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I'm here!
Traveling yesterday was fine. I sat next to a nice man on the plane who put my bag on the overhead rack for me (I would have done it myself but he was standing there, I had the window seat), asked if he could take it down for me (no thank you) and didn't feel the need to chat in between (thank you very much).
After a brief moment of panic about the first ATM not giving me any pounds (second ATM was better) I caught a bus an hour earlier than the one my ticket specified (thank you bus driver for letting me go without having to officially stand in line to change the time which would have entailed me missing the bus). This came at the expense of food, but since I ate on the plane and nothing looked good at the station I thought Brighton would have better options.
Got off the bus and realized for the first time that I'm not just at a conference but in a *foreign country* at a *beach town*. I had been so focused on the paper and the logistics I had forgotten I had free vacation-y type time. By myself!!!! But first had to find room, shower, and food.
Took a taxi to the campus and found a super nice slightly paternalistic cab driver. When the door was locked he left me (and my monster 3-week suitcase) and ran around the building to try the other door, then drove me to another building and ran in and checked that it was the right place before dropping me off. Really, really kind of him especially since I had already paid him before he did all of this.
At the 2nd building they couldn't find my name on the list so they sent me to a 3rd building (which according to the info I had was not where I was supposed to be at all). I wasn't on that list either. However this detour ended up being a gift from the universe because the porter at building #3 was awesome! He made calls found out I was on the list at place #2 for a room in place #1 (as planned), but most importantly he gave me a pity ethernet cord so I could have internet access! You have to buy them but people often just leave them in the rooms so he had a secret stash. I will take any kindness that begins with "well I really shouldn't be doing this but you've had such a rough day..."
I'm in a dorm suite, 5 bedrooms with a common kitchen/lounge and bathroom. There is a sink in my room which is awesome, but no tv (predictable but sad, no BBC). I haven't met any of my suitemates yet. After a much needed shower my next task was food. I hadn't had anything since the blueberry muffin on the plane and was starving. Also dehydrated.
Everything on campus was closed Sunday night, I tried the bar but they weren't serving food and beer isn't dinner. My options were takeout in the slightly-depressing dorm room, no food until breakfast (okay that's not a real option), or brave the local bus system. Local buses freak me out. I had info about what line and they run every 15 min. on weekdays, but Sunday day service was more like once an hour and there wasn't any info about Sun. night. I was also worried about not having exact change or even small bills (only 20 pound notes). I figured at worst if I could take a bus in I could suck up the cost and take a cab back to campus.
But there was a bus that was waiting for a couple minutes at the stop and the driver answered my questions (you do not need exact change although you're not supposed to use a 20 pound note unless your ticket is over 10 pounds, but he made change for me anyway). The bus runs the 5-6 miles from campus to the city center. Figured it was better for me and my confused circadian rhythm to be out walking in the daylight rather than in my room anyway.
I went and walked along the famous Brighton beach boardwalk enjoying the beautiful colors of the sea and the people-watching. (Amusing to see guy in suit of armor changing back into his jeans.) I had fish and chips for dinner as that seemed like the thing to do. (I tipped the waitress almost 50% as we had an accent miscommunication between "I'd like some change" and "keep the change" but I got the special and didn't order anything else and she's working at a discount fish and chips place on the boardwalk so tips must be a little rough.) Walked around a little more then headed back. Waited at the wrong bus stop (where I got off, thinking it was the end of the line, I needed to be on the other side of the park). I saw the right bus, but missed it by seconds. Had a 40 min. wait (they have electronic signs that tell you the time like in the metro, I love it), but read my book so no problem.
This morning I really wanted to sleep in. Breakfast was 7-8:30 and the registration and the conference doesn't start until noon. But better to get up. I put on my dress, but when I got there realized I shouldn't have bothered as it was open cafeteria breakfast for all the conferences, there's something sciency going on and then of course gazillions of teenagers. Breakfast had decent variety, but of variable quality (sad sausage and eggs, really good fruit and bread). Came back and a kid was making my bed and changing my towels. I didn't realize they had turn down service but that's nice. I think I might go for a walk, there are some nice nature trails around the perimeter of campus, and maybe edit the presentation some more.
Things I'm glad I brought:
-long sleeved sweater, it's in the 60s, a perfectly lovely temperature except I have clothes for the 70s-80s. Well, the sweater eliminates any tattoo issue and makes my dresses more restrained and academic-y
-body glide (for the walking, best thing ever)
-computer and country-appropriate charger (because there's internet! even if it was heavy yesterday)
-decent-sized, but not horrendously large purse (I almost forgot and just too my carry-on)
-books, although I may run out (why don't *I* have a kindle)
Things I wish I'd brought:
-my travel alarm clock, in the US I use my cell phone, but I don't have the battery to do that here. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, maybe there's some kind of internet application? This is especially crucial for not missing my bus Thursday morning. Any suggestions?
-long-sleeved blouses and pants because it's cool
-umbrella, it hasn't rained yet, but it's threatening to, I should have checked the weather before I left.
