Here we are, moving into week four in London. So far, I’ve experienced the sketchy parts of town, getting lost on new route to a familiar place, and having drinks at a pub down the block from my flat. In this semester, I have classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This gives me four days per week to explore London and myself, with some exceptions while we travel as a class to different locations (Stonehenge and Bath this weekend – super excited!!). This gives me plenty of time to do things with my friends and with my girlfriend. For example, on Friday night, my fraternity brother Nathan and I are going to a Magic: The Gathering pre-release event for the new fall block of cards. I had a serious interest with trading card and table top games for a long time, and Magic was at the top of my list. Luckily, Nathan is also my roommate, so he’s been helping me bring this passion back into full swing. Following Friday, I will travel to Stonehenge and Bath with my classmates. Finally, on Sunday, I’ll relax before heading to Camden on Monday to get the tattoo that I’ve been obsessing about for nearly three years now.
You did indeed hear (read) that correctly. I’ve opted to go crazy and get a tattoo while I’m in London. I’ve already found the parlor and put down a deposit. Now, I just need the proper image and see if the artist doing the tattoo will be flexible enough to make some last minute adjustments. I have the feeling that they will be, considering they offered to give me the tattoo on the same day that I was just trying to make my appointment. It’s a very clean place, and I even had to sign a contract stating that I was making this decision consciously and giving the artist consent to permanently mark my body with the image of my choosing. The place received several five star reviews from patrons who received tattoos, several of them receiving their first tattoo at this parlor which was more comforting than anything. Here’s the fun part. I made the incredibly intelligent decision to share this news on Facebook. I was met with comments of celebration, but then with comments fueled with skepticism and unnecessary concern – one addressing health and safety concerns of a foreign country. I’m not judging these comments, as everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, I just wish I was given more credit for my research into different tattoo parlors in London. There are places with incredible artists that get awful reviews because the people are jerks and everything is overpriced, and there are also places that get horrible reviews but have artists with excellent personalities. I’ve found a place that is the best of both worlds. The tattoo artists do an excellent job, everything is clean and professional. It just amazes me that people are so concerned about this when I’m in a country that is just as advanced as the one I’m coming from. I was met with responses that I would have if someone told me they got a tattoo from an artist on the street who sketched the design on cardboard before transferring it to the person’s skin. It’s been bothering me for a couple of days, simply because other people have shown such extreme anxiety about it. However, I am sound with my decision and choice for this parlor, and I am committing to getting this tattoo. I go on the 22nd of September, and I couldn’t be more excited.