6 Things I learnt from living in the UK

I spent around 10 months of my first uni year living in Newcastle UponTyne, UK, which is about 6,036 miles away from Kakinada, India. It is a drastic change because Kakinada is a laid back little town, known for its sugary sweets and calm atmosphere. Well, if you think about it, UK is also a laid-back country, known for its sugary stuff and calm atmosphere. But it was still a change because the cultures are different and the food is bland and it's always cold. So, after almost one year of living with the Geordies, here is my take on life in the Old Empire. 

1.Friendly People.

It’s a universal fact that the English are polite people, and its a fundamental rule to know your ‘please’ and ‘thank you’s. I once read in a book that a bank robbery in England had been foiled because the perp had skipped the line, prompting an old man to say, “Get back in line and wait your turn”. 

Since I lived in Newcastle, up in the North East, which is as British as it gets, I always felt like the people in the shops or the pedestrians on the road were my long lost friends, which was how they made me feel, with their ‘Hiya!’s and ‘Pretty cold innit’s. You don’t have the anxiety of memorising your order when you’re waiting in line because it’s just like talking to a good friend. 

2. Food.

Yes, I know that the food in the UK, (and maybe in the US too?) Is pretty bland, and the only things livening them up are the oriental foods. And the going gets tough when you’re religiously vegetarian. But I managed to enjoy the sweet cakes, hard candy, toffees. Lindt is a life saver. And Gregg’s Cheese and Onion Pasties have kept me from starving many a time. Pret A Manger is a staple for anyone who likes a good bagel with coffee.

I prefer making my own food at home, but when I’m too tired, I always get Chinese/oriental takeaway. And if you ever happen to be in the area and in the mood for good Chinese food, pay a visit to Amaysia in Chinatown. 

If you have dietary restrictions, like vegetarianism or if you’re a vegan, or allergic to anything, you don’t need to worry because any restaurant that claims to be English will have fries. And fries are life.

3. Coffee

I know, England is famous for tea. Hell, when I say British, the one thing that pops in your head is Queen Elizabeth with a saucer and cup of Earl Grey Tea. All of my friends in Newcastle are huge tea snobs, which makes me feel lonely because I prefer coffee, the brain juice. 

It’s not a hugely advertised fact that England has good coffee. Cafe Nero, Costa and Greggs are the living examples. The Caramel and Espresso Frappé at Cafe Nero satisfies the sugar monster in you, and also gives your caffeine fix. Costa is the ideal place when you want to have a nice pot of coffee and lounge around reading or working in the afternoons. 

[If you're interested in coffee and coffee brewing, check out my blog on brewing coffee]

4. Ah! les vues!

The Church of Durham.

Newcastle is a relatively small and laid-back town, with a mix of the old and the new. When I first came to Newcastle from London by train, I was awestruck at the enormous station, which was adorned with flags of all countries, to welcome the new batch of students for the school year. As we stepped out, the area near the Central station was full of the brick stone buildings which had quite the modern stalls, like Starbucks, or a bar or this gothic bar called Gotham. All in all, Newcastle is a myriad of the old and the new coexisting together. 

And I went to visit Durham, a nearby town, which had this famous church that was used to shoot some of the scenes in Harry Potter, mainly the one where Ron coughs up slugs. All over, it was a peaceful little place like the rest of England, though it has a past fraught with conquerors and Celtics and the Vikings. 

5. Metro. 

Haymarket Metro Station, Newcastle.

The metro in Newcastle and any other place in the UK is a Godsend. I know it might not be a big deal, but the metro is the glue that holds people’s lives together. I’ve heard that the metro in the US is more of a last resort, and India has trouble adapting to the monorail because taxis and autos run rampant in our streets, which cheaper fares. 

But I’m always amazed by the punctuality of the metro system, the way they always seem to function according to time. Come snow or hail, the metro is always there. 

  

Newcastle University

6. My Uni!!

I love Newcastle University. Its one of the few places in England to offer me the course I love. It’s got the best teachers and also super cool societies, like the 20-minute club, which is active only on Wednesdays. Let me explain. On every Wednesday, we receive a text message, with a location and a brief list of things to bring. You need to be there within 20 minutes. And they take you out on an adventure to different places.

It’s hard adjusting to life in a different country, especially when you’re just starting out in life, and the sudden change can be enough to tip your scales off balance between work and fun. But if you persist, it can be a really wonderful time indeed, learning how to look out for yourself, paying your bills, and maybe landing a good job too. Because we are all our own pioneers.

Do read my recent Blog right here