In London

Hi everyone,
well, i made it to london, i just dont know what to do... i went yesterday to most of the sights, buckingham, westminster etc... i just have no clue what else to do.
i want to get out of the country but i dont know how. going to france will be a mission, getting visa's finding a place to stay in calais then what...im thinking i might just go home, and put a deposit on a house (with the money i havent spent yet) i just dont think im a backpacker...great to find that out now that im here huh.
well, im pretty much just venting online, because i dont have a soul in this hemisphere to talk to.
anyways...im just really daunted.

[beergal]

heh ace have no fear!
do you need to get out of london or can you not go travelling around the Uk
where are you from what sort of visa's do you think you need

im from new zealand,
im thinking of doing some kinda tour, like contiki, but, you have to sign up for them in advance...i just keep having this feeling like im not a backpacker, its not homesickness, im just overwhelmed by this place...i just dont want to go home because i will be mocked forever

[urOZm8]

Give it time! London is a big city with lots of people so I understand it can be a bit much for the first time traveller. Maybe head to somewhere smaller like Oxford or Bath?

Is it because you haven't met anyone yet? You will soon and I wouldn't judge England just on London.

Stick it out, trust me things will improve!

ev

do you know where i should go to get some info on going to different places?

[urOZm8]

Hi Ace, I would start with National Express. This is the bus company that I used predominantly when travelling through the South West of England.

ev

[d_fresh]

if you want to go to france by eurostar just head to waterloo station.

[tumblezweedz]

If you're at a hostel they probably have info on tours/excursions in and around the area - try signing up for one and meet some other travellers. If not, check out tourist info or a student travel agency - they're bound to have group things, and it sounds like you need some human interaction right now! Once you get over the jet lag, culture shock, and initial reaction to being alone on the other side of the earth (what have I done? I can't do this! What was I thinking? etc.) you'll be able to cope better with being on your own, and paradoxically will meet more people and spend less time alone! But give yourself some time, you'll adjust and you can handle it!

Pick a tour that covers something you're particularly interested in (history, art, architecture, music, outdoors, etc) because you'll be more likely to meet people who share your interests which makes initial conversation easier.

The student travel folks can also help you with your visa questions too, but I don't think I'd recommend leaving England until you're feeling a little more comfortable in travel mode - adding language issues to everything else could just add stress.

While you're in London, I'd definitely check out the British Museum - it's a calm place to escape the clamour of London and see a truly mind-boggling collection. And check out the exhibits relating to Australian/NZ culture and history. Sometimes seeing something familiar helps settle the nerves a bit. In the same vein, isn't there an ANZAC club in London? Meeting people from home helps ease the adjustment too.

Relax, take a deep breath and give yourself some time. As we say in Lithuania, viskas bus gerai. (Everything will be fine!)

[zylah]

Hang in there, it does sound like you may be a bit lost, but were here to help.
A few things to think about doing in london:

museums and galleries in londaon may still be free, and there is soo much stuff there. (Tate moden, British , National portrait etc)

check out greenwich and the maritime museum,
or take one of those cruises along the thames whith all the speel,


For something different there used to be a jack the ripper walking tour, or the beatles http://www.walks.com/index.aspx?pageId=16
that would let u meet some new and interesting ppl. or u could try window shopping at harrods.
for local things try: http://www.londontourist.org/

or go catch a show at covent gardens
If you want to get out of London, theres always Avesbury (the free version of stonehenge (with a village in the middle)) or theres Brighton, if u miss the sea (but no sand)
or you could catch a proper football match.
Theres plenty to do I thik u need to figure out what u want to do/see.

The trains in england are pretty good. I think most of the ones for the country leave from Paddington.


tourism office: http://www1.visitbritain.com/VB3-en-AU/pra...mation/tic.aspx

1 Regent Street
London SW1Y 4XT

Nearest Underground station: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines)

Monday: 09.30 - 18.30
Tuesday to Friday: 09.00 - 18.30
Weekends: 10.00 - 16.00
Saturdays from June to Sept: 09.00 - 17.00

[southbeachbabe]

I go through the same thing every time I go on a new trip. I get to this new country, thinking "why did I think this was a good idea? i don't have one person to talk to, no idea where i am or where to go. i'm not cut out for this!" Especially each time I get comfortable in a hostel, then change cities and have to go through the whole thing again. Its daunting and scary at first, but then, months later i'm sitting at home dreaming about my next trip and realising how much the whole thing made me learn & grow. *yes - i'm a walking cliche, but its true!*

Like everyone else said, hang in there, it'll get better trust me. Are you staying in a hostel that seems to have a pretty friendly/social vibe to it? If not, my advice would be to maybe switch to one that does. I haven't been to London since I was little, but I'm sure people here know some cool hostels. Meeting people is definitely the key to feeling less daunted & overwhelmed and getting rid of the initial 'i wanna go home' feelings.

