Tallinn, Estonia for a few days.

Both Austria and Estonia are beautiful and I had a great time exploring. As you no doubt noticed though, I have failed to write anything about them save a favourite moments post from Tallinn. I will get there...one day...(What? It's possible!)

On the moving side, it was hard to say goodbye to almost two years with my flatmate who had become like a sister to me :( but I'm happy that she is following her dream of living in sunny Spain. I was nervous about moving in with a bunch of strangers...moving in with people has always been odd to me...but two months in and things are still going well.

August

Back from my travels, I settled back into life in London, restarting my couch to 5K, catching up with friends over lunches, dinners and coffee. Not content to sit still for long though, I booked on to a London street art tour (wish I'd done it sooner!) and went on a couple of escapes from London. One escape was a taster of the Peaks district national park in Derbyshire and one to explore the seaside town of Whitstable.

And what's London life without a little bit of culture? I was over the moon about going to a talk by an author fast becoming one of my favourites and getting a couple of books signed - total bookworm heaven for me. Plus I managed to squeeze in a trip to the theatre to see Kinky Boots! It is such a fun musical, I highly recommend it.

The month ended on a warm and fuzzy note. An old flight attendant friend of mine popped into London for a few hours, I hadn't seen him in years and it was great to catch up, I only wish we'd had longer! There is something about old friends which is very comforting, it's like being home and grounds you, don't you think?

September

OK so London was on form this month. The city put on not one but two events. It was the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London so they had a bunch of events for that. I saw two of them, one was a light installation on St Paul's dome and the second was a fire garden at the front of the Tate Modern complete with live atmospheric music which made for a very unusual night.

The second event was the annual London Open House weekend (if I had a pound for every Londoner asking me what that is...!). Basically, London opens its doors to the public, for free. There are a mix of buildings; private homes, government buildings, members only clubs, churches, museums, places of worship, company buildings, theatres, community centres, libraries... the list goes on. Some you need to prebook, some have a ballot (like 10 Downing street) and other you just arrive and queue for.

I had an idea of where I wanted to go and managed to fill my weekend peeking behind closed doors. The highlights for me were seeing inside the Astronomical and Geological Societies (they had some serious #bookshelfporn) and the bizarre only-in-London moment, lying on the auditorium floor looking up at the spiral staircase of London's City Hall.

Aside from London's festivities, I hit up the theatre again...three times. Harry Potter (tickets booked 10 months earlier), Matilda, and a couple of nights ago, Secret Studio Lab.

It was also the month I got to know my flatmates a bit more, we went out for dinner and hit up Colombia Road flower markets for some flowers for our garden - stopping for brunch and coffee of course. They are fun and lively and really down to earth, I'm so relieved that things are going well so far!

There were more brunches and dinners with friends to be had too. Oh, and did I mention that time I watched Notting Hill in a bed under the open sky? Or when I saw Bumblebee and Anthony Hopkins filming for Transformers 5 in central London?

Reflections

Despite the rosy picture all this paints, the past few months had its difficult moments and quite a bit of naval gazing. A close friend of mine was going through a rough patch both on the work and family front and needed support which I did my best to give. Inevitably though, being so close to that made me think about my own family situation, I worry about my mum all the time and it's hard not being able to be there for her - it has made me rethink a few things. I don't know if this is a case all expats face or if everyone gets it expat or not?

I also realised that I can shoot myself in the foot by being too polite. I can come off as indifferent and I forget to relax and just be myself. Not smart. And it has the additional downside of feeding my bad habit of putting others first All. The. Time. (I'm not saying you shouldn't put others first, sometimes its important, I'm just saying that I do it beyond what is healthy).

I did find out (in a rather convoluted way) proof that I have pretty strong will power and a bit of courage. There was something bothering me and you would not believe the lengths my subconscious went to, to ignore that something and pretend everything was fine. Eventually it took my painfully acknowledging that it was a weakness (what? I have a weakness? no way!) to turn it into the first step in building up some strength, after all, we are human and we all have strengths and weaknesses.

Right, enough deep and meaningfuls. Did you fall asleep? You have some drool on the corner of your mouth...don't worry, I wont tell...here's a tissue ;) If you didn't fall asleep during all that...seriously, you probably need to reduce your caffeine intake.


Till next time!
xo

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Life lately - update

Sorry, I am, really, I disappeared on you without any notice. Its been 4 weeks since my last post. I did start the year with the best intention to not to fall off the blogging bandwagon and I've been much better this year I think, other than this slight hiccup. But that's Life, you know? And London, that heady temptress, luring me away with tantalising experiences that I can't help but be drawn in. But I do love her, after all, she was my Valentine this year ;) Anyway, I won't make any more excuses. If you are still here, thanks so much for sticking by me!

