Less Exploration, More Information

The new hostels is definitely better than the last. I've sat in the pub a lot and watched football with a pint. Good way to spend the evening. And the staff are cool too. So it's been a good place for me so far. Unfortunately, when I booked it, Friday and Saturday nights were full but I asked today if any spots opened up and there was. So for 2 nights I'll have to move from a 6 bed room to a 16 bed room. That's a lot of people...But then I'll move back into the 6 beds. Not a big problem, and if people snore, I have ear plugs! And if I snore, well, that's their problem isn't it?

Nothing very exciting has happened. I did get back to Hyde Park and saw Peter Pan's statue. He just won't grow up! That's about it for adventures. Well, this might not be an adventure, but more so a quest. Because I forgot my alarm clock, I went to try and find a cheap watch or small alarm clock. You cannot believe how hard it is to find a cheap watch! The cheapest one I saw (when actually looking) was about 60 pounds. Now, back in Deptford, I went to a market and saw a watch for 5 pounds, but I thought to myself, I can find a better one for just as cheap somewhere else, so I didn't get it. I was WRONG! Clearly. If I were at home, I could have found a watch right away, no problem. In fact, I challenge you, my faithful readers, to find a cheap watch in the cities (not on the internet!). Preferably one with an alarm. Report back to me on how much it cost. Bet it's less than 60 pounds (about 110 dollars).

Well, after a few days searching in any type of shop I could think of, I finally went into one that had small alarm clocks for 10 pounds. After so much frustration, I bought it so I now have a clock for my room. If I need it on the road, I thought I could stick it in my bag. Or if I am really desperate, I can buy one of those 5 pound watches and stick it in my pocket. I don't really want anything on my wrists, not my style you see.

I have been trying to keep myself well fed because it is an easy way to save money by not eating right? Well, I am forcing myself to spend at least 15 pounds a day for food. Yesterday I went to the grocery store and bought some apples, clementines, tuna, and bread so I have a few meals there. That might be my lunch or snacks for the day. I can even make myself a peanut butter sandwich in a bag lunch because I have a few sandwich bags with me. Yay! Lunch in the park!

The last few days I've woken up with a bit of a stuffy nose and lightly sore throat. I do not want to get sick over here, that would suck. So I put some echinacea into my nalgene so I'll be drinking it all day to boost the ole immune system.

And as of today, I haven't gotten to do much for my research. I'm still waiting to hear back from my contact at the Wallace Collection. He said he would email me today a time when we could meet. Nothing yet, but it's only 1pm. I have tried to go to libraries and research out of books but I have been to many libraries and have not found any books on arms and armoury. I searched the database of Westminster libraries and there was one in the westminster reference library, but it didn't seem like that good of a source. It was about the evolution of all weapons, "from flint axes to machine guns". I might go look at it anyway, but that's kind of far away. Maybe I'll just by my own book.

Lastly, I have been able to get on the internet for free an hour a day because I got a library card with the Westminster libraries that is for internet use only. If I wanted to upgrade to a card where I could check books out (I don't) I would just have to give them an address. Pretty helpful though. Even more so that my hostel is about 6 blocks away. I've only got 10 mins left on this session so I'm gonna check a few more things and be kicked off.

Until next time friends, same bat time, same bat channel!