We’ve Arrived–and Learnt 5 Lessons from the UK!

Whew!  In three weeks I’ve been to Manchester, Leeds, York, London, and tomorrow I’m off to Cambridge. I’ve managed to register for class and meet with a hard-working group of volunteers in London who will assist in my wiki research. My wife, Shannon, flew into action as soon as we landed, registering our three kids for class, finding a permanent home, and setting up our lifestyle here in the UK.

You really can’t imagine the wild ride of immigrating a family of five until you actually give it a whirl. The project plan has more overlapping bars than I care to admit.

But on to the first three of my five lessons from the UK!

 

One: Everything in England Seems Astonishingly Local

 

 

I’m not a huge walker, even though I love a good long distance run. Driving offers such a great amount of freedom and power that I considered the very act vital to who I am. That’s right: considered. Here in the UK, whether in London, Leeds, or the little town of Caverley where our new house is located–your legs can take you everywhere. Grocery stores, pubs, costume shops (they’re fancy dress shops here) all wait just a block or two away.

My prime example: After a day trip to London, I walked from the downtown rail station in Leeds, past the University, and on to the outlying town we’re staying at until the 7th in about 50 minutes.  The bus could have done it in about 20. 

 

Two: Food and Music Ease the Transition

 

The kids love fish and chips; they’re a bit less keen on English corned beef. However, when you’re family gets a bit overwhelms by all the changes from North America to Europe, just inject a little States into the mix.

Sure, learning to call Brussels sprouts by the local term button sprouts can take time. So I’ll splurge a bit here and there to make some stuffed bell peppers or fudge a decent BBQ. For goodness sakes, go down and find an actual coffee maker at Wilkinson’s or a similar store.  Tea kettles should be used for tea, not coffee. And there’s nothing wrong with walking around campus listening to a bit of Creedence.

 

 

Three: Enjoy the History

 

Wherever you go, just take the time to love what you can. From the London Underground to the Jorvik viking excavations to competitive jousting at the Royal Armories Museum–it’s just been an amazing three weeks. That doesn’t even touch upon the scores of wonderful people I can’t wait to tell you about!

 



One Response to “We’ve Arrived–and Learnt 5 Lessons from the UK!”

1. Jan Payne says:

   September 19, 2009 at 12:50 pm

   I enjoy all your postings! Keep it up. It looks like a few of your photo titles got switched around.