So, you want updates, right? What have I been up to? What's next on the agenda?

What I have been doing in London?

So, so much. There has been the usual, brunches, chit-chats over coffees and dinners. I've also been checking out the theatre: Stomp and Austentatious (a great improv theatre group). I've also been lured by the Gingerline into their Chambers of Flavours, a brilliant dining experience, I could tell you more but it's all very hush-hush. Being the festive season, I've been wandering around London, enjoying her Christmas lights, trees and window displays (Harrods has a fun one on).

The entrance to the 'Chambers of Flavour'

Oxford St & Selfridges Christmas lights

Brunch at Restaurant 34, Mayfair

The shoemaker and the ...mouse? Harrods window display.

What I have been doing personally?

So I've had a bit on my plate, I had some family stuff that ate up a good few weeks of my time and sent me to Beirut for two days. I didn't get much of a chance to explore so would love to go back and explore that city. Also, there is that project that I keep alluding to and was in my last years New Years Resolution, it's been started, progressed and is now flagging due to other commitments.

Beirut street art - sorry for the fuzzy pic!

What's next?

Those of you following me on Twitter (@travelsbyvp) know I'll be turning tail over Christmas and heading to the sunnier climes of my home in Sydney. I'll be there for a good few weeks for some much needed R&R. (BTW are you going away or staying home?)
Now here is the question I have been wrestling with. Should I continue my online break so I can plan, prepare and refresh? Or should I continue to blog? I'm thinking I might 'officially' take a break and if a happen to post then it'll be there waiting for you when we're all back from the holiday season. Hmmm. Either way, I'll be sure to let you know and not leave you wondering about my going AWOL again.


I hope your past few weeks have been good and you're looking forward to some much deserved fun and festivity.

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How to swap an Australian licence for a UK licence

I could be anyone right now and you would never know. I don't have any 'official' proof that I am who I claim I am. I could be anyone...

On Monday I handed in my Passport and my Australian drivers licence to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), the UK government agency in charge of all things licences and the final word on whether you are allowed to grace the UK streets in a car and not be eternally reliant on buses, trains and other modes of public transport. Unfortunately you can no longer go in to your 'local' DVLA and have them process your application over the counter (a few years ago you could), now all you can do is send off your application, passport and licence to a processing centre in Swansea and hope that it doesn't get lost in the mail. Tracked or not, it can happen. Why oh why dont they accept copies of passport certified by your embassy??

So for all you Aussies out there wanting to exchange your Aussie licence for a UK one, here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a UK licence.

1. Order the application form.
Go the 'Exchange a foreign driving licence' page and go through the small questionnaire. Generally speaking, if you are Australian and have a car or motorbike licence, it tells you that you need to request a D1 Pack (Its an application form with some additional info - its for a driving licence for a car, moped or motorcycle) and links you through to the DVLA order form page. Pop in your details and the form will be on its way to you in a couple of days.
2. While you're waiting for the form to arrive, get a passport photo.
There are loads of photo booths or you can stop at a photo shop like Snappy Snaps who can do it too. As you will be mailing through your passport with your application, you DO NOT need to have a witness sign the back of the photo. Make sure your photo adheres to the official guidelines.
3. Fill in your application when it arrives with all the relevant details.
Make sure you select 'To exchange my non-UK licence for a GB licence'. Don't forget to include your passport number in the proof of identity section!
4. Take copies of everything!
I photo copied and scanned my passport photo page, UK visa page, front and back of my drivers licence, and the application. Its not a requirement for the application, but it'll give you *some* peace of mind when you are without ID.
5. Now you need to mail it all to the DVLA.
• Take your application, passport, drivers licence and application (with the photo!) to a post office. Best to go to one that deals with licences (UK ones) as they are more likely to have staff that understand the process.
  
• Take cash or make sure you have a normal (non-credit card) bank card with you as the teller can process a withdrawal for the amount.
  
• Buy buy a cashiers cheque to the value of the licence fee, for me it was £43. A cashiers cheque is kind of like a money order and there is a £5.38 fee to buy one.
  
• Ask at the counter for the special delivery envelopes, they are silvery/grey in colour, and have a tracking number. You'll need to buy two (at £6.45 each including weight of documents). Write your address in the 'To' field on one envelope and the DVLA address on the other. The DVLA address simply is "DVLA, Swansea" plus the post code that corresponds to your fee, in my case it was SA99 1BT.
  
