Jolly good times

So goodbye Sydney, it was off to England… eventually. In doing this I was trying to find the cheapest, most efficient way to get there. First I had a return ticket to the US via LA. However I was unable to change the entire ticket and settled on a minor fee to change the first portion to get me from Sydney to LA, on July 4th. That was the earliest they could do.

For the portion from LA to London, I was able to purchase a small amount of additional frequent flier miles, combine them with my existing balance and I was off to London. The only other options were to forfeit my entire return ticket to the US and pay upwards of 2 grand for a return ticket to London from Sydney. And since I am not part of the British Commonwealth, I have to have a ticket showing that I am planning on leaving the UK.

Anyway, off to England. About 13 hours from Sydney to LA (Qantas definitely has my vote for the best international flight), about 11 hours sitting in LAX (it was the 4th, where was I going to go…?) and then about 10 hours over from LA to London. I am lucky enough to be able to stay with a good friend’s family in London. Knowing that made it a bit easier to just pick up and move around the world, again, without a guaranteed job or anything else. Man am I good at planning…

So I am into London and getting squared away. I’ve been in touch with the GT office here, had a brief meeting and had a choice of working in Nottingham or London. Both great opportunities with their own particularities but in the end, it was hard not to pick London with its cultural and social aspects. I know several people (mainly from UNC) here already.

So things are looking ok, I went up to the odd little town (it was preplanned and constructed, no real organic growth) of Milton Keynes. The local office was hosting a 5 on 5 football (soccer) tournament involving offices from all over the UK, Ireland and a few European offices (think I saw Hamburg and Copenhagen jerseys). I was able to catch-up to a friend of mine from Manchester but the real point was to meet up with the boys from Sydney who were on the Marketing/Cricket tour. It was good to see them and entertaining to watch them get hammered at the football, but to their benefit, they are undefeated on the cricket tour and that was their real effort.

After the brief visit with the boys, it was time to go back to London. Well, remember my brilliant planning? It strikes again. In talking to HR, in order for my visa to be properly processed, it appears that I have to exit the UK, apply to the British Embassy (get fingerprinted and stuff) and then re-enter the UK with the proper work permit.

Also, it’s a bit crazy, but the “summer” weather here, is almost the same as the “winter” back in Sydney. It’s amazing I haven’t gotten sick yet, but this stuff is starting to drive my body crazy.