Here I am, fresh off the boat, on the other side of the pond, and though I’ve only been here a couple weeks, I’ve had time to observe this curious land and notice a few fundamental differences. It’s amazing that we speak the same language, the Brits and I (though they would be quick to remind me, in their teasing ways, that theirs is the true English, which we borrowed long ago and since bastardized) but we are truly a different species.
Things I’ve learned since arriving in London:
- The light is different here — quite different from the light in Paris, Montreal, Rome and Barcelona. Barcelona is zesty, as if a citrus mist or a thin veil of golden pollen hangs in the air. Italy bathes in honey apricot liquid light. Paris is less porous, less airy. It exhales in brown, in a way that suggests a soupcon of sepia. California’s sun is strait out of the cyan seventies. London’s light feels like the same light that was there three hundred years ago. A light from another time. A light dipped in silver then draped over the buildings and parks and streets. It has a steel hue to it, a blue tint, a hint of flint. It is a dozen shades of gray even on a sunny day. A friend recently mentioned that there is nothing quite like the light of an English midsummer’s eve and I would have to wholeheartedly agree.
- My shoe size. I wear a size 6 here. That is not to say that my feet have shrunk but it does give that illusion, yes?
- The house keys — big, solid, brass, treasure-like keys. Honestly, whenever I use them, I feel like I’m unlocking some secret door and that I’m about to enter another world. One where elves and fairies might live.
- A 3 dollar umbrella is well worth the purchase no matter one’s aversion to umbrellas.
- There is always something going on in London. Always.
- Which is why I can’t quite get over the fact that they ring the bell for last call at 11pm. Back in Canada, people only start going out at 11pm.
- The roads are something else here. They go every which way, a bit like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. I’m used to quadrants, roads that generally run parallel and perpendicular and I’ve been turned around more than once in this city. I have never been so grateful for the GPS on my phone and have a whole new appreciation for maps.
- One can actually get homesick even when they’ve wanted to move to another country for so long.
- Finding a new park to run in cures home sicknesses (as do ducklings and puppies).
- They don’t vacuum here, they Hoover. Pucker means something that is awesome. Ring us later is the equivalent of give me a call. I much prefer going to the loo than using the washroom. And when someone asks if I’m alright, it is not a question of concern. Here, they simply mean “How are you?” and one needn’t fret and reply “Yes, I’m fine. Why? Do I not look OK? Do you think I’m having a horrible time? Do I look ill?”
- You can’t find hummus at the corner store, but there are 25 different kinds of bacon.
- There is a reason for the “Look left” and “Look right” signs painted on the streets. Without them, I would have surely been run over by now. It’s not that I’m daft but when you’re used to people driving on the right hand side of the road, it’s habitual to look a certain way before crossing the street (even though your mama taught you to look both sides).
- The Brits and French Canadians agree on one thing — baked beans for breakfast are a good thing.
- The windowsills in London are massive and there are potted plants everywhere. I imagine that has much to do with the lack of backyard space but it’s nice to see people making the most with what they have and creating green spaces where they can.
- The sidewalks are booby traps. I’ve tripped more times than I can count since I’ve been here.
- The money, naturally, is different. I’m still trying to figure out the purpose of a 2 cent coin and why it is bigger than the 20 cent coin. It’s doing my head in a little and I find myself looking like the little old lady that counts her change at the grocery counter and holds up the queue. It’s those little things that come by so naturally back home. You don’t have to think when you’re looking for a quarter, you know exactly what it looks like.
I believe it’s in our nature to resist change. But with change comes growth and isn’t that why we are here? I am trying to fit into this new culture, adapting to its subtleties while at the same time accepting that we are different and honouring those differences. I know I’m going to have melancholy moments and crave a poutine eventually and miss the rooftops of Montreal and the streets that I knew so well and the friends that know me so well and I’ll probably whine about the way they do things here on occasion but for now, I’m learning to love the wonder of living in a new country. And soon, these streets won’t feel so foreign anymore. They’ll become my streets and my neighbourhoods and my little favourite café on the corner. Soon, London will feel like home too.
Jeanine Caron is a regular contributor to Gypsy Girls Guide.
Sounds lovely. What a wonderful adventure. I am sure London will soon feel like home…and what a fabulous home.
This made me smile…!
I’m going to move to London in the autumn, though not from as far away as you (I’m not changing countries) and I agree with most of your points, except the hummus! That really depends on the neighbourhood you’re in. :)
Good luck getting used to it all and bon courage!
Jeanine, I so enjoyed this post. Your observations about light particularly resonated — light is something I always notice in new places. May you feel at home soon with your new size and the endless selection of bacon products…
Love your post! You REALLY need to write a book about your adventure/love story, perhaps starting off with your description of the lights, It’s gold Baby, gold
!!
Good hearing from you!
Love you xoxoxo
The house keys — big, solid, brass, treasure-like keys. Honestly, whenever I use them, I feel like I’m unlocking some secret door and that I’m about to enter another world. One where elves and fairies might live.
Love this sounds so much fun … But I feel you … So different … but knowing you … you will make it come alive for us … (my childhood dream was visiting London) … so I’m counting on you to make it come alive for me in Quebec … Take care love ya xxx
welcome to london…hope to meet you for some drinks.
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