So how does it feel being back in London? Not so bad really. I don't want to live here any more, but working here for a bit feels ok when I know that I have my home in the country waiting for me! The thing that has always got me about living in London has been the sheer quantity of people and that will never change. I don't suppose anyone really likes pushing onto a crowded train and standing nose to armpit with someone, but some people seem to accept it as something they have to put up with. I suppose I could never really accept that. The amount of times I have let 2 or 3 tubes go by because I refuse to squash, you wouldn't believe. So yes, the worst bit for me has always been the crowds, with particular reference to public transport. The difference I notice massively is kindness. Now, obviously there are plenty of kind people here, but I mean general kind to a stranger sort of niceness. It is very lacking here. Where everyone says hello or stops for a chat where I live, very few people even make eye contact here. I suppose it's big city complex or some such thing.
1 week down, 7 to go.
Hi Dan.
ReplyDeleteCrowds in cities can make you feel clostraphobic. I don`t even like to go into Brighton because of it. And the general uncaring
and couldn`t be bothered attitude of most city folk is not nice, either. Out in the countryside where the pace of life is slower you find a warmer friendliness as folk have more time to chat, to say hello. Also, in the countryside people used to care more as they relied upon each other for support. This type of attitude doesn`t seem to have changed much, there. So, make the most of it when you return home.
Chin up. It's all for the best in the end. Grit your teeth, smile, and think of your lovely cottage. Have you found a nice room to let while you're in London? Or something less charming...? Hope, at least, you are comfortable for the duration.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you 'in' at the mo? Which character are you?
ReplyDelete1/8 of the way there and next week you will be 1/4 of the way there. I suppose you wouldn't want to chat to thousands of people in London. There wouldn't be much time to do anything else! Keep smiling and thinking about your little spot in the country.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
It will fly by and you will soon be back home "up north", hope work goes well cx
ReplyDeleteSoon you will be back to your country place and enjoy the quiet!
ReplyDeleteSarina: You are right, it is very claustrophobic here, that is the problem.
ReplyDeleteKris: I'm staying with a very good and kind friend, so I am in good company - it keeps me sane.
FQ: I am singing Papageno in The Magic Flute, opening at the London South Bank on 14th May. A fantastic part that I love singing.
Mum: It is easy when you know that you have somewhere lovely to escape to at the end.
Frugal up North: It is already flying by. I would love to come home for a weekend though, sadly I have been working Saturday this week and next, but at least it saves me from spending lots on transport home.
Tonya, I can't wait, it is a like my little piece of paradise.
Sounds like you've made the right choice to me!
ReplyDeleteSeems like you've got the best of both worlds, as you can make enough money to afford to live the dream.
So you'll be back 'home' for the summer. :)
Sft x
I loved to the west country after living in Surrey and had to go to London recently and go on tubes and the train and I found the tube trip pretty horrendous- everyone pushing and squashing to get in- getting stuck and the doors were closing on people. I was so glad to get home- it wasn't an experience I'm keen to repeat! Hope you get home soon :)
ReplyDeleteIt's the perfect balance, it lets you fund your dream, and you know you have your place waiting for you. I know right now we do the same, we live in the city and go to our jobs and it lets us fund our dream.
ReplyDeleteDo like I do, spend your spare time day dreaming about what you want to do out there at your place in the country. If you have internet connection look up ideas for future gardens and plants you want to grow and things you want to do. It's a fun way to keep your mind off of the city life, ha.
I agree with you 100%! I lived in London for a year as part of my degree, and it was such a shock to the system. I mean I'm a bit of a bumpkin as it is (Cornish!), but London is a very cold place. It's exciting, and there's a lot to do, but the people are so distant from one another. If you make eye contact with someone on the tube, it's almost like you should hang your head in shame for daring to have human contact!
ReplyDeleteI went to Uni in Cardiff, and although it's a big city it is completely different. The people are a lot more friendly. Maybe I just felt more at home in another Celtic land, I dunno!
I really enjoyed my year in London, but I definitely wouldn't want to live there forever. You're better to live where you do and have the option to visit every now and again! Best of both worlds!
hi
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