Back Nearly 1 Week!
#1
is finally happy
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: London! (yes!)
Posts: 195
Back Nearly 1 Week!
I'm finally back in the UK for the first time in nearly 3 years, and this time I can stay...
When I arrived back on Saturday, the sun was shining, and it was lovely and warm. I know people complain about the weather in Britain, but when there's a day like that, it's absolutely beautiful and there's nothing else like it.
The first thing that struck me was how much effort and pride went into the Olympics and Paralympics- London's changed so much since I was last here, and all for the better! There's more shops, more choices, and a great deal of national pride as a result of the massive medal haul of team GB!
It was a little strange for the first hour or so once I'd left the airport, because it had been so long since I'd seen London, or anything English for that matter, but by the second day I felt like I'd been here months already. Everything just feels right, things do what they're supposed to do and my world is working the right way up again.
I won't exaggerate: this is a city, so people aren't coming out of the woodwork to be your best friend or anything, but it's the little things. When I went to set up my student account, there was no where to sit and this lady actually moved over to give me some room on the bench without me having to ask or anything. I wasn't even looking in her direction, but she sort of nudged me and moved over. Then, although it was a bit of a wait, I was told when I'd be seen every so often so I wasn't left just waiting randomly, and when I was speaking with the banker I'd been assigned, the manager actually came over and introduced himself and told me how they like to meet all the new customers when they sign up. So nice!
Everyone I speak to in shops and things is really nice and genuine, and doesn't make me feel intimidated or strange, and when I called in for my NI number they were so patient with me (I had no idea where anything was, and had to have them spell out the addresses!). Not to mention, when I found that I couldn't make an Oct. 1 appointment but nothing else was available, they told me to call back as they get cancellations, and when I did, I was able to move up to Sept. 17! I know it's a small thing, but I just feel so welcomed and accepted here.
I actually got lost today coming back from a bit of shopping (on my own! I would/could never go shopping alone in the US but here it's no problem) and I wasn't bothered really, because I knew the station where I was, and just walked back until I found a road I knew. It's been quite easy to learn the buses and trains, and I absolutely love how I can go out without a car, buy what I want, take as long as I want, and come back when I'm ready.
The food is better! And cheaper for the most part, and I find that there's better quality in the food here as well. I'll do another update in a few more weeks as I get more used to things, but so far so good!
I'm definitely loving being back and I couldn't have done it without all the help I got on BE!
Thank you guys so much!
-Tel
When I arrived back on Saturday, the sun was shining, and it was lovely and warm. I know people complain about the weather in Britain, but when there's a day like that, it's absolutely beautiful and there's nothing else like it.
The first thing that struck me was how much effort and pride went into the Olympics and Paralympics- London's changed so much since I was last here, and all for the better! There's more shops, more choices, and a great deal of national pride as a result of the massive medal haul of team GB!
It was a little strange for the first hour or so once I'd left the airport, because it had been so long since I'd seen London, or anything English for that matter, but by the second day I felt like I'd been here months already. Everything just feels right, things do what they're supposed to do and my world is working the right way up again.
I won't exaggerate: this is a city, so people aren't coming out of the woodwork to be your best friend or anything, but it's the little things. When I went to set up my student account, there was no where to sit and this lady actually moved over to give me some room on the bench without me having to ask or anything. I wasn't even looking in her direction, but she sort of nudged me and moved over. Then, although it was a bit of a wait, I was told when I'd be seen every so often so I wasn't left just waiting randomly, and when I was speaking with the banker I'd been assigned, the manager actually came over and introduced himself and told me how they like to meet all the new customers when they sign up. So nice!
Everyone I speak to in shops and things is really nice and genuine, and doesn't make me feel intimidated or strange, and when I called in for my NI number they were so patient with me (I had no idea where anything was, and had to have them spell out the addresses!). Not to mention, when I found that I couldn't make an Oct. 1 appointment but nothing else was available, they told me to call back as they get cancellations, and when I did, I was able to move up to Sept. 17! I know it's a small thing, but I just feel so welcomed and accepted here.
I actually got lost today coming back from a bit of shopping (on my own! I would/could never go shopping alone in the US but here it's no problem) and I wasn't bothered really, because I knew the station where I was, and just walked back until I found a road I knew. It's been quite easy to learn the buses and trains, and I absolutely love how I can go out without a car, buy what I want, take as long as I want, and come back when I'm ready.
The food is better! And cheaper for the most part, and I find that there's better quality in the food here as well. I'll do another update in a few more weeks as I get more used to things, but so far so good!
I'm definitely loving being back and I couldn't have done it without all the help I got on BE!
Thank you guys so much!
-Tel
#3
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Tel 8, glad to hear that things are going well. Look forward to hearing more from you as time goes on.
#4
Banned
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: UK now, Australia in 2014
Posts: 1,000
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
When the suns out there's no better place in the world than the UK, sitting outside in a beer garden, or having a barbecue, or going for walk in the countryside. All the best mate.
#6
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Tel8!
So good to hear from you. Glad everything is going well. Can't wait to hear more. Congrats on the move back home. Hope to join you soon
So good to hear from you. Glad everything is going well. Can't wait to hear more. Congrats on the move back home. Hope to join you soon
#7
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Yay.
Please to hear you are settling in. Good luck with your uni course. Thanks for taking the time to update us. Don't forget about us will you?
Please to hear you are settling in. Good luck with your uni course. Thanks for taking the time to update us. Don't forget about us will you?
#9
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Glad to hear you're settling in and don't forget - Downton at 9pm tomorrow night
#10
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Great update, all sounds very positive and I'm so happy for you that everyone has been nice and friendly!
#12
Back home at last!
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: UK to AUS to USA, now home in UK
Posts: 259
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
So glad to hear all is going well so far
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Great to hear you're doing so well
#14
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
thanks for the update. It's so nice being able to walk to and from the shops and not have to hop in the car. When I was back for 3 months I really enjoyed not having to have a car. Glad things are going well for you and thanks for the update.
#15
Re: Back Nearly 1 Week!
Glad to hear that you have slipped right back into your life here. Isn't that a grand feeling!