Tom, who joined Adam, Jamie and I on our trip, lives up the street. So I am able to see him often as well.
In addition I have met Amy, Adam's sister, and her fiancé Joe who is a really nice guy. Joe and Adam run a car recovery and moving business together.
Jamie is back in Newcastle, but will be traveling to London this coming weekend. Adam and my plan is to meet him there.
My time in the U.K. has been relaxed which is good. Traveling throughout Europe was beyond fun and exciting, but even a 23 year old like myself enjoys a few days off.
We are currently staying at Adam's parent's house in Prestwich. Prestwich is a suburb of Manchester.
Considering its the morning of the 21st and we have plans for the day I am going to structure this blog as I do when out of time. I'll list the important things. I would rather write them out in a nice smooth way, but time is of the essence my friends. I have to book a hostel and ferry ride to Ireland soon as well.
So...here are a few things I have noticed:
• The $1 Bill
Throughout my travels I have continuously searched for a one dollar bill like we have in the U.S. I have been unsuccessful. Simply put, the $1 bill is awesome. It makes life so much better. The smallest bill most countries over here have is the 5. Therefore, you always have tons of change. I have new appreciation for the $1 bill and look forward to being able to use my own currency soon.
• York
After reaching Manchester we headed to York to drop Jamie off. He is from Newcastle, but had a meeting in York. The Yorkshire is wonderful. A small, cute and fun English town. It has everything you need on three main streets. York is the old one and I am sure you all know where the new on is. It was fun to see the town that inspired the U.S.'s most popular one. York, Great Britain looks nothing like New York.
• Fish and Chips
I am not one who needs to try all sorts of food while abroad. Don't get me wrong, I love doing so, but I'm not very picky. I like experiences more than food. However, with that being said, I did have some fish and chips which is a staple here in Britain. They are delicious and the curry sauce poured on top is heavenly.
• The American Accent
When I was younger I remember hating the British accent because all the girls loved it. Like, what the Hell, man? Ha, anyways, now I am getting the redemption I have always sought. Girls (well, everyone) here love the American accent. It is funny because I'll be walking down the street and speaking with my friends and all the heads turn my way. I may have come to a first world country, but I am still not home.
• James Bond
I thought it was funny that the first thing I see on British TV is James Bond. The only more British thing that could top that is Harry Potter. The houses here look as if they are from Harry Potter so that was already covered.
• British Slang
The one thing I have found difficult, but great is the slang terms each person uses here. I have mentioned this before, but it really is apparent. I feel as if we don't have as much slang (common slang) as them. A few great ones are when speaking about getting a drink of beer everyone refers to it as getting a pint. As if the smallest amount of beer one can drink in a sitting is a pint. Too funny. In addition, they say "that's a good shout" when referring to a good idea or thought. This phrase is quite common after suggesting that everyone gets a pint 😄👍🏼
• Teeth
Going along with the slang topic, while I was at the Notre Dame in Paris my friend Inna and I had a picture together. Tom was also in the picture. One comment was how happy she was (being a Ukrainian girl) to have a Brit and American on either side of her. The Ukrainian girls dream. Ha, the other comment was on the full American smile. We laughed and Adam said, "Oh yeah, those Americans are the only ones you'll find with a full set of gnashers!" I laughed because of the use of the word gnashers and also because it's actually true.
I have begun to notice that oral health and hygiene seems to lack a bit here. I expected it in Africa because they don't have access to a dentist, but even in Europe it isn't to the standard of America. Not that I'm knocking the U.K., but it is noticeable.
• Interested in America
While in Africa I was asked a lot about America and how life was over there. These routine questions have not stopped just because I have come to Europe. In fact, I am asked about America a lot. It's fun and I don't mind, but just as there are things we don't know about Europe there are many things they don't know or understand about America. It's nice to learn and teach at the same time.
• Noticing More
One major thing I have noticed while here in Europe is that I notice more. I was strolling through downtown Manchester the other day alone (Adam was on a job) and it was great, but a bit overwhelming. I know I haven't been out of the game for a super long time, but even a year affects you a bit.
In the village there are a few people, moving slowly, maybe one or two cars and huts. In the city there are thousands of cars, even more people, tons of noise from police sirens to people yelling, everything is moving fast and everything is at your disposal.
I felt a bit lost almost. I was waiting to cross at an intersection and struggled doing so a bit because of all the commotion around me. One obviously wants to make sure they won't be hit by a car as they cross so I was looking and I found it tough with all the lights, people passing by and noise.
Things you never notice before are very apparent now. In addition, I notice people more. Everyone is in their own head, has their headphones in and passing by without noticing the person next to them. That's normal, but now I notice myself seeing them more and more. All these people. I notice the elderly woman trying to squeeze her way through a group of business men walking down the street, I see the homeless sleeping or laying at the corner, I see the large Coca-Cola advertisements protruding from every building, I see the 15 year olds who are wannabe thugs lean against the side of a wall, I see the smoke billowing from the tops of buildings and I see how many people actually still smoke cigarettes (there are a lot which is absolutely nuts). Things you tend to miss when running to your next appointment or caught up in your own thoughts are evident.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand being caught up with what you are doing and wanting to complete all of your tasks as quickly as possible. I am the same. However, I just found this bit interesting considering I haven't been in this situation for some time.
There really is a lot going on around us. Sometimes all you have to do is listen and open your eyes.
Well, folks, that's all for now. I better get out of bed and start searching for ferries to cross from the U.K. to Ireland. I will be able to dock in Dublin, the capital city. My stay in Ireland will not be long and I was hoping for more time, but there is much to do.
I plan to head to Wales with Adam this week. We will spend a few days there and this is when I'll take the solo voyage across the great sea (okay, it's quite a short voyage) to Dublin. I'll find a hostel to stay at while in the city. After researching I have found there is a ton to do there. It will be fun.
Then, afterwards, I'll head back and with Adam I'll come back to Manchester. Then we will head to London for the weekend with Jamie. We will need to come back to Manchester before my flight out, but that's okay. On June 3rd I fly home to Minnesota. That is the plan as it stands now. I'll keep you updated.
I am soon to be off to the motherland (get it, my mother's family comes from Ireland) haha...oh God, I need help.
Thankfully I'll be home soon.
Thanks for reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment