London summer 2018

( Out of the Bank Subway station, London )

When I was in my fourth year of university in Riga, I started dreaming about doing something different for the summer. I didn’t just want a break, I wanted an experience. London kept coming to mind, a city full of energy, opportunities, and stories waiting to happen. At the same time, I wanted to earn some money to help my mum and become more independent, without having to rely on her too much.

The idea quickly turned into a plan. I reached out to two friends I had met in Portugal who were already living and working in London. They told me everything, how they found jobs, where they were staying, and how they made it all work. Hearing their stories made it feel real, like something I could actually do.

So I took the leap. I contacted a work agency, paid the fee, and started organizing my move. It all felt a bit scary, but mostly exciting, the kind of excitement that comes with stepping into the unknown.

The agency, UKAServices in Bethnal Green ( UKAS ), helped me set everything up. They found me accommodation at Bethnal Student Living, arranged a job, gave me a SIM card, and guided me through all the paperwork I needed to work in the UK. Suddenly, this big, intimidating plan felt manageable.

I booked my flight for the 13th of July, perfectly timed so I could celebrate my birthday at home in Italy, surrounded by my friends and family, before leaving for this new chapter.

I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but that was the best part. London was waiting, and I was ready to discover it.

Just 23 yo and one way flight to London

The day before leaving, I had a birthday dinner with my whole family. It’s a special tradition for us because I share my birthday with one of my aunts, so we always celebrate together. That evening, we all went to a pizzeria in Moncalvo, near Cereseto where we live, enjoying good food, laughter, and the comfort of being together before my departure.

The next day, at 11:50 a.m., I took my flight from Milan Bergamo to London Stansted, landing at around 1 p.m. From there, I caught the metro to Leyton to picked up the keys to my new place, and made my way to the house in Leyton, where I would be living. After such a long day of traveling, I went straight to bed, completely exhausted.

At first, everything felt new and exciting, but I quickly realized the house wasn’t what I had imagined. It was a shared house with many other people, far from everything, and not very comfortable. Honestly, I didn’t like it at all.

The following morning, I woke up and joined a walking tour with my Spanish roommate and a few other people. It was a nice way to start exploring the city and meeting new faces. Later that afternoon, I took a train from London Waterloo to Winchester to visit my friend Chiara. I had already visited her a few months earlier while I was living in Riga, and now that I was in London, it felt right to see her again.

Weekend in Winchester

On Saturday, the 14th of July, I went to visit my friend Chiara in Winchester. I took the train from London and arrived around 8 p.m., after a short one-hour journey. Even though it was a quick trip, it already felt like I was escaping the chaos of the city.

We spent the evening together catching up, and then got ready to go out. We went for a drink and later headed to Pitcher & Piano, the same place I had been to the last time I visited her. There aren’t many clubs in Winchester, but that place always guarantees a fun night, and it didn’t disappoint.

The next day was much slower and just as enjoyable. We had a proper English breakfast at Josie’s, taking our time and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards, we walked up to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the city, then wandered around exploring small streets and hidden corners. At lunchtime, we bought some food and had a picnic right in front of the cathedral, which felt like one of those simple but perfect travel moments. We spent the rest of the afternoon discovering more of the city and taking photos everywhere.

Later that evening, I took the train back to London, arriving at Waterloo around 10 p.m. From there, I took the subway to Leyton. That’s when I really realized how far it was and how uncomfortable the area felt at night. I was walking alone, and it wasn’t a great feeling. Still, I made it home safely and went straight to bed, exhausted after such a full weekend.

FIRST WEEK IN LONDON

( Waiting the tube of Bethnal Green as everyday in London )

My first week in London was incredibly intense. Things didn’t start as expected, because the agency initially placed me in a house in Leyton, far from everything, in what felt like a bad neighborhood. The house itself was big, but dirty and not very welcoming.