• Tuck your passport, drivers licence, application, cashiers cheque and envelope with your address on it in the envelope to the DVLA, seal, send and you're done!
  
• The total? I ended up paying £61.28 pounds in costs for the application.
6. Waiting time.
The DVLA quotes about 3 weeks to process, I've allowed 6...you just never know what can happen. I'll post back once I receive it. Also, you won't get your Australian drivers licence back. But if you do go home, you can drive on your UK licence as a visitor without needing an international licence. See this site for links to state specific rules. Here is the one for NSW.

If you have any questions, or think anything is missing or incorrect in this guide, do let me know!

Have you exchanged your licence? What was your experience like?

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London life lately

It seems that I have finally fallen off the blogging bandwagon despite my New Year's resolution. Life has been busy since coming back from my trip to France and blogging has unfortunately taken a back seat. So just what have I been up to?

On the food front, coz really, London is full of great food spots, I've been brunching at beautiful Pachamama on Marylebone High Street, having the most melt in your mouth BEEF ribs at Lord Wargrave off Edgeware Road, and visited Sushi Samba for a second time - it was as delicious as my first taste.

But no busy London life is complete without a trying out one of the latest Escape Room games (this one with a bit of creepy twist), following a white rabbit to Alices Adventrues Underground (for a second time!), and having a taster session at the Heartbreak Hotel.

And lets not forget the Art Deco beauty of Eltham Palace and stepping through the doors of Downton Abbey before flying off to Dublin for the Bank Holiday before coming back and then going to Londons first Diner En Blanc on Thursday which was amazing! Whew. I'm exhausted just recapping all that! I'm itching to share all this with you but for today, I'm going to slow down, head out to one of my fav chill out spots, grab a cup of tea and some cake and just relax with a good book.

What have you been up to lately?

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How to meet people in London

Im interrupting my Valencia posts for something I've been wanting to write about for a while now.

When I moved to London, I didn't know anyone. I had no family, no friends, nada. I met my first friend in the hostel I was staying in, it was rather awkward. Since then I've made a few more friends, its not always easy, you do have to put yourself out there, but one of the great things about London is that there are so many people in the same boat, you are bound to meet others looking for friends too!

Also, lucky for you, I'm here to help you get started. If you are thinking of moving to London but don't know anyone, here are 7 ways to meet people in London (that don't involve going to bar or pub!) and, hopefully, make life-long friends.

Hostel
Obviously not everyone moving to London will stay in a hostel, but it is a good way of meeting people. Some people will be travellers but keep an eye out for people who are looking at shared accommodation websites or job sites. Like I said, I met my first friend in a hostel, I eavesdropped on her conversation and plucked up the courage to butt in and now we hang out every other weekend :)

Work
This might be a bit more difficult depending on which industry you are in. In my first job I made friends with the receptionist who was an Aussie who'd also recently moved to the UK. Everyone else seemed to be content with their own circle of friends. However in my next job, I met a bunch of people, one of whom I became good friends with and recently asked me to be her bridesmaid!

Meetup.com*
I met two more friends through this site. One of which has become one of my best friends. If you haven't heard of it, Meetup.com is a site that is all about getting people together to do stuff, any kind of stuff, whatever you are interested stuff. From knitting, to rock climbing, to culture-vulturing, to dancing and partying and absolutely anything in between and beyond. If you have an interest, no matter what it is, chances are there is a social group for it. I signed up to a few groups, and went to some socials and viola, met a bunch of people, two who I've remained good friends with. They can be a bit hit-and-miss as they can be set-up and run by anyone, so its a good idea try a few. Some groups charge a small fee, but usually you can go to a couple of socials before you decide whether you want to hand over your cash. I wouldn't recommend any that don't do that really. Being London, there are hundreds of groups and you can easily find something else.

ThinkingBob.co.uk*
I found these guys through Meetup.com, where they initially started out. They have since branched off to form their own social club and I am actually a paying  member. I like them because their events are a bit different, they get you thinking and you always meet interesting people. The people who run the club are lovely, really friendly and fun and if you ever meet Phil...well, lets just say he is quite the character! I enjoy their treasure hunts the most (I think it was this post that i mentioned the treasure hunt around Covent Garden where I saw a snowman lick a bin) but they have all sorts of socials to cater for different interests.

