The interview that didn't happen

Friday I spent much of the day traveling to the interview that didn't happen. I left the hostel at about 10:00 am and went to figure out how to use the transportation here. I didn't have an Oyster card (a debit card for travel, so you put money on it, use that until you run out, and then 'top up' to put more money on it) or any coins to buy a bus ticket, so I went to go find one.

I stopped at the Warren Street Underground Station and got some assistance from the staff there. I bought an Oyster card and was on my way. I took the Underground to Victoria, near the southern part of London, and then found my way to the National Line Train. I barely made the train, and then relaxed a bit while I rode to my destination. On the way there, they announced over the loud speaker that there was a fatality at another train stop, so the trains were going to be delayed for an unknown amount of time. I was going to be late for my interview.

I called Wanja at UK Pro so she could get a hold of the interviewer. I finally reached the right stop and had just gotten into a taxi to the office when I got a call back from Wanja. Apparently, the person who was supposed to interview me quit earlier that week and had not told anyone about my interview. It was cancelled. So, I had the taxi driver bring me back to the Train Station.

Honestly, it was not such a bad thing. I decided that I do not want to work outside of London--it would be much too difficult to rent a car and drive to homestays and such. It would have been nice to have the practice with the interview, and it was a bit expensive to get all the way to Redhill for nothing. At the same time, I learned the transportation system pretty well and I got to see some of England that I may not have seen otherwise. I took a different way back to London--towards the London Bridge--so I got to see more of the city, such as the Eye, Big Ben, and a few other landmarks. I liked it.

Eventually, I made it back to the hostel. I was pretty tired and took a nap for the rest of the afternoon. It was very restful.

Friday night met up with Kate in Ealing Broadway (where she is living) towards the west end of London. I think I will forever remember the mental picture of Kate standing outside of the pub, I was so happy to see her! We greeted each other with huge hugs. We spent the rest of the evening talking and hanging out with her friend David from Ireland. We stayed out much too late, but had a fun time. To end the night, we bought chicken kebobs and chips (fries) and walked back to Kate's flat.