Anybody in London?
Photo by Juan Chua
I have a short assignment in London in late June, and I’ve never been to London so I’m thinking of staying on for a few days, but I don’t know a soul in London, so if you live there and you feel like taking a penniless (but well-travelled) writer out for coffee/drinks/a centre court match at Wimbledon, let me know.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
May 20th, 2010 at 17:10
Don’t you and Clinton Palanca know each other? :)
May 20th, 2010 at 17:42
Hi Jessica, it’s Gayia Beyer. I love London — I won’t be there during those dates but can hook you up to some really cool friends — via email okay?
May 20th, 2010 at 20:48
oh no ooh !!! i work on a cruise ship but live in gatwick, w/c is 30 min via gatwick express to London…must alert the other baklas, we’ve been dying to meet you…atlas your visiting!!! but heck im stuck at work..damn!!!
May 20th, 2010 at 21:22
Hi Jessica,
I live in London and would be happy to take you out for a drink or a walk (not as boring as it sounds, we could go walking in Highgate Cemetery). I have a couple of Pinoy friends I could rustle up to accompany us, none of whom have fake British acccents or grave alochol problems. Warning: most of us are students, researchers and writers (read:penniless, too), so we can buy you drinks but not a meal at Claridge’s.
I’ve lived here for nearly 3 years, lived in Sheffield previously. I studied in UP and used to write for Newsbreak so we probably know a couple of people in common.
May 20th, 2010 at 22:37
Hi Carla. I always visit the local cemetery. Thanks, I’ll be in touch.
May 20th, 2010 at 22:38
Jake, if you work on Norwegian Epic Cruises there is a good chance I’ll see you even before London.
May 20th, 2010 at 22:45
Dean, Like vampires I prefer to be invited. Descending on people in your address book: potentially rude. Randomness: fun.
P.S. Giving people who do not know you advice about people they know who may not know you either: creepy.
May 21st, 2010 at 01:21
Hi Jessica,
Don’t want to appear presumptuous but have you booked your accommodations yet? Would love to offer you free board and lodging if you’re interested. I live in Portsmouth (near the sea front), about an hour away from London. I don’t mind picking you up from the airport and back and being your chauffeur. My friend in London would be more than happy to take you around the museums and he knows the right places in London to grab good bargains on books. No problem with meals … we’ll take you to wherever you fancy. Just can’t promise you Wimbledon, I think tickets sold out since last year. Can take you to Ascot, tho, if that’s your sort of thing. Can even take you to the Isle of Wight (Portsmouth is about 10minutes away on the hovercraft).
We just need enough notice of your arrival so we could take time off from work.
May 21st, 2010 at 07:38
I posted this comment yesterday in the wrong entry:
Re ANYBODY IN LONDON:
This is a revelation! So your rules of engagement are quite different when you’re outside the Mother country?
May 21st, 2010 at 08:57
Hi Jessica,
I’m not sure if this would help but I’ve got lots of friends in London. I’m currently in the city and will be flying back to California tomorrow but I told my friends to help you out if they can, as I am a BIG fan of yours! A bit of a background: I used to live here (for 4 years) but relocated to CA more than 2 years ago. Just visiting my friends at the moment. Anyway, my friend who is also a fan can be contacted through his e-mail (he gave me the permission to let you know): Arnold, his e-mail is: (deleted by webmaster)…My friends have been here for more than 5 years now and this year, they’re planning to watch the games at Wimbledon so they might be able to help you with that! Not to mention walk with you to the Southbank and other landmarks here in London. Hope this helps!
May 21st, 2010 at 10:02
Jerome David,
Thanks, I’ll tag along to Wimbledon. I think I’ll run out and buy a white shirt for this.
May 21st, 2010 at 10:06
cynch543,
If we’re going to Ascot I’ll need a hat. If there’s one place on earth I can find a hat big enough for my giant head, it should be London. Thanks for the offer, take me to a milliner.
May 21st, 2010 at 21:26
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for the reply.
Two things: First, If it’s just the regular Ascot, sensible clothing is advisable. If it’s the Royal Ascot, then ladies are expected to wear a hat and men their tails. Same place, but the difference is the Queen will be gracing the latter event. I think one should be rolling in money if one wants to see a milliner, haha. So, that’s out of the question!
Second, can I just make a suggestion? Why don’t we just organise a JZ Die Hard day here in London? That way we can all share your attention. We can bring all our books for you to sign and we can have our photos taken with you =)… please? We can arrange a lunch date to give every one enough travel time to go up to London. Then those who will have to do this journey can still spend their day however they please in the capital.
What do you think? Xx
May 21st, 2010 at 22:33
oooh! london! a cruise ship! wimbledon! a milliner! can’t wait to read about this trip!!
May 21st, 2010 at 23:06
cynch543,
Thank you, but there has been a change of plans, my schedule is suddenly full, and I will not be able to meet up after all.
Sorry to waste your time. Enjoy the summer.
May 21st, 2010 at 23:15
It’s ok … enjoy your trip. Xx
May 24th, 2010 at 22:41
It’s good to know that you have quite a few fans here in England Jessica. I would have offered to take you out for a couple of drinks if the north of England (I am based in Yorkshire) was in your itinerary. Though I am slightly worried you might get bored with me.
Enjoy summer in London. I should warn you though that it can get really crowded in this time of the year. But I’m sure your host/(s) will be well aware of that!
May 25th, 2010 at 23:07
Jessica, if you don’t know already, the queen will be coming to Wimbledon this year. Most likely it will be in an Andy Murray match.