We are in a massive coach with another tailing us carrying excess luggage. As we remove our belongings, a group of RAs (or CAs) come to us. This is the start of Queen Mary and my official London experience.
The preceding days, we stayed in Herne Bay, also known as the sunniest place in England, right on the Thames Estuary. My flatmate and I stayed with this sweet older couple, Heather and John, for three days. They have lived in Herne Bay for their entire lives and have been hosting students on and off for 30 years. Considering this was my first home-stay experience I wasn’t sure what to expect, but John and Heather were wonderful. Even though they did not show us Herne Bay and the surrounding areas, I still had a wonderful time.
Left up to one’s own devices in Herne Bay was not the most exciting thing. It was nice to see the bay and those six donuts for 1.80 quid went a long way, but I only wished we had done something more noteworthy. As a coastal city, Herne Bay can be likened to the Florida of England, especially with its copious amounts of old people.
It was nice to get away for a while and experience “true” England and not cosmopolitan, worldly London. We were able to take a day trip to Canterbury and I was pleasantly surprised by the bus driver’s skill while driving through the narrow streets of Kent.* Canterbury seemed to be a town that rose out of the clouds; it suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The cathedral was gorgeous and well worth the seven pounds. I had my first taste of Cornish pastries, which are utterly delicious (you need to try one).
Canterbury is a town of many juxtapositions. An H&M lies only feet away from cobblestone streets that are as old as the city. A modern car park lies outside the gates of the ancient city. Knowing that this city was heavily damaged by the Blitzkrieg gives meaning to the juxtaposition. London is similar to Canterbury in that sense, a city rising from the ashes of its past and living strongly in the present.
Arriving in London again, those previous feelings of apprehension vanished. I have taken time out to see the city. Yes, the tourists spots, but also where the locals go. The savory smell of masala and curry from Brick Lane eateries, the markets of Mile End, cultural festivals in Trafalgar Square, the rush hour traffic in the city and the like. I have only been here for two weeks and still have so much more to see. I am afraid I won’t see it all.
Something about London seems both familiar and foreign. Maybe it is the similarities to New York City that allow me to feel as though I belong. Who knows? But by the end of my three months, I hope I find an answer.
*On a slight tangent, English driving perplexes me. I am totally comfortable with the whole driving on the left side of the road, but when I see people speeding down the narrowest two-lane street known to man and not collide with oncoming traffic, I am simply stunned. Oh, and apparently not many drivers stop for pedestrians, as evidenced by multiple people almost getting run over by taxis and buses.
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