Then on Monday, at the beginning of my first proper week, I had an appointment with the agency and decided to complain about the accommodation. Luckily, they listened and moved me to the student residence at Bethnal Student Living. Everything immediately felt a bit better. It wasn’t the nicest area either, but in my opinion it was definitely an improvement and much closer to everything.

I was given a room with three other girls, two Spanish and one French, and they were all really nice. It instantly felt more social and welcoming compared to the house, and I finally started to feel a bit more settled.

That said, the week was still very challenging. From Tuesday to Saturday, my days were packed with interviews and trial shifts. On top of that, I had to find the right clothes for each trial and buy everything I needed for the new place. I was constantly moving around London, spending most of my time on the Tube, going from one side of the city to the other.

My first trial was as a waitress at Al Duca. It didn’t go well, even though the boss was kind. He decided not to hire me, but he did help me by recommending me for another trial at Estiatorio Milos near Piccadilly Circus. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out either.

The agency then sent me to a small bar near the Thames, but I immediately felt it wasn’t the right place for me. The conditions weren’t great and the pay was low, so I decided not to continue there.

Finally, they offered me a position at Quilon, a restaurant inside the Taj Hotel in Westminster. I started working there as a runner. It was a very demanding job, but during the interview the manager seemed serious and honest, which made me trust the place. I decided to accept it, hoping it would be the right start.

That same night, I went out in Shoreditch, not far from Bethnal Green, just to relax a bit and enjoy some free time. I ended up going for a drink with my first ever Tinder date I don’t remember where she was from but she was living in London for quite a while. It was completely spontaneous, but surprisingly nice, we had drinks together and overall a really good experience.

On Sunday, I spent the day exploring London like a tourist with my Spanish roommate, Lucie. We walked through some of the city’s most iconic spots, from St Paul’s Cathedral to London Bridge, then on to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and finally Trafalgar Square. After such a hectic week, it felt good to slow down and actually enjoy the city I was now living in.

SECOND WEEK IN LONDON

Monday was my first official day at work, and I remember feeling genuinely happy. In just one week, I had managed to find a job and start working, which gave me a real sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t easy, especially at the beginning. The job was physically demanding and fast-paced, but the salary was good, and that motivated me to keep going and push through the challenges. In a way, it made me stronger.

The days that followed quickly fell into a routine. Mornings were usually quiet, spent at home studying, writing, and trying to stay productive, while evenings were dedicated to work, often long shifts that lasted until late at night. This rhythm continued all the way until Sunday, which was finally my first day off.

It also happened to be the day off of one of my roommates, Lucia, who is Spanish. We had made a lot of plans to explore London together, but unfortunately the weather had other ideas. It was cloudy, grey, and slightly rainy, the kind of day that makes you want to stay inside. So instead, we waited for our other roommate, Lucy, who is French, to come back home.

In the end, the three of us decided to still go out, but keep it simple. We went to the Jin Bo Law rooftop bar, not far from where we lived, and had a drink while enjoying the skyline, even under the cloudy sky. It wasn’t the day we had planned, but it still turned into a nice, relaxed moment together. Afterwards, we headed back home, ready to start another week. While all of this was happening, I also made another decision for myself. I decided to start an online master’s course in social media management. Even with the intensity of my new life in London, I wanted to keep building something for my future and not lose focus on my personal growth.

It wasn’t easy to balance everything at the beginning, with work, moving, and adapting to a completely new city, but it gave me a sense of direction outside of the chaos. In a way, it helped me stay grounded while everything else was changing so quickly.

THIRD WEEK IN LONDON

Monday marked the start of my third week in London. In the morning, I focused on my online master’s in social media marketing, and in the evening I worked as usual. It was becoming my new routine, balancing study and long work shifts.

On Tuesday, I worked all day, but by Wednesday it already felt like my weekend had started. I went out to a club called La Rumba with one of my colleague, Ignacio and it was a fun night to break the routine a bit.

