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Stress and a World of Friends:
I must confess to you all that in terms of sight-seeing I have achieved little this week as the majority of my time has been swept up by the demon that is job searching. The Republicans have destroyed the world's economy and unfortunately it has a nasty toll on Australians in the UK, therefore employment really has been at the top of my list. I do however feel more than inclined to keep this more up to date than I have been.
I was walking through London just last week and saw a sign that read "Unemployment Reaches 300,000 in the centre of London". The situation as it stands for this country is quite dire and the mere whisperings of recession (such a dirty word) become more and more prominent in day to day discussions. But London seems to soldier on. I must say for my love of the city the people here really are ... cold ... driven ... machines.
Honestly the general accepted consensus in London is every man for himself, and whether you march through the gates of London's King Cross or meander down Oxford Street the shopping district of London, waltz down the Strand, shuffle along Chancery Lane with the suits and briefcases marvel at the architectire on Fleet St. You are guaranteed to get hustle and bustle, any time of day anywhere on the pavement and if your eyes divert from your course for a split second an angry or disgruntled Londoner cursing you or ramming you comes by and it happens so fast you stop and wonder if such an act of un-friendliness occured. Of course during your ponderings another three people bump into you.
I have to surmise that because this city is so alive with culture and life, with business and money that as it has grown exponentially over the hundreds of years and gets larger and larger and larger, the population has got more rushed to keep up with everything and have forgotten what human interaction is. I smile at someone on the street and in hindsight regret it because the eyes of death are what follow from the recipient of your smile. I brush past someone and apologise and in return get a grunt.
Please don't consider my small rant there the main objective of this blog, I certainly do not want to paint the picture that London is a terrible place, I'm still madly lovesick for the city and have grown quite fond of its streets and daily surprises, just today I sat in Trafalgar Square and watched a Bollywood film being made. But I merely want to outline how fast-paced your regular Londoner can be, I'm sure a nice person, but just intent on his or her mission that day. Which is why the spirit of London is best served with a fellow friend, a Laugherteer, an amigo.
Without my close circle of friends from Australia Ive been forced to jump into pubs and make friends over a couple of pints. For me I've been lucky enough to receive the company of Hazel and Asha, two links back to Perth. Who come with a wealth of entertainment and lighten up the experience of London quite considerably. In essence then, this entry is to highlight them as some new good friends and travelling partners that make excursions into the mysteries of London all that more exciting and thrilling.
So thank-you, combined with Kellie and James you complete my circle in London. And although it all seems insignificant, you guys are my world of friends.
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