I’ve been in London just over two months now and sadly work is not coming as thick and fast as I’d hoped which means it’s probably time to move on. In truth, I find that as soon as I stay somewhere for more than a few weeks, I start to settle and that’s when homesickness strikes. After seven months away, I feel the distance between my friends and family more acutely than ever. While I enjoy the thrill of new places and new people, I can’t shake the feeling that this is all quite transient and that my real place … is home.
This is not however, a poor reflection on London or the people I’ve met here. I have been so exceedingly fortunate to have such a wonderful place to live and to have met some wonderful, generous people. I am overwhelmed with the entertainment on offer here, especially in the summer, and have made every effort to sample as much as my energy and budget will allow. Theatre is the highest on my ‘must see’ list, with museums and galleries a close second. I’ve also been lucky enough to catch some free concerts in the park and observe first hand the mayhem of the summer sales. If anyone wants to see true shopping frenzy, visit Primark – any day of the week but Saturday is particularly frantic.
I’ve resisted the sales as best I can – I can’t afford it and for everything I buy, I know that I have to get rid of something I already have, such is the nature of traveling. I did cave in one day and splurged on a pair of sandals – you can take the girl outta North Queensland but you can’t take North Queensland outta the girl! I’m sure I’ll only get to wear these sandals here for the next couple of weeks but these are definitely coming home with me!
I still can’t get over the fact that here in London in summer it’s still colder than home which is currently in winter. One day I had the interesting experience of overhearing a Londoner talking about what a beautifully warm day it was at 23°c and then, talking to a friend back home, about what a chilly winter day it was at 23°c – everything is relative!