And the great thing about backpacking is, everyone is in the same situation and probably feeling the same things as you, so start up conversation with some randoms. (even the weird loner sitting picking manky stuff out of his toenails in the corner of the lounge has a few stories to tell and having a laugh about hileriously disgusting things like him trying to shake your hand mid-toe pick is bound to make your feel better! After all, laughter is the best medicine right)
Isolating yourself i find is the worst thing you can do, don't just suffer in silence as they say. I hear that aussies & kiwis are everywhere in London, so theres bound to be some good pubs to hang out in, meet some fellow travellers or people doing the work/travel thing.

Like the other guys said, I'd definitely just give it some more time before you race back to this side of the world. It would be worse for you to get back to NZ and regret not sticking it out. The things that are daunting at first often end up the most worthwhile

(no more cliches i promise)

[showtimestafford]

Just about to leave on my first trip and I know how you feel mate, utterly stunned! But just think, If theres two people who are this daunted then there must be loads more out there! Just stick in there! And gettin pissed always makes it easier for me to meet people, maybe you too? Just be glad your alive

[TimmyJames1976]

Hey Ace...it can be a bit much at first. London is so darn big. Best way to g oabout things is try and meet some other travelers. Many are friendly because they too are in the same boat. As for places to check out in London you can wal around Camden Town (northern line on the tube) for some less touristy parts. My friend sent me there and it was great. There is a lot to explore. I usually don´t set big planes, I just wander around and see what happens. Good Luck!

thanks for all your kind words guys, but i am heading home...i have already changed my ticket for tomorow (the 12th)
i spent the whole day wandering around taking pics of the sights etc...its just no fun by myself, i mean, its great being here and all, but i would just really prefer having a mate aswell. plus, i cant justify spending a shitload of cash to look at a bunch of buildings and get drunk (and lost) in a completley foreign city.
i have a mate going to canada in 6 months, who wants me to go with him...so i figure, go home now, before spending all my cash, and go with him in 6 months time.
well, so long london it was kinda fun...

[showtimestafford]

oh well, perhaps the excitement you built up for this trip acts as overkill for your next one in 6 months... Atleast you didnt have to cancel two months worth of hostels though!

yeah...i guess im more of a homebody than i thought huh...

im just not cut out for solo backpacking, i just feel bad for my parents who helped me heaps to get over here, now im coming back so soon...but im really not having a good time.
last night i brought a dozen beers down to the lounge room and invited some people to drink them with me, they drunk them all then fucked off to the pubs, but didnt invite me... maybe i stink?
i have thought about changing hostels, but i just want to get home...regardless of all the mockings im gonna get for not being able to 'stick it out'

someone should also change my tpunk description

<----------


im far from a backpacker specialist...more like backpacker has-been, never-was

[space virgin]

Aw! Dude! Don't give up on the whole backpacking thing yet. Maybe it's just that London isn't your scene. Don't worry, I think that everyone experiences at least some of what you're talking about at one time or another.

Do what you feel is best-- there's no use being miserable. But please, don't let one mediocre experience shut you off from the idea of solo travel altogether! Good luck.

[omisan]

I dunno how set you are to go home, but SV is right - maybe you need to hightail it out of London and go somewhere more, I dunno, vacationy with a party atmosphere - like Spain or something. It's cheaper, the weather is great, and the people are wonderful. (Not that I have anything against London, it's practically like a second home to me...)

[tumblezweedz]

Sounds like you've got a good back up plan in action there - solo travel isn't for everyone, but maybe travelling with your friend to Canada in a few months is a better idea. You can go back home and say, "You know, I wanted to travel, but London was kinda tame, I think I want to do something really wild, like Canada, for a REAL adventure. So I wanted to come home to start saving again."

Course, you're looking at the northern hemisphere in winter...

Check out Vancouver, it has the best winter climate and great winter sports, too. And it'll remind you of home. Ocean, mountains, green...ah, beautiful. Laid back, too.

[bellelass]

Oh no! Oh no oh no oh no! I wish I was still in london, I'd rescue you in a sec!

last night i brought a dozen beers down to the lounge room and invited some people to drink them with me, they drunk them all then fucked off to the pubs, but didnt invite me...* maybe i stink?

nah, thats just not really a good way to make friends, just about every solo traveler I've seen come through the hostel who didnt know how to make friends did that.. Sorry you got taken advantage of, but dont go back all that way after just a bit of time! If you're REALLY desparate for cool people to hang out with, I can hook you up with a great crowd there. Or go to the Shepard's Bush Walkabout... Its full of the young ex-pat dirty traveler type and people are really really nice. As for stinking, I never found that anyone really cared about that.. Come on, mate, dont go home, its summer in europe! Everyone is out to make friends with everyone! You can do it! London is a bit overbearing, just get out... Really!