London by the Sea

Ok, a lot has been going on since I last wrote here. In the beginning of December I put my act on as an independent woman and travelled to Brighton alone for a day. Brighton is a beautiful seaside resort just 50 minutes away from Victoria station (if you take a fast train). Unfortunately the rail connection between Three Bridges and Brighton was under construction that weekend so it took me almost two hours to get there. Well, at least it was cheap (cheap Day Return was just 9 pounds) and the views were amazing :)

I was quite excited to return to the city where I spent four weeks as a teenager practising the language. I had some faint memories of the city but I seemed to forget how great it is (or maybe I just appreciate it more now after almost ten years). It's quite hilly and all the hills are covered with small houses. As we entered the city, our bus started climbing up the hill where the railway station stands. There I had my first feeling of familiar. I remembered arriving the station early in the morning eager to take the train to London. Only this time I was doing the quite opposite.

From the station I took direction to the Lanes. These tiny streets are the heart and soul of Brighton. You can find everything you need from there whether that's a lunch or vintage leather jacket. So I wasn't surprised to find it buzzing with people on Saturday afternoon. After wandering around it was time to move on and try to find the box office. I was there for the gig after all. On my way to the box office I passed the park behind the Royal Pavilion (pleasure palace of the lusty Prince Regent who later became King George IV) and suddenly this strong memory of me and my friends hiding behind the bushes drinking a cheap wine we'd got from M&S hit me. I started smiling like a maniac and I'm pretty sure couple of people gave me the weird look.

From the Pavilion I walked to the Palace Pier to see the amusement park and the seafront. It was so beautiful with all the lights but that bloody sea breeze almost froze my ass. But it was nice just browse around the pier and marvel at people there although I couln't stay long because of the chilliness that would overshadow refreshing sea air of Helsinki any time. It was time for a dinner in a small Thai place.

An hour and a half later I decided to hit the concert venue. When I arrived the scene there was already a queue in front of it. So I joined in and eventually had a really nice conversation with this Londoner couple. But when we finally reached the doors I found out that the gig I was going to see wouldn't start for another half an hour. So I took a little walk and returned a half an hour later. Well, let me just say, the gig was definitely worth waiting for. Ojos De Brujo played the full two hours' show with flamenco dancer and everything :D

After the gig it was time to take the bus and train combination back to London. The train arrived to Victoria Station around one and I still needed to take the bus back to our place. It took ages to travel through partying city but while I sat there watching the crazy British people wearing nothing at all I couldn't help feeling like home again.