Bristol

Ok, so it seems like ages since I've posted anything. Basically, I haven't had any real internet access until now - I'm currently in the computer room in the postgraduate centre library.

So I'm starting to settle down in Bristol now. It's a nice town - another port town like Southampton - but more sprawled out. I'm staying in Frenchay (I guess you could call it a village?) about a half hour bus ride from the city centre. It's a nice enough area with fields and old houses and it's very peaceful. I'm living in hospital accomodation on-site at the place where I work. My block is old and a tad dilapidated, but it's clean and well maintained. My room is fairly large with a single bed, desk, basin, shelves and two large wardrobes. There is a blue radiator beneath my window and the room is all very quaint with yellow drapes and gossamer net curtains, ill-matching chairs and exposed piping that runs the length of one wall. To an outsider it may look like a glorified prison cell, but to me it has all the charms of a home.

The kitchen, bathroom and lounge are shared amongst the residents. Despite the twenty or so rooms that line either side of the corridor, the place is quiet and you never have to wait to use the kitchen or bathroom. And hardly anyone ever uses the lounge so you are free to watch cable television whenever you want.

Despite this, I've gotten to know a few of my neighbours. There's A (Indian guy who studied some non-specific degree and is working in domestic services), M (36 year old nurse from a nearby town), D (another British nurse), P (works in the canteen), S (who also works in the canteen), and a mixture of other people from Africa, Thailand, the Philipines and Britain.

Work is going fine. I've settled in nicely and have slowly tried to learn everyone's names etc. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. I've mainly been hanging around the other techs and tech students, and haven't really made an effort to talk to the pharmacists (hehe). But everyone there's great.

The actual work is good as well. I don't feel stressed at all! I'm also not just "dispensing" but also "labelling" as well (ie. typing labels on the computer and sticking labels on). I don't have to answer the phone, deal with outpatients or talk to arrogant consultants. I can talk openly with everyone from store people to the director of pharmacy.

However, part of me feels like I've reverted back to a student or something. I'm not using my brain much, I lack responsibility, take longish tea breaks etc. Essentially, I feel like I'm getting dumber. Oh well.

The weeks seem to fly by here.

My first weekend in Bristol, I acquainted myself with the town. I walked amongst the shops and narrow streets, looked around Corn street with its stalls and nearby undercover market (selling everything from vintage T-shirts to second-hand books). I then (of course) went to the Bristol Central Library and fell in love with it. The building itself is architecturally stunning with it's sand coloured stone walls and marble staircase. It has a great collection, as well as wireless internet and a cafe. The reference section upstairs looks amazing.

Anyway, I went to a Starbucks, ordered a latte and nestled into a comfy armchair where I started reading A.A.Milne's "The Red House Mystery" - a detective novel. Can you believe it? The author of Winnie The Pooh wrote a detective novel! It was his first and only (I'm pretty sure). How cool's that? Well I thought it was. It was a very happy time for me and made me fall in love with Bristol.

The next day I met up with Mesh, a Maurtian girl I'd met on the Top Deck tour I went on during the Summer. She is currently studying law at the University of Bristol (their faculty has an amazing building). We had lunch at an an oriental restaurant in Cabot Circus (this new shopping complex which is pretty awesome) in town. I had a curry laksa! It was delicious. yumyumyumyummm.

Anyway, after that, we made our way up the hill towards Clifton Village, stopping every now and again to take photos and look at graffiti.

We also saw the Clifton Suspension Bridge and watched as it lit up for the night. Very nice. Then had hot chocolate at a chocolate cafe called "Meme Chocolat". A very nice day out. I then did shopping at Tesco's and got ripped off by 50 pence. The crook.

The next weekend was the night of the Christmas party for work (yeah I know...just a month late lol). It was good fun. Got to have a nice meal (chocolate pudding was awesome) and talk to people. Oh yeah, I also visited the Arnolfini - Bristol's modern art gallery - in the morning. It was kinda cool but weird. I stayed to listen to one of their interactive workshop things. Way too abstract for me to understand.

The next day I walked along the dockyards towards the S.S. Britain and took in the sights.

Anyway, this post is really boring me. I miss the rant. lol.

I'm going to Cardiff tomorrow.

Will post up photos later! :)