Timothy de Paris Portfolio +

Settling In

December 2007

Michael and I are currently living in a hostel in Marylebone. For those who don't know, Marylebone is a rather posh area, about 20 minutes walk from Oxford and Regent Streets (London's High Streets). The accommodations are simple but incredibly cheap for something right in the centre of the city. Having said that the weekly rent for a six square metre room with a bunk bed, television and a fridge is still roughly equivalent to the mortgage payment on a small house back in Brisbane.

Also within walking distance of home are a large number of familiar sounding places: Regent's Park, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Soho, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and pretty much any other place you can find on the Monopoly board.

The hostel is above a pub "The Phoenix" which is both a blessing and a curse, especially as we are both well liked by most of the bar staff! The bar is frequented by a number of interesting and slightly insane regulars, who entertain me throughout the day with tall stories, outright lies and the occasional true recollection of their colourful lives.

When I'm not working or being entertained in the bar, I spend my time wandering the streets of London, catching up with friends, and partying in various clubs around town. As for the work I mentioned, I am currently employed as a photographer by a company called Clubshots, who send me to various nightclubs, raves and other events. It's not the best of pay but it does mean I get into venues for free, and once my shift is over I can enjoy the rest of the night on the house.

We'll be spending Christmas day with Pip, the owner of the pub we live above, who has invited Michael and myself to lunch; to make use of my cooking skills and Michael's ability to converse with anyone on any subject. I'm working New Years Eve at a private party out near Heathrow which should be great fun.