So here we are, almost there, almost finished. Only one of each left:

• one normal class week,
• one revision week,
• one exam week.

And then the first term of the MBA is over. It feels like time to to look back and evaluate how things have been so far, but I am no there yet. Let's leave it for later. For now, there are still two major assignments to deliver, and both have to be started. There is still all the revision for the final exams to be done, and that's a lot. And there are still many hours with good people to be enjoyed.
Actually, there are many people in the class I didn't really got to know. But this is OK. With a class big like this (82, AFAIK), it was to be expected. Anyway, I still wish to have two or three chats with some interesting people. Don't want the feeling of missing an opportunity now, although this is unavoidable.
And I still have 3 very special weeks to enjoy with all I got before parting to thousands of miles (yes, they are anglicizing me) away.
But enough of sentimentalism, let's talk about London. But not too much, I really do have those assignments to start. The weekend was great, the weather was even not too bad. It was cold, really cold without freezing, but we even saw some sun rays from time to time. And it was busy, walking around the city and showing the sights. I was impressed of how familiar I am with the city and its transport system, after only two visits (now three) and some 13 days.
We had a situation with our hotel reservation which turned out well (or at least didn't turn out bad) right in the first hour of London. Then a very cold night in a cold top floor hotel room for fifty pounds. It is strange to see oneself thinking that 50 quid for a room is not expensive. After that a busy Saturday with parks and palace in the morning, Primark and Oxford Street in the afternoon and an Arabic music concert at Saint Barnaba's church.
Back to another hotel, Sunday. Camden Town station in the morning with its markets and curious shops. A great lunch with very dear friends who are at this moment flying over the Atlantic to Brazil and an afternoon on the Southbank. Walk, walk, walk. An evening at Picadilly Circus, China Town and Regent Street with its beautiful lights. Victoria Station and the long wait for the, of course, late Megabus coach. After another delay due to a fuel system fault and two bus exchanges we arrived safely at Cannon Park, just half an hour of more walking to the residences in the middle of the night.
No, I can't complain. It was a great weekend. But London was just the scenery, not that important at all.
And if I don't update this too much you know: only 3 more weeks to go. Gotta be here, now.

And later on I went to the Adelaide to a very cool jam session. Very nice room, friendly atmosphere, well organized, not too loud and fun.
I recommend it greatly. There I met other 4 harmonica players. Mano from Brazil (we have several friends in common, as he also comes from São Paulo), Dave, Phil and Huwey (not sure of the spelling).
And the bus stopping at the door brought me practically home, so it was a great evening.


No plans for tonight or tomorrow, so, if any of you have any suggestions, I'll be glad to read them. I might go to the 55 tomorrow, but am actually looking for something different.

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Information:
The Adelaide
143 Adelaide Road, London, NW3 3NL
(Swiss Cottage or Chalk Farm tubes)
The Niall Kelly Band began hosting a weekly jam here 10 April 2007. Feedback and comments welcome.
E-mail: jamattheadelaide@gmail.com
Web: http://www.myspace.com/jamattheadelaide

Well, we met at a Starbucks on Villiers St. in downtown London for about 2 hours today. We were maybe 10 people in total, and it was fun getting to know some of my future colleagues already. Let's see if I will be able to remember all the names.
Each of us had it's caricature drawn by Simon, and this was not only fun, but also impressive. But I have to admit that it is strange to see how others see you and which characteristics stand out and are exagerated in the drawing. I know know that I should have shaved this morning, but I am intentionally letting my beard grow, so...
Here three pictures I took hastily before the group disbanded.

070919 WBS Coffee meeting

Well, I was on my way on Exhibition Road to the Imperial College's library, looked left and saw a familiar face. It was the yound and already very successful chromatic harmonica player Philip Achile. I had met him briefly during the World Harmonica Festival 2005, where he ended up being champion.
Philip had a saxophone case with him. It turns out that he is studying sax at the Imperial College, but wants to try playing harmonica there too. Well, he has made it to the Royal Albert Hall already, I guess that says a lot!

070915 01 Thames Festival

The weather was great, lots of people outside, some interesting booths and, at the end, good music. The Thames Festival was my main activity yesterday in the afternoon.

Well, a first note on travelling to London. Those cheap flight to Stanstead are really temping. But take into consideration that you will spend at least an extra 25 pounds (almost €40,00) to get to Central London, between the train, the tube and change comission. The best bet is London City airport.


At Stanstead


The day after, taking a bus trip from Hammersmith Hospital to Piccadilly Circus. Why Piccadilly? Because. It was as good a destination as any other. I chose the bus over the tube so that I could see the sights too, sitting in the top front left spot. This inverted traffic system is really scary.


Then a stop at Apple's store on Regent Street. I liked the stairs a lot. Made of glas. It is interesting, though, to watch how things work there. It has characteristics of a church, school, social center. You really don't go there just to buy things. You can spend hours testing everything, learning from the instructors, watching product presentations and workshops.

From 070912-13 London

Good thing I am not a Mac fan, or I would have come out of the shop a lot poorer. But the new iPod Nano is nice. And I have friends who enjoy this, so I put the photos online.

And later I was walking towards Piccadilly Circus I heard the distinctive sound of live music. And, sure enough, great funk music with tight horn lines was flowing out of a big fancy shop. I got in, spent some minutes, drank a nice glass of berry juice, shot this short video and continued on my way.


More photos here.

And it seems that, this time, it will be Irish. First I found the following:

Irish Music Sessions: Community Corner:

The second Friday of the month.

At Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre, London
From 7:30pm
Price: Free

And then, by chance, I saw that Brendan Power, harmonica extraordinaire, and old acquaintance, will be playing the same venue on Saturday:

Saturday, 15 September 2007
Brendan Power
At Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre, London
From 8:15pm (Doors 7:30pm)

On Monday I'll probably go to the blues jam at the "Ain't nothin' but..." with two or three harmonicas in the pockets. Let's see.

It is a pitty, but the Spitz is closing now in September. I've been there on my first trip to London with Nix, a big fan of punk blues and we saw the Urban Vodoo Machine one and a half years ago.
NIX, I'll drink a vodka screwdriver in your name!