Juneflower - My English Connection

It has been a refreshing month and a half at the UK and I have pretty much reached a point in time where I can look back.

As I flew into Manchester airport in late July, I was ushered into this rather non descript place called Rotherham. A smallish city or a town I’d say. At first I was taken aback at the quaintness of this place – no air conditioners in one of the most expensive hotels, radiators jutting out of walls as if they were an afterthought, table fans in rooms and the sheer lack of populace! However I was amazed by the lush greenery, late sunsets, English houses with beautiful gardens and fountains and the tranquillity that I had been craving for so long.

Just three days into peace and quiet when I was rushed to London on work (the very reason that brought me here). I was staying in the choicest of places – near the Tower Bridge on the banks of the Thames. This place became my favourite hangout and I simply loved everything to do with it - long walks on the pathways, simply sitting and watching the river glisten under sun rays, witnessing the spectacle of the bridge opening and making way for a tall ship to sail through unhindered. Come weekend and I did the touristy thing – visiting Madame Tussauds (needs no introduction), Guitar Town (interesting fact: this public exhibition of creatively painted guitars brings together many of Britain’s musicians and visual artists as part of a unique charity campaign) and Oxford Street (shopping and Govinda restaurant). Brick Lane which was a few bricks’ throw away hosted a deluge of Bangladeshi restaurants which made my tummy happy. I managed to visit Hyde Park and Millenium bridge as well. A great part London is made up of water and a greater fraction covered with parks!

The second time, I happened to visit West India Quay by making a journey through a Dockland Railway train. Canary Wharf was enticing – several top companies are headquartered here. Plus there was a massive shopping mall and theatres too.

I have seen some buildings in curious shapes in London – some dome like structures; some with the top sliced off, some with layered facades. The Gherkin is a classic example. A BBC article describes it thus:

‘In the initial stages of construction, its curved skeleton could only be glimpsed between the buildings crowding the City's tangled streets. But as it stretched skyward, it crested the packed skyline.
From this glazed tower, the capital spreads out beneath your feet. And just as those inside look out at London, London looks back.
For it can be seen from far and wide, its blue cigar-like shape providing a sharp contrast as it rises above box-like office blocks and familiar sights such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral.’

Having set up base in Sheffield, I look forward to my London trips now. Sheffield is big in itself – I particularly liked strolling through the Meadow Hall shopping centre which was vast and offered a varied range of shops to suit all budgets. I look forward to Sheffield markets and children’s attractions on Saturdays (some of my friends are right when they tell me I am still a kid!)

The last weekend in London was the most fun filled one. Covent Gardens offered shopping opportunity at the Apple Market, street entertainment and music of several flavours. I enjoyed a fun filled time with friends – singing, laughing and talking. A trip to Valentine Park, Ilford marked the end of a truly memorable day.

I am looking forward to more fun in this beautiful country – and beyond. I have been seeing new places, experiencing a new culture and meeting absolutely endearing people. Some of the moments that I have spent here have been subconsciously etched into the pages of my memory book. I am glad I came!

A few captured memories can be found at http://flickr.com/photos/nomadicbliss/sets/72157602001128846/detail/.