Thursday was thankfully my day off, so I used it to rest. In the evening, I went out again with my colleague and my roommate, this time to Tiger Tiger Club. It was another lively night in central London.

On Friday, I met someone unexpected from home, my neighbor Sara from Cereseto, who was in London visiting her boyfriend. We met for lunch in Carnaby Street and then walked around the area, catching up and enjoying the atmosphere.

Saturday, I saw Sara again during the day. We went for lunch and then walked through Hyde Park, which was a nice, peaceful break from the busy city life. Later that evening, we went to a garden party called Cocktails in the City, where we had a few drinks and enjoyed the atmosphere before I had to head to work afterward.

On Sunday, I worked all day again, closing another intense week in London.

FOURTH WEEK IN LONDON

Monday marked the beginning of my fourth week in London. Nothing special happened at the start of the week, just the usual routine of working on Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday was my day off, so I took it easy during the day. Later in the evening, I went to The Shard to have a drink on my own. I ordered a Cosmopolitan, which turned out to be the most expensive one I’ve ever had at £22.50, but the view and experience made it worth it in its own way. After that, I was invited to a dinner at Libertine Club by a promoter I had randomly met. I decided to go alone and treat it like an adventure, and it turned out to be an incredible night. I met a lot of new people and really enjoyed the atmosphere.

The next day at work was definitely harder, thanks to the hangover, but I got through it. On Friday, I went to work as usual, and during the lunch break I met my friend Chiara, who was on her way from Winchester to the airport to fly back to Milan. It was a quick but nice catch-up before I headed back to work and then out again in the evening.

What can I say? I’m 23 years old now, and I’ve been going out since I was 14. I love clubs and nightlife. I had slowed down a bit in the past, but I don’t think you can completely live without that side of life.

So that weekend turned into another intense one. On Friday night I went to Reign, Saturday to Scandal, and Sunday to Drama Park Lane, all by invitation. On Sunday I also met a new friend Tatiana from Russia, and we ended up going out together a few times after that, sharing nights out and exploring London’s nightlife together.

FIFTH WEEK IN LONDON

After that weekend, I was completely exhausted. From Monday to Thursday I worked double shifts every day, trying to recover while still keeping up with the intensity of London life.

Finally, on Thursday night, I went out again with my Russian friend Tatyana. We went back to Reign, and later ended up at her friends’ house for an afterparty, staying up to watch the sunrise and enjoying those chaotic but unforgettable moments that only nights like that can bring.

Friday was tough. I was still in full hangover mode, but after work I went out again with my colleague Amal to Heaven, a well-known LGBTQ+ club in London. It was a different vibe, but a really fun night.

Saturday was finally my day off. I spent most of the day in bed sleeping and recovering. In the evening, I got ready and went out for dinner at the W Hotel, and later continued the night at Cirque Le Soir club on my own. It was another intense but memorable night in London.

Sunday was all about rest again. I slept most of the day, trying to recharge, and then went back to work in the evening, ready to start another week.

SIXTH WEEK IN LONDON

Monday was all work, with no time for anything else. From Tuesday onward, everything shifted into full London mode with work during the day and partying all night.

On Tuesday, I started the night solo at Tape before meeting my colleague Amal at Reign Club. Wednesday I went alone to MNKY HSE, and by Thursday I was back at Reign again, this time with Tatyana.

Friday was finally my day off, so I slowed things down a bit. I walked around the city alone, taking photos and enjoying some quiet moments. That night, I met Tatyana and Natalia at Chiltern Firehouse for drinks before dinner. We continued on to Novikov and ended the night at Maddox Club.

By Saturday, I was completely exhausted. I still had to work all day, but I skipped going out that night because all the partying was catching up with me. Sunday was quieter too, with just an evening shift.

SEVENTEEN WEEK IN LONDON

The week started with a bank holiday on Monday, but I still worked all day. On Tuesday morning, I went to pay my rent and realized I didn’t have any money. Work hadn’t paid me yet, even though I had started back in July. Luckily, I wasn’t spending much anyway since I had free entry to clubs and drinks most nights.

