With Anca Banca in London

Anca and I...we could not just do ordinary things in London...we had to do things our way :)

First of all...we were hosted by Femi...a very inspirational person I met at NPS 2005, when he was chair. He was an AI director for Africa 04-05 and he now works in the amazing Young Foundation in London. He is the leader of a project designed to build leaders for politics and public life out of young people from marginalized communities.
http://www.youngfoundation.org.uk/node/388

Together we had a lot of fun, starting from his birthday party, where we met more former AI members...to the dinner we had in a very good Malaesyan/Singaporean restaurant for his birthday...to the chill out time in his house, with good music, good conversations and good food. We finally got to taste plantane- a sort of bigger banana they fry and eat as main course in Nigeria- with stew.

In return Anca and I made him some yummy pan-cakes with apple.

Day 1: started out by the river side...

...where we met Alex, who was our private guide for a couple of hours. :)

This is when Anca shied away from taking a picture with the Beefeater. But see my dear...it's a nice picture...and I'm sure he doesn't mind...he has people asking him to do it every day..:P

After which I introduced her to my old friend in the Tower of London gift shop...you remember him, right? How can you forget...since he's so well...gifted...

Next we spied a bit on little Ben...


...took many pictures of the Houses of Parliament...

And finally, we were greatly amused by the brit guard at Westminster Abbey, who told us the history of this church and with whom we had a lillte gossip about the queen, Lady Di, etc.
Blogger: Codruta Stefaniga - Edit Post "With Anca Banca in London"
Later on that day, armed with some roasted peanuts

...we were ready for more sightseeing


..for meeting new people...
...and having loads of fun. We played kiddies games and won a key chain...

...made friends with Dali's pets...

...and made silly movies about some guys singing bad Bob Marley by the river side..till night caught us. "Oh...he is so devastated. Why doesn't he just die?" This was a Brian inspired line we thought was very appropriate for them. Even old black ladies were telling them to shut up...because Marley is turning in his grave.

On this bridge..I found Joanna and Pawel by mistake...and this is how I got a house for next year...where Joanna is living now. It has a huge bed and a beautiful garden. It's paradise. :)

Next day we started from our friend small Ben again...

...down to Buckingham Palace..through St. James Park...but this time the geese were wet and in hiding...

...Next stop was Trafalgar square...

by the Amirality Arch...

...into the National Galleries, where some old lady told me: "No! No!", meaning no pictures allowed. Ups!

...Next came Leicester square...where we were dreaming of big movie premieres, theatre tickets and ballet, where serbians were just having a tour and where we were asked very brutally: "Excuse me! lighter! please!" by some foreigner.

Anca loved Picadilly Circus...

...but we didn't go to Amora or to see the place where I'll stay with my parents in June...:(

...instead we went to Primark to but some birthday presents and some matching "surorile sister" shoes :)

on Oxford street...I told you some Brits shop like piglets...

On the last day we just had time for the Courts of Justice, Starbucks and some stories about the future...

...that's because Anca came with me into the MC to have a talk about Career Fairs and to meet the old Exchange managers.

Over all it was a diverse and fun time...in a diverse and fun city which I will call home for 13 months. First days were scary..because London is soo big, but after a while I got to thinking that London and I will get along just fine. Always a corner of it to discover...a show, a pub, a club. Not to mention the community of trainees and former AI people living here and my MC team who seem to be great people.