Blue Ruby

It's 4 a.m. on my first friday night in London. I just got back from a bar/club named Blue Ruby. Apparently here there is a distinction between bars, clubs and pubs. Ask me to define them and I really couldn't tell you the difference, but one definitely exists. Tonight was one of those nights that I really realized where I was and the company I was with. The night club was located in Leceister Square just a 10 minute walk from my dorms. Almost everything is a 10 minute walk from my dorm. I realized how central I really am.

I started out my night pre drinking in the dorms with a few people playing drinking games that reminded me of home. I was sipping on some cheap vodka that was anything but cheap. $20 for a 1.5 liter. It's a little ridiculous. We loosened up and decided to go to an Irish pub located just on the outskirts of Chinatown named O'Neills. It was an £8 cover roughly equivalent to $16. Just to get into the place and another £3.50 for a beer. Do the math.

We got to the joint and as my first friday night out the streets were packed with locals. Everyone is walking around and it reminded me of the city that never sleeps. However, there was something for familiar about the place. It feels safer, more secure. I learned today that the police in London don't even carry guns, they patrol certain areas and just makes sure that no one is acting out of the norm. Also, pepper spray can land you in the "cells" as they call it for up to 10 years maximum. The offense of carrying pepper spray is equivalent to carrying an AK47 around the streets of London. I'd say a pretty serious offense. This leads me to conclude that the crime rate in London cannot be all that high. The worst crimes committed are credit card fraud, rape and assault. When you think of the spectrum of crimes one can commit these are at the bottom. It sounds horrible to say.

It was a small group of us made up of mostly UF students, Germans, a Japanese and a Southern New Hampshire University kid named Pedro. As we walked down the street I didn't feel threatened. It was like walking down downtown Gainesville at night when the bars are over flowing and students are all over the sidewalks. It was comfortable. It was normal.

We arrived at O'Neills at 12 a.m. and £8 seemed to steep to get into the joint. Not to mention it was overcrowded and accordign to the locals it was not the type of bar you pay £8 for. But to them £8 is the way we look at $8. It's still a pretty hefty cover charge. We skip on O'Neills and head over to Leceister Square a.k.a. Tourist trap central. However, today was different. Many of the locals were out and it reminded me of a micro- Times Square. Everyone here is out and looking for a cheap cover, cheap drinks and a good time. They are all dressed very well not at all like the standards back in the states.

We come across a promotor working for commission who offers us £6 to get into a bar named Blue Ruby. I was reluctant at first but my apprehension was soon overcome when I realized I'm only here once and this is my first weekend here so why the fuck not right? I cough up the cash and make my way in. To start the night off right we pay a mere $7 for their "cheapest" shot made of southern comfort and some other shit. The bartender was American who whore a Colombian bracelet because her fiance was from there. She thought we were idiots. I was a dick back though- naturally. We down the shot and realize how expensive it was, but then brush it off because we're here and we might as well make the best of the situation. I buy a Stella beer for £3.45 (do the math) and start dancing. The atmosphere in the place was a lot more modern and up beat. Very different than Zoo Bar. No one there looked 16 and I didn't feel like I was in an all ages club. The music was good, trendy, house, pop, and techno. The locals dance strangely and are again content with dancing alone. I attempted to meet some British people, but they didn't seem to have any interest in meeting an American.

I did however have a blast with a few of my mates from UF. I got a chance to bond with my roommate Chris (who's from UF and is in SAE). He's a cool kid and I've been designated the "wing man." I don't think I've ever held that title, but with the messed up teeth on these bitches he's going to need all the help he can get when beer goggles blind. LOL.

We made our way upstairs to a lounge that was packed with rich Indians. Not Native Americans but Indians from India. We took over a table and this place was you typical trendy bar... red walls, dim lighting, leather couches that border the walls, small tables lit from below and deco art hanging on the wall. The music pumped loudly from the speakers above as I sat back and sipped on my Stella, which contains 5.1% alcohol here. More than the states.

Towards the end of the night I had a good buzz going and I started dancing to some house music. It was one of those times when I really got the chance to let go and didn't give a shit what people around me thought of me or how I danced. It felt good to just let go and not let my insecurities restrain me from what I wanted to do.

I discovered a balcony just off the lounge and stepped outside. The view was amazing. It overlooked the entire Leceister Square and you could see it all. I looked around and I felt so lucky, so alive, so privilege to be standing right where I was at 21 and in London. It made me smile. I wanted to remember that moment just as it was forever. I hung on to it as long as I could. That's what this experience is about.

For the remainder of the night I just went with the flow and danced. I was getting my £6 worth. It was a good night out... I had my phone and I got it out of my system. I think I'm done with the club scene for awhile while I'm here. It's too expensive. Coming back to Gainesville and paying $5 covers will be a breeze. There is however a local pub called Sports Cafe that offers students £1 pints all night long on Tuesday. So, I'll definitely hit that up on Tuesdays from here on out.

Tonight was one of those nights where I was happy to be young. One of those nights that I want to look back on when I'm 40 and think damn I was stupid when I was 21 for paying nearly $12 to get into a club, but it was a fun fucking night. I want to look back on tonight and remember that view from a top the clubs lounge and remember it for what it was worth. To me it meant being in this amazing city and having this incredible opportunity at 21.

It's been 5 days since I've been here and it still hasn't hit me that I'm in London, England. I'm one lucky son of a bitch and I couldn't be more greatful.

As for tomorrow my plans include visiting the world famous Big Ben (the clock tower you see when people mention London). It should be another picturesque event that makes me happy to be where I am. Goodnight.