Arriving in UK

I landed at London Gatwick about 10 am on Monday. After getting through customs, I met my cab driver who took me to my new accomodations in Barking, a borough on the east side of London. The drive itself was an experience: adjusting to sitting on the left "passenger side" of the car and driving on the left-hand side of the road. After about an hour's drive, I found myself at my new home. There are lovely old townhomes on either side of my street, with well-pruned shrubs and rose bushes in many of the yards. I was surprised to find either side of the street jam-packed with an unending line of parked cars--parked indiscriminately in both directions--with just one centre line for moving traffic.

Upon venturing outside to explore my neighbourhood, I discovered what felt to me rather like the neighbourhood along the Danforth in Toronto. I discovered the local McDonalds, as well as a great many British institutions: Boots (like Shoppers Drug Mart), Poundsave and other similarly named stores, the British version of dollar stores, Barclay's and Lloyd's (both banks), and pubs such as the Barking Dog and Spotted Dog. It's quite a diverse community I'll be working in: I discovered Thai, Indian and Caribbean cuisine in easy walking distance, as well as a plentitude of little ethnic markets selling a variety of rice and other grains and starches as well as imported tropical produce and Indian spices, and several places selling halal meats.

My next task will be to figure out the London transit system. They have the Tube (subway) as well as National Rail (overground rail), and a plethora of buses. So far I've been getting around on my feet...tomorrow, I'm heading into London for the first. So long for now...