I’ve spent most of Saturday getting a bank account which is almost impossible here if you do not have an income yet. Even with A.’s history at his bank which is over 20 years or mine in the Lowlands which is also over 20 years it wouldn’t make a difference. I will have to start allover again building up credit with this bank. Lucky me we have been talking with a very very nice lady who was willing to spend 2 hours with us sorting out the best option so I could bank online, pay online and get a debit card [type of card that we don’t have in the Lowlands].
She registered me as self-employed and that way I could get most of the benefits without being still at the bottom option on the ladder of my new banking career. I’m half way now which is good and I’m very happy that we managed to get the job done. I’ve read all sorts of horror stories online and was totally prepared to be rejected. A. didn’t believe me as usual so he was surprised to find out that I was telling the truth and I have been doing my research online… I’m with Barclays now, which is the same bank A. works for [not that it made any difference, just a fact to mention] and in a few days I will get my debit card and will be able to by corn cob bedding for my mice online… what a relief!
I spent half my Friday looking for anything decent to wear/buy at two big clothes stores nearby but I didn’t succeed at all. High Street fashion is definitely not my type of fashion. I do like ‘hoodies’ so I bought two and one pair of trousers because I’m in need!!! Because I got frustrated on Friday A. wanted us to go to Camden Market where it would be more likely for me to succeed since fashion there is weird, extravagant, different, unusual, un-highstreet-like and much nicer; the alternative way. To my Dutch friends: High Street fashion is somewhat in between Kalverstraat mode and Jordanese dames met teveel [nep] goud of [nep] merken… Camden Market is meer Waterlooplein achtig; errug leuk!
Anyway we spent about 3.5 hours there at the market and I’ve found the right gear although we need to go back and buy another one because there was only one grey pair. If you would like to see Punks, Goths, Fetish, Alternative and also common people mixed together than this is the place to go. I now understand why some of my friends love it *grin* There’s a really nice vibe/atmosphere and people are relaxed. It is crowded but still not really annoying, we might go earlier next time though. Weather was beautiful and we were lucky that it didn’t rain! I had a wonderful weekend and accomplished a lot thanks to A.! Camden Market website –>
Tag Archives: Clothes
Oxford Street
I took the bus today which was cool! It took about 45 minutes to get to Oxford Street where we were supposed to go shopping. It’s cool to be in a London double decker, it’s the perfect way to do some sight-seeing and navigation at the same time. I loved it! We had coffee at Starbucks and then went separate ways. I. and A. went to buy a drum kit, A.’s latest gadget. We went looking for clothes… I found two new dresses but they don’t fit very well so I need to adjust them. A. didn’t really like them so I hope he will after I’ve changed them… He’d better!
We met up after a few hours and had a drink in the tiniest pub I’ve ever been to so far. We then took a cab and went to Borough Market near London Bridge. Borough Market is grateful for the coverage it regularly receives through the press, radio and television. The market has also become a special favourite amongst celebrity chefs. You can always spot a famous face amongst the crowd! I didn’t see Jamie though, he must have been in bed with a hangover… 
It is a really nice market! Fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and we even found my favourite Belgium beer: “Rochefort” which was way too expensive [over £3,- per bottle] but A. bought a few anyway. I finally found pecan nuts so I have some on stock. It was very hard to find them but I know now where to get them from. We then had lunch at Wright Brothers Oyster and Porter House. We had to wait for our seats for quite a long time but the food was worth waiting for! While we were waiting A. ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate moving to the UK, his new job and my emigration… I never had shrimps like that before: so creamy and full of flavour! The others had oysters as well but I didn’t eat them. I don’t really like them to be honest. That champagne was good: I was totally tipsy after only two glasses…
We took a cab to I. and C.’s place to chill, cook dinner and watch a movie. Saw ‘The Butterfly Effect’ again, very good movie. A. has been playing on his new gadget all evening. I have to admit it’s really cool! It has been a wonderful day!!!