Traveling yesterday was fine. I sat next to a nice man on the plane who put my bag on the overhead rack for me (I would have done it myself but he was standing there, I had the window seat), asked if he could take it down for me (no thank you) and didn't feel the need to chat in between (thank you very much).
After a brief moment of panic about the first ATM not giving me any pounds (second ATM was better) I caught a bus an hour earlier than the one my ticket specified (thank you bus driver for letting me go without having to officially stand in line to change the time which would have entailed me missing the bus). This came at the expense of food, but since I ate on the plane and nothing looked good at the station I thought Brighton would have better options.
Got off the bus and realized for the first time that I'm not just at a conference but in a *foreign country* at a *beach town*. I had been so focused on the paper and the logistics I had forgotten I had free vacation-y type time. By myself!!!! But first had to find room, shower, and food.
Took a taxi to the campus and found a super nice slightly paternalistic cab driver. When the door was locked he left me (and my monster 3-week suitcase) and ran around the building to try the other door, then drove me to another building and ran in and checked that it was the right place before dropping me off. Really, really kind of him especially since I had already paid him before he did all of this.
At the 2nd building they couldn't find my name on the list so they sent me to a 3rd building (which according to the info I had was not where I was supposed to be at all). I wasn't on that list either. However this detour ended up being a gift from the universe because the porter at building #3 was awesome! He made calls found out I was on the list at place #2 for a room in place #1 (as planned), but most importantly he gave me a pity ethernet cord so I could have internet access! You have to buy them but people often just leave them in the rooms so he had a secret stash. I will take any kindness that begins with "well I really shouldn't be doing this but you've had such a rough day..."
I'm in a dorm suite, 5 bedrooms with a common kitchen/lounge and bathroom. There is a sink in my room which is awesome, but no tv (predictable but sad, no BBC). I haven't met any of my suitemates yet. After a much needed shower my next task was food. I hadn't had anything since the blueberry muffin on the plane and was starving. Also dehydrated.
Everything on campus was closed Sunday night, I tried the bar but they weren't serving food and beer isn't dinner. My options were takeout in the slightly-depressing dorm room, no food until breakfast (okay that's not a real option), or brave the local bus system. Local buses freak me out. I had info about what line and they run every 15 min. on weekdays, but Sunday day service was more like once an hour and there wasn't any info about Sun. night. I was also worried about not having exact change or even small bills (only 20 pound notes). I figured at worst if I could take a bus in I could suck up the cost and take a cab back to campus.
But there was a bus that was waiting for a couple minutes at the stop and the driver answered my questions (you do not need exact change although you're not supposed to use a 20 pound note unless your ticket is over 10 pounds, but he made change for me anyway). The bus runs the 5-6 miles from campus to the city center. Figured it was better for me and my confused circadian rhythm to be out walking in the daylight rather than in my room anyway.
I went and walked along the famous Brighton beach boardwalk enjoying the beautiful colors of the sea and the people-watching. (Amusing to see guy in suit of armor changing back into his jeans.) I had fish and chips for dinner as that seemed like the thing to do. (I tipped the waitress almost 50% as we had an accent miscommunication between "I'd like some change" and "keep the change" but I got the special and didn't order anything else and she's working at a discount fish and chips place on the boardwalk so tips must be a little rough.) Walked around a little more then headed back. Waited at the wrong bus stop (where I got off, thinking it was the end of the line, I needed to be on the other side of the park). I saw the right bus, but missed it by seconds. Had a 40 min. wait (they have electronic signs that tell you the time like in the metro, I love it), but read my book so no problem.
This morning I really wanted to sleep in. Breakfast was 7-8:30 and the registration and the conference doesn't start until noon. But better to get up. I put on my dress, but when I got there realized I shouldn't have bothered as it was open cafeteria breakfast for all the conferences, there's something sciency going on and then of course gazillions of teenagers. Breakfast had decent variety, but of variable quality (sad sausage and eggs, really good fruit and bread). Came back and a kid was making my bed and changing my towels. I didn't realize they had turn down service but that's nice. I think I might go for a walk, there are some nice nature trails around the perimeter of campus, and maybe edit the presentation some more.
Things I'm glad I brought:
-long sleeved sweater, it's in the 60s, a perfectly lovely temperature except I have clothes for the 70s-80s. Well, the sweater eliminates any tattoo issue and makes my dresses more restrained and academic-y
-body glide (for the walking, best thing ever)
-computer and country-appropriate charger (because there's internet! even if it was heavy yesterday)
-decent-sized, but not horrendously large purse (I almost forgot and just too my carry-on)
-books, although I may run out (why don't *I* have a kindle)
Things I wish I'd brought:
-my travel alarm clock, in the US I use my cell phone, but I don't have the battery to do that here. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do, maybe there's some kind of internet application? This is especially crucial for not missing my bus Thursday morning. Any suggestions?
-long-sleeved blouses and pants because it's cool
-umbrella, it hasn't rained yet, but it's threatening to, I should have checked the weather before I left.
