So now I'm back in London again. I had a couple of dramas making the return journey here but nothing that money wouldn't fix.
I got to Heathrow airport without any problems, but the cue at immigration was horrific. After spending about an hour in that cue, I cleared immigration and went to get my over-weight bag. I found the right carousel and waited for my bag...... and waited......... and waited. No Bag. Eventually a guy came around and and started taking the leftover bags off to let the next load through. Hmmmm.
Time to take action. I found the appropriate lost bag counter and gave the lady my bits of paper. "There's good news and bad news," she said. "Good news, we know where it is. Bad news, it's still in Turkey!" Why or how this happens I have no idea, but the lady assured me that it would be delivered to the backpackers by the afternoon of the next day.
After clearing all this up, it was midnight, and I wondered through the vast empty expanse of Heathrow trying to figure out how to get to the backpackers. I was going to take the tube, but that had finished for the night, as had the other trains and other major buses. There were public buses running, but I would need an oyster card with credit to use them. The only other option was to take a taxi. I shuddered at the thought of how much that would cost, but at least I should find out. The alternative was to hole up in the bus waiting room with a collection of similarly stranded passengers, and wait for the tube to start running.
It took me 15 minutes of wondering spooky echoing corridors and lines of shuttered shops to find the cab rank. I asked the lead cab how much to take me to Swiss Cottage. He said that it would have to go on the meter. I asked how much the rate was. He rolled his eyes and said that he didn't know. I looked at him a quizzical look and he said that it might be about 70 to 80 pounds! I was prepared for a shock, but that price was just way too much. I would rather spend the night in the bus waiting room.
I started to walk away, and the cab driver disgustedly asked my why I had bothered coming here. But then an Indian driver called out to me. "Boss, how many pounds do you have?" I had 100 pounds, but I wasn't going to tell him that. I told him that I would give him 40 pounds. He thought for a second and said 50 and that I was getting a good deal because he wanted to go home. I knew that it was the best I could do, so I thought I may as well take it. I had no problem waiting 6 hours for the trains to start running again, but I would miss my booking at the backpackers where I had told my lost luggage to be sent.
It all panned out in the end. I got the backpackers, spent the night there and the next morning moved to my new flat just around the corner. The luggage eventually turned up and I was able to have a much needed and enjoyed shower.
My new flat is a hostel in a house run by a baptist church. There are supposed to be seven people in the house at the moment, but I've struggled to meet or even see any of them. I'm sharing a room with a guy who is apparently called David. All his stuff is obviously here, but I'm yet to meet him.
I've been in London a week now and it feels rather strange being back. One of the weirdest things is that some people still remember me, even though I was only here for about three weeks last time. It's good in a way, because I don't have to start from scratch again.
Went to church for the first time in a year. That was a bit surreal.
Did some wondering around London and took some more photographs which can be viewed here.
I've spent most of my time doing classes and looking for work on the internet. I'm glad to say that I've had some success. I got in contact with a couple of agents and yesterday did a class for one. They said they were happy to put me on their books, but didn't know if there was much out there for me at the moment. I have an interview for a second agent on Friday and an audition for a third on Saturday. Also, just yesterday I got an email from the Royal Opera House who are looking for two male dancers to perform in a production in September that will also go to Luxebourg in December. The audition is on the 15th and I'm sure that it is going to be massively competitive. Who knows what will happen.
Next, I have to start looking for some sort of normal job. Back to the world of retail I guess.
So am I going to stay here or move back to Australia. As ever, I don't know. People seem to be interested in my dancing at the moment which is encouraging. I'm just going to sit tight on it for the next week or so.
Back next week with more adventures, and thanks for reading.
Rodney Cuthbertson
DreamChaser
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