SOLE TO SOUL

Time to Go

For the past two years I have made my home Norwich.

I study here at the University of East Anglia, which believe it or not world is not that far from London – believe me! Whenever I say I go to the University of East Anglia the usual reaction is “Rahhh, that’s miles away”. Correction it’s not, I wouldn’t advise the drive but know that you can get here in 1 hour 52 minutes from Liverpool Street – direct train, easy, done!  It just sounds far!

The main reason I came to the University was the course here, for those that don’t know I study American History and English History but am more in love with the former rather than the latter. Another primary reason was believe it or not the location. I had lived in London a full 18 years before I realised I really didn’t like it. I have to be careful with my words here because there are some die hard Londoners out there but I believe we love that city for all the wrong reasons. I chose the University before I went away to live in and work in America for four months on the Camp America programme. When I came back from travelling around the states: New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii and more recently Grenada. I realised that there was much more to London! Do you realise that most Americans never leave the country and just travel state to state…? Where am I gonna go – North London and back.! I realised how small London was and at that moment embraced the reason to move away.

Now don’t get me wrong – I am not totally disowning London I will say this – it is the city that raised me, all my family live there and therefore and I can always call it home. I grew up in Fulham when it was much more nicer when the swimming pool wasn’t owned by Virgin, before they put the basketball court in Eel-brook common and before they pulled Clem Atlee down. That’s Fulham to me and I just don’t see that anymore. Every time I come home I like to play a little game and see what new buildings there are and what local business have closed down. London has changed so much. I don’t want to turn this into a piece about the knife and gun crime that goes on there, you get enough of that from the media. However, I will say this… I don’t feel safe no  more. I truly the believe the mentality of some in London is fearless, they are very focused on all the wrong things and are really not phased by the police, their parents and others.

To be honest, no where on this earth is safe and I can only comment on what I have experienced and that is London. It’s come to a point when I come home, and I feel like the outsider – the tourist.

I’m hoping my opinion on my hometown will change as this summer will be my first home in two years. We will see. I will let you know..

I went off on a tangent with this one, time to get back on.

So I live and study in Norwich but I am soon to be leaving the sanctity of the countryside for the big city – 3458 miles away in Philadelphia. My course requires that I spend a year abroad at an American University – who am I to disagree! So for me, it really is time to go.. I just booked my flight and everything is starting to sink in. Come August it will be more of a reality.

I’m looking forward to the experience no doubt as it’s always been something I wanted to accomplish. I don’t know what entirely to expect, the American school system very different and I think a step up than what I’m used to. I’m looking forward to the culture mostly and the clothes – lets be honest, I might as well go with an empty suitcase because the gear I’m hoping to buy… I’m working on a piece about some of the boutiques I want to visit when I’m out there – if my readers know of any places let me know via comment.

America, with all its faults has such a great culture. I’ve been four times in my life so far and I think the place especially New York is infectious. I leave my apartment in Brooklyn, hop on the 2 train and head into Manhattan. I like to think I blend in, in New York that is untill I open my mouth. The English accent has a power in America, the power to make everyone that hears it make you say talk some more and repeat words back after them like a machine. It’s crazy. I’m wondering whether I will come back with an American accent?

I’m ready for this experience to begin but know it’s not going to be an easy one, more than london I’m leaving a lot of people behind. You think I would be used to it working away each year for four months but the thing with camp is that you build a family out of the people around you. You can’t escape those kids or the staff so they become your support system. I know friends and family will be with me in a way while I’m over there but I am well and truly on my own. It’s going to be like starting University again, leaving home – Norwich and going to my new home Philly.

I’m excited at the prospect of all things new, I like new experiences and challenges.

It wont sink in till August but it really is time to go.