Internations.org*
Internations is an expat community website. They have forums for your questions, 'ambassadors' who are local points of contact for the expat community, guides about London and, similar to meetup.com, social groups run by members. Membership is free or paid, Ive opted for the free one. I haven't been to any socials yet, so I cant comment on how good they are for meeting people. However, I mention Internations for 2 reasons, 1) I wrote an article for them a while ago on finding a new home in London so, as a source of information, you know you are getting information from people who live and work where you are. 2) You can approach people directly. Today I met a girl who reached out to me through this website. We come from a similar background and it was nice to meet and get to know her a bit. I'd like to think we got along well and I do hope that I gain another friend as a result. 

Blogging/Tweeting/Instagramming
I have found the blogging community a great source of wonderful people who are open and inspired to go out, meet people, and have adventures. It really is one of the more unexpected benefits of blogging. I have met so many bloggers since moving to London and engaging in the blogging community. There are at least 4 bloggers which I have been getting to know over brunches, afternoon teas and other get-togethers. It really is nice to have someone as keen as you to explore this city with. So if you have been toying with starting your own blog, DO IT! If blogging isn't your thing, try Instagram or Twitter. You are bound to meet lots of people who share your interests and make new friends.

Sporting teams/groups
I'm not a sporty person, but I've listed it here because its worked for my friend K. She joined a running group where she met her fiance. If that isn't a recommendation, I don't know what is! I know there are a lot of sporting teams out there, you see them in the parks on weekends. So, if you are the more active type, this will be a great way to meet people too.

*Not sponsored. These are sites I have personally tried.


Do let me know if any of these work for you or if you have any other ideas to share!

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Moving to Sydney - A Locals Introduction

When I moved to London, there was so much I didnt know and wish I did. It was everything from how to find a place to live, to where I could buy work clothes, to how to navigate the every day (post, transport, phone and internet, money). After 2 years, though I will occasionally still ask people about where to find this or that, I feel I have finally gotten a grip on living in London. These thoughts however have spurred me on to launch the #LondonExpatLife chat to help others.

In reverse though, giffgaff have asked me to share a few things about my home, Sydney, should you be thinking of moving there. As a local, there is so much I could tell you, but you would be reading forever. So, to make things easier, here are some introductory tips for moving to and living in Sydney.

Where to stay
I grew up in Sydney's western suburbs - it is suburbia to the max, and takes forever to get anywhere. Unless you are planning on living in Sydney long term, stick to the inner city suburbs or along the beaches. There are lots of popular spots, and other travellers who would be looking for housemates. Places along the beaches like Manly, Bondi Beach, Coogee, Cronulla, Bronte and surrounding areas are popular. In the city, for a trendy vibe, try Paddington, Annandale, Surry, Leichhardt, Balmain, or Glebe. But bear in mind these places do attract a premium rental price. Good websites are www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au. Both of these sites do listings for flat shares as well.

The famous Bondi Beach

Street art in Glebe

Finding work
The most popular jobsite is www.seek.com.au so start your search there. If you are signing up with a recruitment firm that specialises in your industry, you can expect an interview so they can find out what you are after and to get to know you in person in order to better place you. Don't be afraid to sign up with more than one. It's also a good idea to find the names of companies you would like to work for because often they will do their own recruitment.

Sydney CBD skyscrapers

Where to shop
Pitt Street in Sydney city is the most popular shopping strip with a Westfield newly opened. In your local area you will most likely find a grocery shop (Woolworths - aka "Woolies" - Coles, IGA, Aldi) for everyday food essentials. For basic homewares and basic clothing, there is Kmart, Target, Big W. The two main department stores are Myer and David Jones. For electronics, try JB-HiFi or Bing Lee. Furniture, electricals, etc: Try Ikea, Harvey Norman, Fantastic Furniture or The Good Guys.

Where to eat
Sydney is not lacking in good places to eat, so there is no point in my listing all of them. But here are a few things I'd like to pass on. Coffee is amazing. You'd be hard pressed to find a bad cup of coffee. Also, you can get amazing asian food here, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese: You name it, it's going to be amazing. If you are a fan of seafood, you should try the Sydney Fish Markets at least once! Be sure to get there early though. One of my favourite cafes in Sydney is Sappho Cafe in Glebe. Newtown is also home to lots of good affordable eats. If you are a fan of good Sushi, then you cannot go past Sushi Rio on the corner of Sussex and Liverpool streets in the city. (Thanks to my lovely friend Amanda for this one!)

