I'm currently spending my summer vacation in the UK. I'm here until the week before uni starts next year in February, so here's to a whole three months of fish and chips, snow, and fun
So far my holidays have been extremely relaxing- in fact, I can't remember the last time I've felt like there truly are 24 hours in a day, and that each hour consists of 60 whole minutes.
That's an equivalent of two Modern Family episodes plus Facebook stalking time!
Life is good when you do not have to think about exams, and drawing graphs that do not look like a six year old's depiction of a kitchen.
It's been a little over a week now since I arrived in the UK, and I've noticed a great number of things that are unfortunately not too pleasing. For one- I expected there to be a countless number of red telephone boxes, just littered everywhere. In the little "county" I'm staying in- I've only found one! I think the Brits have lost all sense of national identity...
Something that has remained rather consistent with all the stereotypes about the UK is definitely the weather. It hasn't been extremely kind- in fact, its cloudy most of the time, with no signs of blue sky. I've also discovered that the gloomy weather is considered the norm here. I can't really complain about the weather in Durham though, because whilst waiting in Heathrow Airport for my stopover to Newcastle International Airport, the fog outside was overwhelmingly disturbing. I could barely see anything outside the windows, and going outside was genuinely a challenge to breathe properly for the first hour or two.
Combined with the jetlag, change in weather, and loss of appetite and sleep, I fell sick in the first few days of my stay here in the UK.
Amongst other uncultured observations, I've found that there isn't a Doctor Who shop conveniently located on every shopping street. To make matters even worse- I haven't yet seen any Who merchandise at all!
The only merchandise I've seen are two posters in R's room. Which sucks to say the least, because I thought I'd dress up as a Tardis/I Love David Tennant T shirts while I was here in the UK.
Capitalism has surely failed in these parts of the UK.
My plans to be an embarrassing foreigner have also failed accordingly, although being the only Asian who stands around and takes pictures of fat ducks on the street might possibly be an indication that I'm a visitor.
I'm by myself most of the time during the day, and I've found myself exploring parts of the town alone, with my hipster digital camera and backpack. Just the other day I sent a few care packages back home to Kiwiland, and wrote a dozen postcards to friends. Inevitably, I am a bit homesick because I spend so much time on my own. I do miss home, and in particular my family and friends.
Regardless, it's quite nice taking the time out to truly reflect on the year's events.
The marketplace itself is lovely, and so is the castle and the cathedral. The Lumiere Festival, which is the largest light festival in the UK is held in Durham this year, which I've had the pleasure of attending a few nights ago emphasized the scenery beautifully. Unfortunately my camera was inadequate in taking night time photos, but I'll possibly use R's camera to take a few tonight.
It's also quite lovely to walk throughout the market square and talk to the locals about various things to do around Durham. Whilst shopping for my care packages I came across a lovely little sweets shop, and I spent a good hour or two chatting away to the shopkeeper about making chocolates and fudge. I learned that the key ingredients in making chocolate is good quality butter, and low heat. I was quite confused as to why good quality cocoa was not mentioned.
Although a few friends back home are quite self conscious about their waist lines, I must insist that they try some because having a sample of the chocolate fudge made me drool throughout the day.
Also- UK candies are really quite a treat! Although they looked awfully sweet and sugary, (and no doubt they really are filled with sugar), its delightful nonetheless.
I struggled to find cute postcards to send home, so I mostly wrote letters instead. Perhaps I'm too picky about postcards though. Can't be too fussy if they only cost less than 90p for one! So whilst sitting in what seems to be the Starbucks of UK (it's called Cafe Nero? I have no idea. Thought it better to try sitting here than in Esquires or Starbucks anyhow), I had the most sinful and expensive cup of coffee to date, and wrote soppy emotional letters back home. Yes, I received many judgmental and confused looks from everyone around me as I took photos of my cup of coffee. I realise that it is just a cup of coffee, but being a tourist, I'm obligated to take photos of the rubbish bin as well.
Things that have been confusing as of late? This:
What does "franked" mean? I'm assuming its only going to accept mail from people with the name Frank, or people that have been associated with a rather frank person. Again, many judgmental looks from passerby's as I stood in the middle of the pathway and snapped a picture.
Apart from being by myself, I've tagged along with R to his college formal dinner. The uni lifestyle here is vastly different to the one in Auckland Uni. Admittedly, much better too. There's a sense of community here that UoA somehow lacks. I suspect it is also because less than a quarter of the students in UoA live in dorms, and due to the sheer size of Auckland, the chances of a successful, collective turn out to any event are slim.
It's a traditional dinner in which there are many, MANY rules to abide by. It's an excuse to drink a lot of wine, in the shortest amount of time possible only for the mere cost of 4 pounds. The headmasters/dean of the university also attend, and they physically will hand out fines to those who apparently talk too loud. Which seems rather unfair, because large quantities of alcohol will entail yelling at some point or rather.
Not that I received a fine or anything. ;)
I also had to wear a gown. Throughout the evening, I kept referring to it as a robe, but I now know that it is not bathroom attire, but rather very formal and posh attire that is non optional to wear to these dinner things.
I borrowed one of R's friends' gowns to wear, and it was embarrassingly long on me. Everyone here is taller than I expected- at least in New Zealand, I was average.
Here I'm some sort of midget that takes really mediocre photographs of red phone boxes.
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| The Boathouse is actually a club! Isn't it cute? |
I've been clubbing twice since my arrival to the UK. Important difference to note: clubbing here is so much more chill than in New Zealand! But I'm fairly certain it's because it's a much smaller town than Auckland. In London, there is no doubt it will be even more of a hassle to go clubbing.
My verdict? Clubbing isn't great- anywhere in the world. When I tried going clubbing in Japan with my friend, I still struggled to develop any sort of love for it.
Besides, we all know that deep down, staying at home with a good cup of hot chocolate and a movie beats putting up with pervy glances, and having drinks spilled all over you by creepy and creepier.
All in all, Durham is a very lovely place to visit. It's filled with extremely lazy days, and combined with the weather and close proximity of chops and restaurants, the local atmosphere is comforting for someone that has continually lived in a large city most of her life.
I would encourage any of you that plan to come to the UK to come visit for a day. The sights are breathtakingly beautiful, and the atmosphere is really quite unique.
However, I wouldn't make it a priority over London for example. Simply because you might be disappointed to find only one telephone box in the whole of Durham, whereas I'm sure London has a few thousand red telephone boxes scattered on every street corner as a marketing ploy for tourists and the like.
Take care, have a brilliant summer.
I'll remember to keep warm throughout mine- falling sick once was horrid enough.
Hopefully I will write at least a dozen blog entries throughout my stay here in the UK. I'm not sure if I can generate enough interesting content though.. (considering the nature of this blog entry, I'm positive most of you have given up trying to read by the second sentence in)..because I'm not here for a study exchange or anything- just visiting friends and spending time with R.
Bleh :)
All my love always,
April
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