[PDX_XJ]

Some of you might know that I'm in London for six months for an internship. I'm at a hostel right now, and I'm on someone elses' internet connection (miracle I have a signal). The story so far:

Thursday night, my girlfriend and I landed. Made it through customs with a wink and a smile (barely, thank goodness the girl was nice), because we lost the letters from the places we'll be working. We figure we might have forgotten them in Chicago, where we had to stay the night at the airport. Not fun.

We'd arranged a place to stay - a room in a flat for 400 pounds a month. I forget the exchange rate exactly (1.8 followed by a bunch of random numbers), so I figure just to double it: $800 a month. Not bad for the 7th most expensive city on earth. Find out, it's in a place called 'Brixton' which is the worst part of town. We show up, sight unseen, at 3 AM. We woke up the guy who was living there (our contact) who let us in. We weren't tired at all (8 hour time difference), but we tried to sleep. In the morning, we unpacked and started to turn the place into our own. Bought some bedding, and pots and pans, and things like that.

Skipping a bunch of meaningless details... we were supposed to meet with the landlord on Friday to sign paperwork. He called and rescheduled for today (saturday), so we ended up meeting him today. After being told we needed to pay cash on the spot, with no reciept or contract in sight, my girlfriend and I decided this flat was a "bad idea". After negotiating for over an hour and getting nowhere, we went into our room and shut the door. We exchanged the "we need to get the f--k out of here" glance, and packed up all of our things in record time. Meanwhile, the landlord is on the phone with his boss, trying to figure out how paperwork is going to happen.

So, we get packed, and I step into the living room and tell them, "It's no good, we're not going to stay here," fully expecting to get shot or stabbed by our Jamaican landlord. He tells his boss that he'll call him back. I explain the situation from my perspective, and he agrees that he wouldn't do it if he was in my shoes, either. He calls back his boss, and tells him that we are backing out, and the higher up asks to speak with me.

I take the phone, and get screamed at by a very angry brit, asking me repeatedly "Who do you think you are?!!!" and "You think we are going to get you a contract on a Saturday? You are out of your mind!" and more of "Who the f--- do you think you are?" and then some "We're a big rich company, and don't need your business, why the f--- do we care if you don't stay here?" and finally some more "Who the bloody f--- do you think you are?" This went on for a good long while.

I was so dumbfounded by the utter lack of respect, I had no idea what to say. After enduring a few anti-American sentiments, I layed back into him: "Who do I think I am? I'm a f---ing rich american college student with a f---ing disposable income you wouldn't believe. How dare you f---ing think I'm going to give you a f---ing cent! If your f---ing business is so f---ing big and so f---ing rich, you should have f---ing offered to do the f---ing contract on Monday when you are open. Did you think that screaming f---ing insults at me over the phone would change my mind? F--- you." And I hung up on him.

Now, the other flat mates, and the landlord are speechless, sitting on the couch with their mouths open. "Who's got a number for a cab company?" I demand, "We're leaving, NOW." Someone whips out a cell phone, gets the contact, and hands the phone to me, dialing. I walk into the other room (I'm on hold for a few minutes). Meanwhile, the landlord's boss calls back, the Jamaican guy answers it, and they talk for a while.

The flat mate comes in and apologizes, and I apologize to him because I know he needs a roommate, and thank him for letting us stay there for the few days. I hand him the keys, and open my wallet to give him a 50 pound note (figured 3 days pro-rated would be close to that). The cab company answers, and I give them the details of the address and phone number with help of the guy. The flat-mate refuses the 50 pounds, and says don't worry about it.

At this point, the Jamaican walks in, apologizes profusely, and excuses himself to get some coffee. I shake hands, and the flat-mate decides he's going to get some too. We say goodbye, I shake his hand, and the two leave. A few minutes later, the cab comes, and the girl and I load all of our luggage into it. The trip was like 30 pounds ($60) to get to a hostel, but I figure it was worth it.

So, anyway, I'm now carrying 1500 pounds cash around with me, and I'm homeless in a foreign city, questioning my ability to rent a flat this side of the Atlantic after the trouble I caused. I've probably left my flat-mate homeless, or at least in a tight spot for rent this month, and might have got a perfectly good stranger fired.

My girlfriend loves it - she's having a blast, because she's never seen me blow up at anyone like that before.

Say, any JF members in London got a spare room?

[Blake]

Wow.

I just watched the movie 'Hostel' last night. If you haven't watched it, don't.

[jzmtl]

Careful with the money dude, I was told by someone who's been there that the pickpockets in London is world rated.

Split it up between you and your girl and stuff it in multiple pockets!

[Matt Gertsch]

Originally Posted by Blake

Wow.

I just watched the movie 'Hostel' last night. If you haven't watched it, don't.

Worst. Movie. Ever. I really wish I could have that 2 hours of my life back.

Keep your chin up man, it'll get better. My aunt is from the London area, want me to see if she has any leads on housing for you?

[Matt Gertsch]

PDX, watch this thread, I'll see if I can't chase something down for you. She used to own a half dozen houses in London up near the airbase.
EDIT: What is your price range, Pound wise?

[PDX_XJ]

Alright, my girlfriend (who is on less than three hours of sleep a night and refuses to get more) has woken me up at 5:30 after emptying each of our bags across the floor looking for shampoo - apparently I left it in our mad dash to escape. All I want is to get a decent night's sleep, so that mabey my splitting headache will disappear.

We've got a few leads on places to live, but thanks for your help. We really need to find and move into a place today (not likely - it is sunday - but we're going to try), and the Airbase might be a bit too far out. Don't let that discourage you though, we are looking for something 135 a week or less.

Thanks.

[Matt Gertsch]

Might take me a day or two. I'm gonna' see if she has any hook ups back there still. What area are you looking for? 135 pounds/wk.?

[CunningLinguist]

YMCA is cheap and to a high standard. The Uk ones are very sharp. Where are u in london?

[Archetype]

Good ole brits, eh? Gotta love them

You any were near Staffordshire? I'll be up there in about 1 week

[Columbia TJ]

i honestly cant stand british accents. haha

i normally dont read long posts but that one kinda had me hooked! goodluck and i hope you find a place to stay. im one of those people who needs plans and things set (aka not just a wing it kinda person) and that would be driving me nuts!!! goodluck!

[Rocky529]

Haha.. I read this whole thread too, good stuff.

I hate Europe.. whenever I think of it all I can think of is cloudy skies with cobble stone sidewalks and British people talking with that stupid accent (sorry, call me racist... but I can't stand them).

[Columbia TJ]

Originally Posted by Rocky529

Haha.. I read this whole thread too, good stuff.

I hate Europe.. whenever I think of it all I can think of is cloudy skies with cobble stone sidewalks and British people talking with that stupid accent (sorry, call me racist... but I can't stand them).

Yeah, but I hate northern accents too... HAHAHA

Im sorry Rocky...

[tmak504]

Good that you can blow up like that, give up yoru spot in a foreighn city and still feel comfortable enough to not panic and seek out another place....goodluck man! and lady...