This post has been sponsored by the international phone network giffgaff as part of their campaign to share insights by locals into their hometowns for anyone heading there on an adventure. I usually talk so much about London that it was a nice chance to share a bit about my own home and hopefully inspire you to visit, or ease you into living in Sydney, if you happen to be moving there.

If you live or have moved to Sydney, what is your top tip about moving there?

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Update from London

Hi all!

Im back in London and I have been busy getting over jetlag, sorting out work issues, organising catch ups with friends and planning fun things to do. I mean, who wouldnt want to go on a walking tour of Londons toilets, right? The life of a London expat :) Im happy to say that London greeted me with some lovely warm weather (allow me to clarify, that is warm according to London standards), sun and blue skies.

Im lucky to be staying with a friend for a couple of weeks while I sort out my work situation but after that i'll be staying a hostel - last time I lasted 6 weeks before getting a little fed up with inconsiderate people. I did meet my first friend there though so it'll be interesting to see how long I last this time around.

current view from my room - not bad :)

I think that one of the hardest things, when moving to a new country, is feeling settled. And despite having lived in London for 2 years, I dont expect I will feel settled for at least another 6 months.

A big part of this is not having a permanent home. When I left London last year, I had to give up my place and now I will have to jump through all the delightful hoops of the London real estate market all over again. I still cant decide if I should find a place of my own again (and pay through the nose) or start up my own house share. I think once the work situation is settled, that will help me decide.

Such a poser!

In the meantime, I have a little furry creature occupying my friends house who I'm totally in love with and is always on the look out for cuddles and pats. Nothing destresses like a purring kitty dont you think?

Dont forget, the #LondonExpatLife Twitter Chat starts next week, details are here.

Also, my blog has been nominated for Australian Writers Center Peoples Choice Best Blog Awards. If you like what you read, be sure to vote for me - just click on this fabulous button to get started :)

Thanks!

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Does it ever get easier to say goodbye?

No, it doesn't. I have been away from home twice now - three times if you count this recent period at home - and it doesn't get easier to say goodbye to your family, your friends or everything you know or have come to know.

Here is the thing. Even if you are leaving for a great adventure or opportunity, you are still walking into the unknown so it is hard to leave behind the familiar and the comforts of home. If you are leaving a great experience abroad to return home then its hard to say goodbye to those friends you've made, the life you created and that chapter in your life that will soon become but a memory. And if you are leaving home again, for the second or third time, you know what you are getting yourself into. You know about the struggle, the occasional loneliness, the things you will miss about being home, how hard it is on the people you are leaving behind and how much you will miss from each others lives.

Sorry if I'm rambling a bit, it is 7am Sydney time, almost 1am here and I'm on about 2 hours of airplane sleep. Probably not the best time to be writing a deep and meaningful post but I have the time.

OK, so how do you deal with saying goodbye? Here is what I think helps me.

1. Acknowledge your feelings, say what you need to say, feel sad, feel a bit panicky. But set yourself a limit or it might overwhelm you. If you don't think you can do this then just skip to #2
2. Focus on the positives. Why you are going? What is the long term/overall objective?
3. Figure out a communications plan and visits. This will not just help you, but those around you.
4. Distract yourself. Take silly photos, talk about anything but your leaving at the airport. Save that book you have been dying to read or movie you have been itching to see for the departure.
5. Remember that it isn't really a goodbye, you will see the people you care about again.

I have to say, some of these are hard to do and I'm always keen to hear how other people manage. How do you deal with saying goodbye?

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#LondonExpatLife Weekly Twitter Chat

*UPDATE (29th July 2014) - This chat will now be taking place at 9pm LONDON Time on the first Wednesday of each month.

Today I have something exciting for you. I have joined with three lovely London based expats to bring you a weekly #LondonExpatLife Twitter Chat!

This chat is for current London Expats, anyone who is dreaming about moving to London or is already in the process of taking the leap. So, if you want to know what its like to live in London, have questions about the process of moving there or even where to find that perfect cup of coffee, then this is the chat for you. Join in, share information and experiences and meet a bunch of other London expats or wannabe London expats and, who knows, you might just make some good friends in the process!

I will be posting reminders in the lead up to this chat so follow me on Twitter (@TravelsByVP) to make sure you don't miss out.

How it works:

1. The first chat will take place on Wednesday 16th April at 9pm GMT.
2. Beginning at 9pm (GMT) my co-hosts and I will tweet 5 questions at 10 minute intervals
3. Each week (starting 9th April) I will announce a topic on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GlobetrotterPostcards) and you can submit a question on that topic for the following weeks chat
4. When you answer you will need to use the #LondonExpatLife hashtag in your tweet
5. If you would like to co-host, simply tweet the questions during the weeks chat
6. If you have a particular topic you'd like to focus on, shoot me an email on GlobetrotterPostcards@gmail.com

Meet my lovely co-hosts (be sure to add them -and me- on Twitter!)

