Let me tell you about the area around Paddington Station. A part from being one of the 3 biggest stations in London (with Pancreas and Victoria), it is very well located to reach the centre. Busses go to Picadilly Circus via Marble Arch and Oxford Street, to the West via Notting Hill, towards Big Ben and Knightsbridge etc.
It also offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and more importantly (well, at least for me at this stage) several internet cafes. I found mine by chance, 10 steps next to the Tube entry Paddington, small upstairs but quite big and still cosy downstairs.
I didn't count the hours I spent down there, sat in front of the computer, browsing jobadverts, saving my CV on every jobpage I could find, answering and writing emails and last but not least drinking countless Cappuccinos - the best in town I have to say! It was also my first regular contact, as the guy at the desk knew me quite quickly and used to bring me a Cappuccino without me having to ask for it.
I remember this place vividly, even the smell of fresh grounded coffee mixed with the somehow burned scent of about 30 pcs running. I would have my first really exciting news about jobinterviews in there, I would also get some bad news from home or about jobs in there. It was just a place but a really important one.
Then there was the Angus Steak House were I did enjoy many rare steaks with fries and mayonnaise - not the healthiest option but definetely falling under the cathegory "comfort food".
Just as important was the Cafe Nero in the morning for a nice Espresso or Latte or in the afternoon for a quick read through the papers and a blueberry muffin.
The Italian place with the best Spaghetti Carbonara in town (really!) and the most charming italian waiters was another delight to go to.
Somehow, Paddington and neighbourhood was my home for the first months, even after I moved into my flat in Sheperds Bush I still went to this Internet Cafe - one likes what one's used to.
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