I got into London and had to take the bus or train in. I couldn't believe the price for this! Very high. About 50 dollars round trip. But then I found the bus and it was only 16 so that was better but then the guy was all platform blah at blah and I thought I understood and he pointed so I just headed that way and felt like using deductive reasoning I would figure it out. WRONG. I decided he meant platform 3 at 11:15. I wanted to confirm this with a human but no one was around and the only people I saw in an office had a blockade in front of it. Whatever.
I got on the train and then the guy came and checked my ticket but at the last minute he was all "wait this is a bus ticket" so I had to then spend the $50.00 anyway. Bummer.
I got to my destination which was the flat of one young Frenchman named Alex. He had a delicious lunch for me and many suggestions of activities. I decided to go to Primark which is a store that specializes in really trending but super cheap clothing. It is huge and you really really have to sift through to find things that do not look cheap. I found some alright things but was exhausted by the end of it and went back to Alex's and showed him my finds which included an adult onesie. We went to a place next door for thai food which included entertainment. A your man wearing fingerless gloves doing funky covers. My fav. Then we checked out this bar Alex was interested in and I ordered the most expensive/Canadian drink on the menu. I think I met Camelia. She is Alex's flatmate and my room mate for the time I was there. She was very nice but sleepy cause she had to work in the morning.
Next day Alex made a giant breakfast, which I very much appreciated. I dawdled quite a bit and got a late start to my day. I was still hell bent of getting the perfect shoes. So I spent the day looking for them in and around Shoreditch, Camden and then back to Oxford since I had to return a pair of shorts at Primark.
Shoreditch graffiti.
I had plans with Alex to meet in Brixton for a Vaccines show. However, I adjusted the time on my wireless device on top of it doing it itself so I was an hour late and I have no phone so I am dumb and I felt bad. So we just went to meet Jesica. OOOOOOh did I mention the beautiful and wonderful Jesica came to meet me for fun. Which is also why I was okay with staying with strangers again.
We got sandwiches and waited for her in the cold. Alex was especially worried but I assured him that she would text once she arrived and all would be well. Then then ran into each other just on the sidewalk. We all went home and chatted and then slept.
Friday we woke up and started sight seeing ASAP. We started at Borough Market then walked along the pier to Tower bridge.
After that we took the train a couple stops to St. Pauls catherdral which was being occupied. Then we were off to the Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. By the time we got there it was late though. Dark as you can see.
From there we met up with Alex and Camelia at a hipster food market. There was a long line up but we got in and ate delicious foods. We had okonomiyaki, lamb gyro and pork buns. Camelia is a sommelier and knew the mulled wine girl so we got several drinks for a low price. I should mention that Camelia has a broken ankle? foot? I can't remember but anyway she used her crutches to get a seat and get through the crowd more easily. I would too. One the way home we met the shyest great dane. So cute. Also an altercation with a pregnant woman too.
We went home and I got a really terrible message. Jesica hugged me and I cried and then I proceeded to get stupid drunk. I had Red Bull and vodka. Anyone that knows me well knows that caffeine, alcohol, and me shouldn't mix. Caffeine makes me super impatient. I already am quite impatient. So at Fabric there was a huge line up cause it was a special evening. I had no issue queuing up, but then we had to use a washroom. We left Alex in line and ran around until we a sandwich shop that was open. We asked if we could go to the bathroom to which some dumb slut at the counter said "Why do you have to use it?" "Because we have to urinate." Just kidding she could be a lovely and celibate woman. The guy was all it's closed and we were real nice and asked if he knew anywhere around we could go and then he sneakily motioned with his eyes to just go upstairs. We did!
Back to the line up. Some dudes tried to cut us. Was not having it. I called them out and they backed up and Jesica took to calling the ginger "Weasley". Eventually I told her to stop cause it was actually too mean. Then we all became friends. Finally we got in to da club. Here's where Jesica fell victim to my impatience as I hustled her to put her coat in mine so we could just have one coat checked. She cried and the girl didn't allow it anyway. Sorry. Actually. I love you. I feel like we immediately lost Alex. We went to the washroom never to see him again until the end of the night. There were many rooms and we spent a lot of time in the DnB room cause Goldie was hosting. I pointed at him and we shook hands twice cause the first time he grabbed the wrong hand.