Sammy (@SammyDornDLT)
London expat via Brisbane. Has been living in London since July 2013.
Loves: The street food, the travel opportunities and the history.
Loathes: Peak hour tube rides and the rain.

Emma (@LondonKiwiEmma)
Longhaul, accidental London expat via New Zealand.
Loves: Exploring, perma-tourism (finding tourist-like delight in a permanent home), history and the secrets behind old doors.
Loathes: Icy pavements, sitting still, bad service, queue-jumping and awkward social greetings. 

HappyEverAfterBride (@Happy_E_After)
Trailing spouse in London (since Feb 2014), have lived over a decade in both Australia and Malaysia.

Loves: The multiculturalism and the better opportunities there is in London for work and life experiences

Loathes: Having to be indoors quite so much and not having easy access to the beach and picnics. 

Me (@TravelsByVP)
London expat via Sydney and Middle East. Ive been in London since January 2012.
Loves: That there is always something to do in London, travel is on your doorstep and its a melting pot of people and cultures.
Loathes: Having to trek for good coffee. And the weather - don't even get me started.

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Announcement: Returning to the London Expat Life

I have some brilliant news I'd like to share today...since leaving London, I have, over the past few months, been doing more than enjoying being home, I have been working on getting back to London.

I'm happy to announce today that I have been incredibly lucky in getting a UK Sponsorship Visa!!! I didn't want to get my hopes up, that's why I never mentioned it but now I can celebrate! And just like the time I got my UK Working Holiday Visa, I'm bouncing off the walls with excitement.

So, London, I'll be seeing you real soon! I can't wait!

P.S For those of you who are interested I will be doing a post about my experience applying for the UK Sponsorship Visa soon so stay tuned or subscribe so you don't miss out.

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Making my first friend in London - The Expat Diaries Linkup

Westminster Abbey

When I first moved to London, I didn't know a soul. My first six weeks were spent in a hostel. I was working nights (remotely) on wifi that kept dropping out every 10 minutes, going cross-eyed reading and reply to ads in the search for more permanent accommodation, trying to adjust to hostel life (it was my first time), and exulting in the excitement of finally having made the move to London and simultaneously fending off the anxiety of being on my own.

Pretty swish for a hostel dont you think?

 The best thing about hostels is that you get all walks of life there and generally, because of the shared-room/facilities setup, people are more open to connecting with others. Of course there are the exceptions such as tour groups, friends travelling together, school groups, sporting team etc who tend to stick with people they know.

Our hostel came with its own knight!

I was staying in a pretty nice hostel with a huge common room, a breakfast/dining room and bar. As the days lapsed I began to notice people who weren't just passing though. There was a girl who spent each morning Skyping with someone back home, a guy who was older than the average crowd who seemed to know all the staff well, a group of young teachers who were temping at different schools while trying to find a permanent placement and home amongst a few others.

Portobello Road Markets

One evening I opted for the slightly quieter breakfast room to work and eventually found myself in the middle of the group of teachers. My ears perked up when I overheard one girl say she had found a room in a really nice area at a bargain rental rate. My first words, to what wold become my first Aussie friend in London, were when I butted into her conversation with an envious "Wow, how'd you manage that?"

Snow in Clapham Common during my first house hunt

It wasn't an instant friendship, I bumped into her a couple more times before I mustered up the courage to ask for her number and, after that, the courage to send her a text inviting her to do something.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Its not easy making friends as an expat, you just have to bite the bullet, get out of your comfort zone and speak to someone. I'm glad I did, my time in London would not have been the same without them.

Yes my new found friends we're nerds Harry Potter fans too

This post is part of the The Expat Diaries Linkup hosted by Postcards from Rachel. Pop over to her site to read more expat stories or to join in the fun.

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Goodbye 2013, Welcome 2014! Reflections on New Years in London and Sydney

In a couple of days we will have said goodbye to 2013 and welcomed the new year. Last year I was lucky enough to spend it in London. I piled on the cold weather gear and made my way to Victoria Embankment so I would be able to see the clock tower of Big Ben and be Thame-side to watch the fireworks explode from the London Eye. The vibe was amazing, I'll never forget it. People were in high spirits, dancing in the street and generally having good time while waiting for the countdown to midnight.

