Here are my initial thoughts:
-It feels a lot less uptight and more relaxed than in England
-The guys are way hotter over here. I planned to avoid going on dates abroad but now I am not so sure...
-No one told me the number of words we use differently: bin/trash, cash point/ATM, cinema/theatre...
-Everything feels way over the top. Now I know why people call Britain "Little America"...
-People look angry but then are so friendly when you actually chat with them.
-The American flag is everywhere.
-It feels wrong seeing police routinely carry guns.
-4 way intersections with no traffic lights are terrifying. Where are the roundabouts?
Travelling really is amazing. Even between cultures that are quite similar it's amazing to see and appreciate the differences. I am in a slightly rural area now but will be going to more of a city in a few days.
I have some downtime and would love to chat about everyone's first impressions of America/Britain!
EDIT: Wow this post really blew up. I think it confirms that we all love it when someone comes to our home and enjoys themselves.
Thank you so much everyone for all the helpful tips and well wishes. I have been innundated with things to do and will definitely be dropping out a few PMs to find out more about a couple of things.
Just in case anyone is interested in hearing it, I will do a full scale update about my trip when I head back to London the week after next.
PS If anyone is free on the Saturday of Labour day weekend and doesn't mind wasting it with me it would be really cool to ditch my family for a bit and meet up! Let me know (by PM or comment here)
I moved to London from Bogotá less than 2 weeks ago. I decide to buy a bike for health, to enjoy the summer, to start my shift at work at 6:00 a. m. and to avoid the long wait for busses here.
Never ever in Colombia someone stole my bike, even when Colombia is of course a most dangerous country and I used to move in bike.
Here, the f***ng junkies who no one can tell anything because is not polite, just decide to thief bikes in the middle of the city, to anyone, at 8:00 am in front of everyone’s eyes and no one does or care anything, I mean wtf? More than $300 dollars of my first payment here starting again for this?
I already make the report on the police but it felt that I should had to beg for a piece of paper with the case. The thief is on video record from the security of the London Public Library at CityPlaza, but they are now allowed to show me anything “for security reasons” (?) I guess they have to protect them against me or some.
So once again, without a bike, money for another one and almost without hope on the safety here.
Sorry if this doesn’t sound like something you hope to read here but it’s how I feel right now.
Best of Bob Marley CD up for grabs. Only took me working here for six years to get.
Hello all! I’m not sure if r/shoestring is quite appropriate for my questions but I figure a lot of you may have loads of experience with hostel since they seem to be a fairly inexpensive way to travel.
I am going to London for about 24 hours and will be staying in a hostel. This is my first time traveling overseas alone (have traveled a bit with parents a long time ago) and first time staying at a hostel (mixed dorm). So I have two questions;
-
Any tips/tricks/unwritten rules for hostels? Etiquette? I don’t want to be the “ugly foreigner” who doesn’t respect other cultures on accident.
-
I am definitely an “experiences” person and enjoy experiencing food/cultures/less touristy stuff. I plan to go site see the classics (Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Westminster etc.) but I’m looking for more experiences. Any recommendations for hidden gems like markets or cafes? Any and all recommendations are appreciated!
Thanks r/shoestring!
