This post is a long time coming and I’ve finally found time to jot down my thoughts. If you’ve read our previous post, you’ll know about our struggle to get my visa. So this post is what followed and my love hate relationship with London.
It seems like a blur now when I think about what was going through my mind when I got onto the flight to London. It was such an emotional moment; my cousins, parents and in-laws came to see us off and it felt like I was leaving a safe haven to step into the unknown.
When I sat in the flight, I didn’t know what the future held, all I knew was I was starting over. I was excited that I was starting a family of my own with my loving husband, but the fear of being away from ‘home’ is an inexplicable feeling. Seeing my mum control her tears and my dad trying to hide his sadness is a memory that’ll linger always. I have a lump in my throat as I wrote this; it’s just too hard to say bye to your loved ones.
When I landed in London, I was still too numb to process what was happening. It took me a couple of days to digest the fact I was in a different country. Though London is not the most charming city, I love how there’s so much character to it. Everything is so picturesque and instagram-worthy. I love the buzz of rush hour and the maze-like tube system. Though I initially hated the quiet neighbourhoods, I’ve come to enjoy them because I can hear the gushing sound of winds, birds chirping and the swoosh of trees in HD clarity.
Most of London is still wonderfully lush and is not a concrete jungle like New York. One thing I still miss is the convenience of tuk-tuks, the transport system here is like a puzzle. You can’t get to a place without traversing through all of London’s transport system. Too tedious, but it’s great for people watching though. I finally get why people here always talk about the weather. Never have I used the weather app as much as I’ve used it after coming here. If you step out without checking the weather, you either run the risk of getting to work completely drenched or with your dress billowing in the wind and exposing a little too much. Ask me, I’ve experienced it. A handy tip is to always carry a pair of tights and umbrella to combat London’s moody weather.
Come rain or sunshine, Londoners definitely dress with flair. Though blacks and greys are the most preferred colours, they certainly do know how to dress chic. London is a potpourri of culture that has a lot to offer, but one thing that disappoints me is how difficult it has been to get my first big break. Hopefully that’ll change soon! Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