We left that room to try to find Alex and instead ran into our friends from the line. I don't really remember too much I know there was a black guy, the tall redheaded guy, and Alex M. In the hallway Alex M. and discussed weather since I was in the UK shoes were trainers or since the shoes in question were made in the US if they were sneakers. I was not this polite about it though.
We left the boys and tried to find Alex again no luck then found the boys again. Buraka Sound Sistema's Hangover came on and I lost my shit. Alex M. found me again but at this point was tripping sooooo hard and had to leave the crowd. Then came back and asked me "Please just touch my face" uhhhh, whatever, okay I guess. At this point I decided Jesica should also partake! He and Jesica exchanged numbers and we found Alex and left. Since then I have found out from Jesica that he told his friends that I was 22? and he is 19. No I isn't! Also he has texted her intermittently to offer us drugs.
Next Day we had a nice breakfast again with Camelia and Alex. Since Camelia was hurt we wanted to stay in and have fun but eventually went to Tate Modern. Did you know all Museums in London are free! We met her date and then went home to get ready and decide where to go out cause Annie Mac was sold out. Also Alex M. fell through cause he had to work.
We randomly decided on a club. Area. I feel like I thought I knew the name and it was well rated. Then we tried figuring out the bus which got very confusing. I once again got impatient and Camelia gave me shit which I definitely deserved. Finally all was well and we were on our way out. On the bus I think Jesica asked someone for directions and the the rest of the bus caught wind of our destination and were all "whoa" about it. Saying Fabric was tame in comparison. We arrived and apparently we wouldn't be able to get in until 4am because of some private event. They directed us next door. Then some big queen in a fur coat pounced on Jesica's uncertainty and told us not just anyone could go in. So we walked around a bit and found Factory behind it. We were kinda desperate and just went for it and the guy was all it's DnB are you sure. Once we got in I realized why. There were very few people of Caucasian decent. The DJ would play a song for a minute then change talk over it and change it. We adjusted and just danced, though after some time I realized the drag queens we saw earlier were also in the club and then I started noting the dancing of the males around us. OOOOooh. It's one of those kinda clubs. Finally the dj changed and things got grimey and fun. Eventually we went back to Area. We got in this time and asked a non-queen bouncer about us not getting in and he said that it made no sense that we didn't get in and asked who said that.
Inside area were several men with no shirts and no love for females. Everything is coming together now. We danced uninhibited for several hours and went home.
Next morning Jesica and I got treats for Camelia and Alex as a thank you for having us since it would be our last day with them. We booked a hostel since the other host Erkhan was too sketchy. Didn't give us an address or really anyway to reach him other than texting him. The hostel smelled so fierce. Oh well. We decided to go out and meet up with Erkhan he worked at a club in Shoreditch. We got to the club and this guy asked us if we we okay but really aggressively so we said yes and tried to avoid him. Finally Erkhan came out we hugged and since he worked at the club got in for free. Again lots of dancing. Same aggressive guy came up and was saying I don't know what to us. Eventually Erkhan explained it was his boss. Whoops. We said we were sorry we didn't understand him then he gave us beers. Eventually we left.
Next day we walked around London. On the way to oxford.
We went everywhere...We started at Primark again then had lunch at Yo! Sushi. It's one of those places where the sushi is on a conveyor belt and you just pick it up when it passes you. Also they had a cool washroom.
After that we went through Picadilly, China Town and ended up at Trafalgar Square. We tried to go to some galleries but they were all closed. We bought snacks and went back to the hostel to pack and relax.
Next morning we parted ways and it was sad. Then I couldn't find my bus stop because it was raining and in London there are usually several bus stops for one place which are then lettered. I finally got on the bus to the train and then on the plane to Dusseldorf where I made a bed in a corner. Then from there to NYC to see my beloved Kelly.
I leave you with this as it has Goldie and every other important figure in DnB scene since forever in it but I don't even like the song but it does make me feel a little nostalgic.