On Wednesday, I went out with my friend Tatyana and some guys who were working as promoters at a private nightclub called The Box. It was amazing, probably my favorite place so far.

Thursday night, I met my Russian friends at Novikov and later ended up at Maddox again, which is one of my favorite club.

Friday was my day off, and I went on a date at Aqua Kyoto with a Lithuanian girl met again on Tinder. All I can say is that it was an incredible night, one I’ll probably never forget. After dinner, we went clubbing at Café de Paris and then she comes to my place even if i had roomates.

Saturday and Sunday were both workdays, so nothing too exciting. I just went home after my shifts and rested.

EIGHT WEEK IN LONDON

Monday marked the beginning of my seventh week, and I was feeling unexpectedly emotional. I didn’t want to go back to Italy. I liked it here, the people, the nightlife, everything. Of course, I still went out that night, heading alone to Sumosan Twiga, a really beautiful club.

Tuesday was my day off, so I made the most of it by booking a tour online, I think through GetYourGuide or Viator. It turned out to be a full-day trip from London to Windsor Castle, Lacock, and Bath. On the way back, we stopped at Stonehenge, and before going home, I went up to The Shard to watch the sunset. It felt like one of those perfect days you don’t want to end.

On Wednesday, I only worked in the evening, and afterward I went out to Cuckoo. It was a nice club, but I didn’t stay long since I had to work all day on Thursday and Friday.

Friday night, after work, I met my friends at a beautiful members’ club in Mayfair called Tramp. We had a great time, but the next day I was too exhausted to do anything. By the evening, I was back at work as usual.

Saturday night was quieter, just a couple of drinks at Charlie Berkeley Street Club.

By Sunday, my emotions were catching up with me. In the morning, I worked at another restaurant owned by the same group, Bombay Brasserie, and then went back to Quilon for my evening shift. In total, I worked 12 hours that day. After work, I had a date with the same Lithuanian girl at her place, but earlier everything hit me at once and I ended up crying for about 15 minutes at work. After that, I felt better.

When I finally met her, we spent the whole night at her place, talking and drinking until 6 a.m., completely lost in the moment.

NINTH WEEKS IN LONDON

That was the beginning of my last week in London. I woke up at her place, still hungover and barely remembering anything from the night before. We had something to eat for lunch, and then I left for the train station to go to work, still feeling completely out of it.

Tuesday was easier. I had lunch with a colleague Amal at SushiSamba, a very nice and expensive restaurant, trying to enjoy my final days in the city. After that, we walked near St. Paul’s Cathedral and stopped at Madison for dessert. Then we headed to work together. After my shift, I met Selvaggia, a friend from Riga, and we spent a few hours talking about old memories and our plans for the future since she was in London for a visit.

On Wednesday night, after work, I joined a friend at Ruya Bar in Mayfair, a really beautiful spot. Later, we went clubbing at Cirque Le Soir, which I can definitely say is one of my favorite clubs in London.

The next day, I worked all day again, and in the evening I stopped by Toy Room alone for just one drink.

Friday was finally my last day, and I was really happy about it. I spent my break with a colleague, and in the evening I was in a relaxed mood and ended up drinking quite a lot. I left work with my colleague feeling pretty tipsy, and around 1 a.m. I went to work at Tape Club because sometimes I was working in those club as a Bottle girl / hostess. It was exhausting, I ended up working 18 hours.

Saturday was all about rest. I took it easy, went to Harrods to buy a few souvenirs, and went to sleep early since I had an early flight the next morning.

On the 16th of September, I flew back to Italy in the morning catching the bus National Express from London Bethnal Green at 5:45 am to London Stansted and then catch the flight with Ryanair at 8:45 am to Malpensa to spend a week with my family while I was there, my mum was undergoing a bone marrow transplant with my aunt Sandra, who was suffering from leukemia.

Bars and Clubs in London: