I arrived in Camden, and I was stoked to see my accommodations. I knew it would be small, but I looked at the photos online, and it looks beautiful! So new and updated! See here:

Well, my harsh reality check didn’t start off too badly, but it went downhill quick. The hallway is nice, updated wooden flooring and recently painted. The lounge areas and reception look like an Urban Outfitters catalogue come to life, complete with multiple terrariums with fake succulents and classical English novels lying about for your pleasure.

After the hallway, however, you arrive at your room. Which is a studio apartment really meant for one person on a weekend, week-long, maybe month-long trip tops. But, lucky for Sam (my roommate) and I, they crammed us both into this little bitty room for the next 5 months! (Honestly, it’s not that bad, it’s just not what I was led to expect and I can’t help being sarcastic). A first look around the room reveals bunk beds, an industrial ladder than appears to have been bought at home depot, a wobbly desk with one chair, a closet that can’t be used because someone shoved a mini-fridge in it, a kitchen counter that has a 2 burner induction stove, some cabinet space that I’m not quite tall enough to reach, some lower cabinet space with a microwave taking it all up, and a closet-like opening that is just two shelves.

(my apologies for the mess, my roommate and I’s stuff exploded out of our overpacked suitcases as soon as we arrived)

Upon exploring more, I discovered I don’t get an actual mattress, it’s more of a futon pad that’s the equivalent of sleeping on your yoga mat. Which is like nothing. But pressing onward!

When I first walked in, there were doors to my right that I assumed were closet doors and that we weren’t actually stuck with only that shelf for closet space. I was soooo wrong. The doors led to the bathroom, which as a tiny little space for a sink and toilet. Not too bad, I assumed we would just have to share community showers or something.

Wrong again! I looked up at the ceiling, and surprise, the bathroom is ALSO the SHOWER ROOM. It’s a two in one! Awesome! (please note sarcasm).

 See that metal square in the ceiling? That’s the shower head. I would compare it to showering outside during a severe thunderstorm alert. Some of the nozzles spray water in crazy directions, so that by the time you’re done, the entire room is soaking wet and you have to find somewhere else to store all of your contacts, makeup, and toiletries because if anything stays in the bathroom/shower powerhouse room, it will drown.

It turns out, the room is full of mirrors which make for a nicely lit and seemingly spacious photo. It’s not real! The reality is harsh! But it’s okay. I’m adapting to the shower-bathroom, embracing shower shoes, and learning the art of grocery shopping every few days so as to not overwhelm the mini-fridge. I’m thinking of this as preparation for all of the hostels I will be in over the summer. It’s like backpacking bootcamp! Or so I’m telling myself. Really, though, who cares about the accommodations. I’m in London! And I like to think my sarcastic re-telling will give someone a laugh.

xox,

Lauren