This year (if all goes to plan) I will be hitting up my favourite spot in Sydney harbour to watch the fireworks in the warmth. I enjoyed London's fireworks and recommend making the effort to go see them if you haven't already but, in this firework-lovers humble opinion, Sydney has THE best fireworks in the world  ;)

At the close of 2011 I was on the edge-of-my-seat excited for the new year. It marked the start of my expat life in London and everything that I had dreamed. I remember standing there watching the fireworks shoot out of the Harbour Bridge, explode in the sky and light up the entire harbour. My eyes followed them each explosion reverberating inside my chest and increasing that feeling of being on the verge of a great adventure. I wondered when I would be home again and be back to see in a new year and what was in store for the time till then.

Needless to say, I had an amazing time. My time as an expat in London was well spent, even if I wish I had done more. I saw in the Queens Jubilee, visited the Lakes District, said hello to Edinburgh again, was able to show my brother around Cambridge and had many other explorations. I met some wonderful people whom I hope to keep as life-long friends and fell more and more in love with London, its afternoon teas, cute neighbourhoods and enchantment than on any other previous visit.

I am excited about 2014. I am keen for more adventures abroad (I am, after all, a die hard travel addict) and meeting a few more of my blogging friends in person. So as one of the first cities to welcome in the New Year, let me wish all of my lovely readers a brilliant New Year! May 2014 bring you travel, adventure, great laughs and good times with friends and family. Thank you for joining in my adventures on this blog, see you in the New Year!

With Love,
VP

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Top 5 pros for an Expat returning home

As we descend, the plane skims the clouds, is engulfed by them and then drops below into an overcast Sydney. Its not the first time my home has welcomed me back with rain. My 24+ hours of travelling is almost over and London could not be further away.

What is my brain thinking at this point? Am i missing my friends in London? Missing London itself? Looking forward to seeing family and catching up with old friends? Nope, none of that. My brain is thinking about wonderful, blissful, horizontal sleep. And the fact that the rain is temporary. It is summer in Sydney :) What can i say. I don't function well without sleep. Or coffee.

I said goodbye to London on Wednesday and landed in Sydney on Friday (no clue where Thursday went). Leaving people you care about behind is not easy, even when coming home to family and good friends. I did what i could by way of goodbyes and now I'm here, I'm am determined to make the most of things. I'm sitting here at Circular Quay in Sydney, the sun is out, it is warm and there is a nice breeze. There are pros to coming home, aren't there?

Top 5 pros for an Expat returning home

1 - Spending time with family. My lovely family have been very supportive of my time in London, it will be great to spend time with them now I'm back.

2 - Catching up with old friends. I love all the friends i made in London, but there is something about being with old friends that s just different. I cant wait to see them again.

3 - Getting to know home as a tourist. As my home, I've always neglected to blog about Sydney as i do about other cities i visit. I hope to change that.

4 - The familiarity of everything. I know how to get where i need to go, i know where to find things and that sure is relaxing! Its second nature.

5 - The possibility. Its a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning. For some this may be daunting, but it is, without a doubt, a chance to do whatever you want to do.

While I'm fairly recovered from the madness that is packing up my expat life (though still slightly affected by the stupor of jet lag) I'm slowly waking up and buzzing with excitement for this next chapter. I'm looking forward to enjoying the Sydney summer, the New Years Eve fireworks, the things that have changed and those that haven't (which always makes my time away seem less like a dream), the good coffee and fresh food and, of course, all those things on my pros list too!

What has been your experience returning home? Any "pros" i should add to my list?

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2 weeks to go!

Yesterday was my last day at work. In a couple of short weeks i will be heading home. Right now i am happy, elated, bouncing around and excited. It was the right thing to do, leaving my job early i mean. I need to have these weeks to say goodbye to London. There is always more to see but there are a few things left on my list that id like to do before i go and this is the time to do it.

I'm also excited about the next few months. Moving home, catching up with friends...escaping the London winter for the bright, blazing Aussie summer :) I cant wait. I'm excited to have time to catch up on my blogging and i have something up my sleeve that i hope will work out, but I'm going to leave you in suspense and not tell you right now. Hehe. Yell at me all you like ;)

For now, its goodbyes. Will i be back? I don't know. I want to come back, i do love living in London and i have made some lovely friends here. I will miss it. I will miss forgetting that i live in this amazing city and realising with a start where i really am. I will miss the myriad of things to do and opting for a coffee with my friends instead because I've been lucky enough to have found them. I will miss being blaze about going somewhere for the weekend because its close, affordable and doable.

