Laura and Lars Travel: The Home of Tea and Harry Potter!

The weather hasn't been that bad whilst we have been here. Yes, it is getting colder with each letter I type, but the sky has been clear and blue quite a few times. I also love the clouds here, they can go from looking like candy floss to being small wisps that look like the small waves when the tide comes in. On Saturday, Lars and I went on an adventure to The Camden Markets. There is no direct route, so we got off at Baker Street, visited Mr Holmes, and went for a wander in Regents Park. So nice to see so much green. The Santander Hire Bikes were calling our names, so we hoped on and rode our way around the park, past the million pound properties, past the adorable squirrels, dodging the Ravens, and sailing past the giraffes... What? Giraffes? Huh? So I found out that there is a zoo in Regents Park. We must come back here! We got to Camden, and there is a clothing market and a food market, and the population of Auckland were ready and waiting for the bargains. Once we had manoeuvred our way through the gallons of people, we could smell the waft of international spices. Apart the smells are divine, together they create a smell so mouthwatering that it could create world peace. We decided to let our noses and stomachs decide. We went left past the fish and chips, Polish hot dogs, pastas, and Peruvian salads. Then right to the Turkish, Colombian, Venezuelan, and mulled wine stalls. There were too many! Lars decided on Venezuelan; cornbread pita, chargrilled beef with melted cheese, fried banana, and a healthy sprinkling of vegetables and hummus. I decided on Ethiopian. Good choice! Rice, lentils, Lamb, and a whole bunch of vegetables that I didn't know. Topped with a fermented wheat pancake, actually delicious. For desert I went the complete opposite. Mini Dutch pancakes covered in melted Nutella and strawberries. Lars went for a no chocolate covered crepe - Boring.

Now I have done two days of relieving work here, they call it supply. Both are an interesting story. On my first day, last Thursday, I follow the instructions to the school that I have been told about. I had been told that it was a very posh, all boys, private school. So when I turned up to a lovely catholic school I was pleasantly surprised. I was told to find a man called William, there was no William but the office said there was a Miss Williams, so I waited for her. All the staff were so friendly, the kids were adorable. After the morning prayer, where I was confused with which way I should do the cross, I got put into a year 1 class. 30 five year olds. I was ready for anything to come my way. About 20 minutes in, the Headmaster comes to me and let's me know that I had been sent to the wrong school. A taxi was on its way to pick me up. On the way out, the headmaster said she liked my attitude and wanted me to work there in a permanent position. We kiwis are hot commodities! After a half hour drive, I turned up to a very old building that had been done up. I signed in to the office and then had to be walked to the year 4 building, down the road and around the corner. As soon as I stepped into the class, I was underway. There were 14 boys, I had to keep them silent all day, they had to work out of text books, and the only maths they did were algorithms. I knew within a minute, this school was not my cup of tea. After school ended at 3.45, I had a meeting with the deputy headmaster. He wanted to offer me a job teaching a year 4 class. I had to say that I have only been in the country 6 days and I am wanting to have the flexibility of doing supply. Being offered two jobs in one day is a nice boost to the ego. When the meeting was done, I realised that I had no clue where I was in London. My google maps had decided to go in strike. So I walked left, I found a bus stop that was nearly going in the direction I wanted, so I continued to walk. The sun had set by now because it was 4.15. I was greatful to see the underground symbol up ahead. Northern or district line? I needed neither. I hopped on the district line because it would take me to a station that I could transfer to the Piccadilly line. Then the Piccadilly line would take me to another station where I could get on to the Jubilee line and that could take me home. I definitely deserved my cookies and Rosé that evening!

My day two of teaching was yesterday. It was in a Nursery class. So 3 year olds. I understand that some people love this. But I learnt yesterday that my passions ly with teaching older kids. Yesterday I read them stories, watched them play, helped them go to the loo, helped them take on and off their jackets, gave them an apple and some milk, and sang some songs. No reading, writing, maths, p.e, or actual conversations. To all the kindy teachers out there, I applaud you. But I have another day tomorrow with some year twos, bring it on!