Coventry: My humble abode

I have been adventuring around Coventry the last couple days, and am warmly reminded of Victoria B.C. from time to time. I don’t think there’s a single stretch of straight road for more than a km and it’s pleasantly been raining at night time to start off each day clean & fresh (clean & fresh for England that is...). Since Victoria has double Decker buses, it’s not so shocking BUT – some two-way streets and bridges are so crazy narrow buses have to swerve and squeeze around parked cars and dodge on-coming traffic. There are a couple bridges and secondary roads that only allow one vehicle at a time, and it’s like playing an unfair game of chicken. Imagine going around a traffic circle in an accordion bus (two buses attached together with a rubber hub) and you can almost see the driver directly across the circle when you’re seated at the back of the bus.

I’ve been busy buying a couple suits for work as the dress code is tie and suit jacket. During my day shopping in downtown Coventry, where tipping and costumer service aren’t required and the term “Y’alright” is equivalent to “How are you” because neither party is interested in the answer and should really be saying “Hello”, I have encountered Lady Godiva the patroness of Coventry. Apparently she rode down the streets of Coventry on a horse stark naked in the 11th century to reduce taxes and free up peasant money in support of the arts – what a woman! Maybe this is the platform the BC teachers union is looking for?? I start work tomorrow, so it’ll be interesting to see how the British School System compares to Canada... I’m up for the challenge and am already in the good books with my boss - since she’s my roommate and I’m the king of breakfast cuisine he he he...

UK arrival!!

Finally after 4 hours on the phone getting my flight changed, 16 hours of traveling, a free upgrade to business class, lost baggage in New York, a 2 hour bus ride with my knees touching the back of the seat in front, and a 6£ taxi cab ride on the wrong side of the road.... I have landed in Coventry, England :-) The lost baggage was crap at first, but within 24hrs it was couriered to my Coventry address: this meant I only had to lug my 10kg carry on bag and laptop from Heathrow Airport to Coventry with front door delivery of my two 50kg suitcases. What’s 24hrs of not changing your underwear in comparison to front door service?? In University I didn’t shower during final exam week, so this was nothing in comparison and a pretty sweet trade off.

I’ve spent the last 36 hours acclimatizing, and discovering the local pub life: although I haven’t slept during the day here, I’m still wide-awake at 4 in the morning. Caroline: two local pubs down and 2 more to go. My humble abode is located in the midst of “Chav country”. A [Chav] is a British cross between soccer poser, wearing the bling-bling & white trash. My neighborhood looks like a scene from Coronation Street.

My room has a shower in it, and I pretty much feel like a porno star/stripper. There’s a soft light above it and I can see an iridescent reflection of myself getting all soaped up. All I need now is a pole to complete the set... but I’ll have to fly out Kris P. to give me lessons. Besides my new roommate Sarah, I’ve also moved in with two Feline critters who enjoy commandeering my bed. The term “sleeping with the cat” has never been so appropriate; at least they keep me company at 4 in the morning;)

Besides minor heart attacks while whipping around traffic circles with Sarah, things have been pleasant. Next week I’ll get acquainted with my new school and start work on Friday. Until then I hope to catch a musical in London and perhaps paint the town red (and white).

Canmore layover:

I’ve spent the last few days visiting my Dad in Canmore, AB. The perfect location for a great Canadian send off. It was a pretty sweet adventure fishing for 9 hrs sans port-o-potty, sitting ‘biotch’ on a Harley Davidson, horseback riding through Kananaskis country and making sure my baggage met the weight requirements for international travel. Although I’m moving across the Atlantic Ocean, it doesn’t feel that terribly far away. I usually visit my family once or twice a year, and living in the UK will be no different – it’s pretty much another year in Victoria, B.C. but with funny accents, European access and playing the sexy foreigner card. I’ll miss my friends and family.

Penhold pending...

I have officially wrapped the Penhold cadet camp, and my mom's coming to pick me up tomorrow at noon. It's almost like I’m a 13yr old camper again, all I need is the waterworks, BO and a signed camp shirt. This is the last time I’ll wear my military uniform for awhile [shucks:)] At least it attracts the ladies;)

Next stop Canmore and three days fishing with my dad (aka running away from cougars and bears, waiting for the sun to set, and being stranded in the middle of the Spray lakes in the dark) I look forward to surviving until my next post. 5 days until England!!

A weaken add fence?.......

It was a week in advance, and all through my head
not a single thought was stirring, nothing was said

My luggage is packed, about to burst its guts
and all I can think is whether I'm sofa king nutz

I shall be telling this with a sigh,
two contenants diveriged in the atlantic and I,
I took the one that will put me out 8 hrs of sleep,
and question if i'm redonkulous for the time difference;)