Who knows what the future will bring? All i know is that where I'm standing right now. I'm excited and eager to find out. And, as always, you are welcome to join me on my journey and find out what happens next!

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Buying a ticket home and what that means

I’m really nervous. I have butterflies wreaking havoc inside my chest. I’m scared to even breathe…my life will go off on an entirely new tangent in a couple of months, London will cease to be my adopted home and I’ll have to walk away from the life I’ve built here and friends I’ve made. It’s not that going home to Sydney scares me. Its leaving London. I have had a bit of a rocky ride but I have really enjoyed exploring this city. I have enjoyed seeing things become familiar yet still pinching myself when I see the grand icons of London.

Earlier this week I bought my ticket home. It wasn’t easy. I was riddled with nerves and could barely bring myself to click on the final point-of-no-return purchase button. Such a tiny button, so poingnant. And with that, and a flutter of cyberspace, i'd sealed my path to head home at the end of November. Eeep!

Now i have to get organised. There is so much to do! And i counted, i only have 10 weekends left. My list of things to do in London is *still* as long as my arm! Actually, i think its longer! 18 months in London and i still feel like i have barely scratched the surface. I really love this city.

From a practical perspective it should be relatively easy to pack up my life a second time round - fourth if you count leaving home twice and leaving my expat life as a flight attendant in the sandpit. Leaving people behind however, that never gets easy. I have bought my ticket back to Sydney and that means its real, i have to go and i have to say goodbye. BUT I plan on making the most of my last couple of months here so bring it on London, make me miss you even more when i go!

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Update: My Experience with Westpac

Following on from my last post detailing my experience with Westpac customer service as an Expat, below is the update I wanted to share with you all.

After my that post I called Westpac again and spoke with the Collections department. The lady there was surprisingly switched on and could confirm that there was a block on my account and that I could have my case reviewed (I was curious to see what their process was) by the manager who was unfortunately busy at the time. She said she would refer my case and that once a decision was made it would be noted against my account so I could find out when I called back. I asked her to have someone call me and she said she would ask their contact centre to do that. In the meantime, she said she would process the refund for the balance I had in credit.

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Unfortunately, I didn't hear a single thing for a week. I called a couple of days ago and while the refund was processed, my case was not reviewed and there was no decision. Needless to say I thought that was just very poor service. The lady was, again, surprisingly nice and suggested she bring my case to her manager once more at which point I said forget it. I did not want to wait for a call that wouldn't come, I didn't want to waste my time and I did not want the card anyway, I was just curious. She eventually offered to put me on hold to wait for the manager but I declined. She was in the middle of asking another question when my connection dropped out. I didn't bother calling back. I had my refund, I didn't want to continue being a Westpac customer.

One Tweet later and Karen Ganschow, Head of Customer Relationship Marketing and Digital at Westpac got in touch asking for my contact details which led me to speak with Matthew Weston located in London! Who knew there was even an office here? The Australian contact centre didn't!

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Matt was nice and very apologetic about my experience. He did ask if there was anything he could do to which I said no, the experience had left a bad taste in my mouth and I wanted nothing more than to prevent others having a similar experience. He was honest enough to say he understood. He went on to tell me that it was a known issue that the contact centres required further training, that there was a 24hr service desk for telephone banking and card services (nothing for collections) and how my account was now unblocked (even though I specifically asked for it not to be). I passed on my blog post, along with the 10 tips I believe Westpac could improve on, and he advised he would pass it on to a more senior level.
 
Matt also advised that there is a program in the works for expats due to start rolling out in 6-8 months time that will hopefully allow for more robust banking for Aussies in the UK. And if you want the 24hr contact number for Westpac its 0061 292 939 270 for telephone banking and 0061 363 451 058 for card services. Bear in mind that the card services number is the one I used and got nowhere with in my situation.

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My feedback does appear to have gotten some attention as yesterday, I heard from Spencer who runs Westpac's Twitter account. Spencer also apologised for not coming back to me and advised me that my feedback had been passed on to the appropriate teams. He also noted that their bankers do have the ability to send emails and that their Team Leaders can call overseas. Even Karen contacted me on Twitter yesterday to ask if I felt my issue was progressed.

I think Westpac has a long way to go in their customer service. At the moment, teams appear to be very siloed without much visibility over what other teams do. I do hope they improve, but for now, I made a call this morning to have my account cancelled. While I appreciate Karen, Matt and Spencer's efforts, I shouldn't have had to resort to that to begin with.
 

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