Finally... Here I’m!
Coming to UK was never in my 'to do' lists. I was working like a robot on instructions about applying for passport, applying for visa, medical tests, journeys, farewell parties, until the final moment came when I bid goodbye to my parents at the Kolkata airport at 4:15 am on 17th Oct 2008. It was a day of 'many firsts' - my first air travel, my first foreign trip, my first aerial view of earth and clouds...hmmmm...what bliss.
Coming to UK was never in my 'to do' lists. I was working like a robot on instructions about applying for passport, applying for visa, medical tests, journeys, farewell parties, until the final moment came when I bid goodbye to my parents at the Kolkata airport at 4:15 am on 17th Oct 2008. It was a day of 'many firsts' - my first air travel, my first foreign trip, my first aerial view of earth and clouds...hmmmm...what bliss.
During the eight hrs flight, I was either sleeping or eating or watching whatever silly stuff the monitor could offer me. And before I could realise, it was landing time. I was glad and shocked that I had come so far from home. There were many surprises in store. Like a curious kid, I was always pulling my window shutter up to see outside and lowering it when sunlight reflecting sharply, blacked out my vision for a while.
I know that I must not be biased, but Kolkata sure looked all dirt and gravel, and poor Ganga, she looked like a serpentine drain. London looked clean and green, just like boxes neatly arranged for transport. I remember criticising about how the wings of Air India shook while landing and I apologise for it after watching the wings in action. I was surprised watching the plane angle and move its wings just like a goliath bird.
After the plane landed, in excitement and hurry, I followed the queue as advised and found myself asking a fellow Indian passenger whether the 'bus' was taking us back to the luggage section or not? To which she replied very politely, "Girl get out soon, before you enter the flight to US!" I was a on connecting flight from Kolkata - London - New York and that was the connecting bus. 😲And the next thing I remember was I was running for my life away from the bus.
After the immigration and medical check up and baggage collection, I was all charged up to face the British cold and the UK experience. But the cold winds with the 3'o clock noon sunshine (as in India) came as a shock. It was colder than the famed Delhi winter and I was mad at myself for not wearing warm clothes.
I must say again, unlike India, things are very organised and mannerly here. Traffic is slow, just like life, as I could feel that most of the people were satisfied with their lives, barring the ubiquitous ambitious bunch. FYI-Out here, it's not rare to see a software guy, a cleaner and a retail assistant draw the same salary... :)
Anyways, let’s get back to my home now. It's a nice flat with 1bedroom, drawing room, kitchen and bathroom, all fitted with room heaters, which are godsend, just like Pepsi in Indian summers. Electric gas, wooden flooring…hmmm… I like it.
By the by, I haven’t decorated it yet, except for some fragrant candles and two flower vases.
I know that I must not be biased, but Kolkata sure looked all dirt and gravel, and poor Ganga, she looked like a serpentine drain. London looked clean and green, just like boxes neatly arranged for transport. I remember criticising about how the wings of Air India shook while landing and I apologise for it after watching the wings in action. I was surprised watching the plane angle and move its wings just like a goliath bird.
After the plane landed, in excitement and hurry, I followed the queue as advised and found myself asking a fellow Indian passenger whether the 'bus' was taking us back to the luggage section or not? To which she replied very politely, "Girl get out soon, before you enter the flight to US!" I was a on connecting flight from Kolkata - London - New York and that was the connecting bus. 😲And the next thing I remember was I was running for my life away from the bus.
After the immigration and medical check up and baggage collection, I was all charged up to face the British cold and the UK experience. But the cold winds with the 3'o clock noon sunshine (as in India) came as a shock. It was colder than the famed Delhi winter and I was mad at myself for not wearing warm clothes.
I must say again, unlike India, things are very organised and mannerly here. Traffic is slow, just like life, as I could feel that most of the people were satisfied with their lives, barring the ubiquitous ambitious bunch. FYI-Out here, it's not rare to see a software guy, a cleaner and a retail assistant draw the same salary... :)
Anyways, let’s get back to my home now. It's a nice flat with 1bedroom, drawing room, kitchen and bathroom, all fitted with room heaters, which are godsend, just like Pepsi in Indian summers. Electric gas, wooden flooring…hmmm… I like it.
By the by, I haven’t decorated it yet, except for some fragrant candles and two flower vases.
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