Would you like coffee or tea?

6/21/2011

Tuesday morning did not go as swimmingly as the rest thus far.  I over slept -- not by much, but still felt rushed.  It took 30 minutes for me to get into the toilet as well.  I mean, I'm sure that I might have got in sooner if I had asked, BUT I already feel as if I am imposing enough.  Besides, 8 people sharing one bathroom is not something I have become accustomed to as of yet.  I realized, as I was getting ready, that I had not washed all the conditioner out of my hair the night before.  --sigh--

I dashed out the door and got on the train then the two tubes.  I was only 5 minutes late, but I don't think there is a "late" here.  As long as I am there for the 9:45 briefing, I think I will be fine.

I worked in the kitchen at Providence Row (PR) during the morning session.  (In the mornings, the clients can come in for showers, breakfast, and to use computers.  They also provide other services like charging cell phones and function as a c/o address.)  A free breakfast consists of coffee or tea and toast with jam or marmalade.  The full breakfast (50p -- 50 pence) has all of that plus hot food like sausage, hasbrowns, eggs - cereal, juice, and biscuits for the tea.  They end up with a tray full of food and what ends up being served is dependent upon what has been donated.  This morning it was hashbrowns, beef patties, beans, boiled eggs, and a choice between cornflakes and shredded wheat.  (The clients like the cornflakes the best.)

I have found that British coffee is very different from the coffee my Daddy drinks.  I have always been curious as to what makes a good cup of coffee -- I am not a coffee drinker, so I would have no idea.  I do know that my father would probably not be too keen to try some of the stuff I served.  Most Brits drink instant coffee.  This means you take a spoonful of coffee crystals and mix it into a cup of hot water.  >_<   Yuck!!  Some of the clients wanted it "strong".  This would mean I would give them two spoonfuls of coffee crystals.  The tea, on the other hand, was delicious!!!!  I had three cups of it!  I apparently like mine with sugar and milk. 

Thankfully, Ella had brought a foot long sub and shared it with me for lunch.  I was starving.  I also had an apple with me and I devoured it too. 

The afternoon was pretty slow.  They keep telling me that it is not normally this slow -- maybe all the clients are afraid of the Americans.  :)

I decided to take the scenic route home, since it was absolutely gorgeous outside.  I took the DLR part of the way and saw where they are building the sites for the Olympics next year.  I took some pictures that I will post on my FB as soon as I can.  I then took a bus from Stratford.  I have realized taking the train and the tubes limit your ability to really take in the sights around you.  I scored a seat on the top level of a double-decker bus.  There are TONS of street shops all the way through the main roads.  I passed several churches that I may go visit if I have time.  I was a little too anxious and got off a stop too early, but ended up not having to walk too far.

I made it home just in time to catch a local ice cream truck milling through the neighborhood.  I went inside to get the girls to buy them an ice cream.  Aleiya was asleep, but Leila helped me pick something out for her and she got herself something.  :) 

I still cannot get reliable Internet access at my home-stay.  It's a bit frustrating, but it won't kill me to be without FB whenever I want.