Moving

"You're leaving Trinidad and going to Atlanta? ... oh, college. Well, are you thinking of coming back?"

It was easy to answer "probably not", given that programming, software and the web hadn't really taken off in the Caribbean yet.

"I heard you're moving to New York ... oh, for work. Lot less laid back there, you know."

Another easy one -- I had a job offer in hand, had already visited the Big Apple a couple times and completed an internship in NYC. (Plus, Trini food is a lot easier to find there than down south, with the exception of Miami...)

"Why are you moving to London? ... You'll miss NYC. You know there's more crime in London, don't you?"

But the place felt more personal, and once you got to know someone, even the reserved English, they were (likely) your friends for life.

"Why did you move to Glasgow? ... You'll miss London. The place is a lot ... erm, less Caribbean up there, you know."

But the locals are even friendlier and the city more walkable.

And so on and so forth. But when will I be having this conversation again? And will the reasons and justifications eventually become rationalisations and weak excuses? With each city I leave, I also leave behind friends and acquaintances whom I still visit when time/money/energy permit.

Back at my old place, closer to the Clyde, I once shared a lift with an elderly gentleman who had lived in various cities all over Africa and Europe (and was complaining about the manners of the couple just in front of us who had grabbed the lift and gone -- further adding to the anxiety of this new Glaswegian!). The Russian shopkeeper down the street has lived 16 years in Paris, 16 in London and just over 2 years here in Glasgow -- he does, however, have family living with him, or close by, I believe. So moving more than a few times doesn't have to preclude putting down roots, establishing yourself in the society, feeling part of the place (for once?).

Luckily, there are things to do in the West End (besides go to the many bars and clubs) so with any luck I will get in where I fit in soon enough.

Out here on my own :-)

I was invited to a friend's wedding, and was also asked to be the best man. The wedding was in Shimla, so I carried my camera. Click the pic for the general touristy pics :



But I noticed something that I miss when I am in Glasgow. I blended in like nothing. Here, even in a city that's becoming multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and (supposedly) multi-cultural, I get stared at quite a bit. Shimla's quite smaller, and I was all right there -- or at least unnoticeable compared to the priest with whom I went touristing around Shimla town centre. Tallish guy with white hair and white skin. And I was the one with the camera!

I guess with the staring in Glasgow also comes the question, "do I belong here? will I belong here in time?" Last Sunday I returned from London and was waiting on a bus back to the West End. The 62 eventually came along and these teenagers (twentysomethings?) got off the bus, the first yelling something random as he disembarked -- frightening the old lady in front of me, who let out a surprised "ohh!". The guy behind the yeller said something meant to be apologetic like "kids today" with a knowing grin. I rolled my eyes. "Welcome back to the Land of the Nutters", I told myself. Although to be honest, that place isn't really Glasgow so much as the front of Central Station (especially as the evening arrives) -- I usually avoid the place myself.

But I have had a hard time trying to put the stereotype of Scottish people as joyful noisemakers to rest (see old post about previous flat). The barber at the south end of the station had told me Scots take stuff less seriously and I think I took that to heart -- meaning consideration for others as well. Although noticing people keeping doors open for others behind them did give me pause. And it does help to be a part of some groups off Meetup.com since I have met many quiet Scottish people there.

And then, too, I've only been here about 15 months, so I guess I'll have to do my time. No shortcuts to feeling a part of a town... especially when it's in the UK and you don't drink much or follow the footy...

*resigned sigh* Well, London's only 400 miles away.

Random thought #123

"How did you celebrate your birthday?" .... errrr, I went to work and had an extra bit of chocolate from the vending machine?

The thing about birthdays -- and most other major calendar events e.g. New Year's Day -- passing me by mostly uncelebrated is there is no forced evaluation of where I am in my life (more than normal anyway) hence no feelings of regret/disappointment when I realise a year has passed and certain aspects of my life still aren't "up to scratch".

When you're one of those people who can't switch their minds off, life planning is for a quiet weekend or impromptu lunch time walk, not so?