London life

So I have finally moved to London and I have settled in quite well. It has been an interesting experience moving over here.

I came to London on Monday September 3rd. The weekend before I spent with my parents in the Copenhagen area. I did all the driving and in one day we did 200km which is a lot in Denmark and for a novice to driving. It went quite well though and we had some very nice days together before I took off.

My travels to London went all smooth untill I arrived at the Liverpool Street Station in London. I then learned that almost all the London tubes lines had been closed due to a strike! Luckely the line I was to live by was one of the two not closed down - but my future roommate who was on her way to meet me got stuck in transit. We ended up getting home rather late. The problem was getting from Liverpool St. to a stations that had the Northern Line passing through.

Since then I have spent quite some time settling in and it is working very well. I live in Kentish Town in a house run by a Lutheran church. There are three girls and two boys (and me) in the house and they are all great people. I can practise at home and in the church as well which is great. I have quite a commute to school but I can also practise there it I need to. One of the other girls is a flute player who used to study at Academy. It is great to have another musician around. Saturday one of the other girls had a party and two of her friends comming were violin teachers!

Once of the things which is really fun for me about this area of London is the number of stores on the High Street. You basically walk for 5 minutes to get there and there are 3 grocery stores, an "earth food" store, an number of specials food stores and every other store you could imagine - except fashion stores! If you go one stop further south (or walk) you get to Camden where all the biggger stores are as well as a giant grocery (Sainbury's). The house I live in is vey typical of the area. On the picture it is the house furthest to the right. The other picture is from the High Street.

I also had my first meeting with Walter Reiter who is going to be my teacher. I went to his house and we talked about repertoire and what I should be doing for the next year. He got me into doing an in-school competition late next month. I have to learn/relearn the Bach g-minor Sonata for that. It is good to have some things to get you going.

Next week is Induction week. I will then learn what other classes I am required to take, when they are and such things. I am looking forward to getting started. A few of my friends from Oberlin are comming over to study in London as well. I expected to have a great time but I had not expected to make friends and fit into the house where I live so easily.

I have also been to the church which runs the house for the first time this morning. The people are really nice and I had a chance to talk to some of them over tea after the service. Next sunday I will probably bring my violin and play along next sunday. I have been asked to do that.

It is proving to be a good experience to be here.