#so queue found a place where the grass is greener

[forgetmenot-katka-blog]

Foreigner in UK

Things which I do and don’t like (part 1)

I moved to England three and half years ago, from small post communist country called Slovakia. Slovakia is little bit behind the west, which I am pretty sure is because of dark time of communism, but it is OK not the end of the world.

When we moved to UK, we were basically running away for a vision of better life, mostly more money, but I had no idea, that I will fell in love with UK, I found something better than money, I found place, where I feel I belong to. Firstly I wanted to write this post as a 10 things, which I love the most about UK, but then I started writing down everything what I like and I realized I have to do a series :)  

There are of course few little things, which I am not very comfortable with, so I might mention few of them, but they are not break dealers.

Let's do it.

1.PEOPLE

This is what I noticed as a first thing, English people are different. They are very friendly, communicative and open. When I moved in I wasn’t used to it at all, in Slovakia people are not usually talking to strangers, they are mostly ignoring each other, but here, you can find yourself to have a chit chat with staff in shops, or you can have a nice conversation with somebody when you are chilling in park, or queueing in shop. I wasn’t a big fan of it from beginning, just because I have never done it before, but that time is gone and now you can see me talking away, everywhere, anytime :)

But it isn’t just about communication, people here are more calm, relaxed, polite, smiley and that makes all the difference. People do respect each other (most of the time) and trying to help each other, which I think is amazing.

You can of course find some exceptions, but not very many, fortunately.

Thanks to people here I managed to change and I have to say, I think I changed for better, which well I am very happy about, because now I feel better than ever.

2.COUNTRYSIDE

Let me just tell you, grass here is greener, flowers more colorful, there are many sheep and lambs on fields, you can see little bunnies jumping around with their cute little tales, gardens are full of birds singing away, sky is nicer for some unidentified reason, you can share your fish and chips with seagulls on beach…... Seeing it all just makes you feel blessed and impressed, wondering how and when did all of this magic happened.

3.NO UNNECESARY BUREAUCRACY

OOO let me tell you, this is my the most favourite thing. So far in my 3 and a half years stay I visited the office (any office), once. That was the time, when I had an appointment for my National insurance number, and that was it. I didn’t have to go anywhere since. Everything is easy, I can do everything online or by mail, which is like a fairytale for me.

No bureaucracy, no wasting of your time running with one paper back and forward from one door, to another, from one building to another across the town.

So I just want to say, THANK YOU England, for making our lives easier, I do appreciate it very much, because I know, that it could be much more complicated.

4.HISTORY

Which other country can say, that they had a king with 6 different wifes, or such a long history of monarchy or woman as a queen, the leader of whole country in 16th century, the one of the first democratic parliaments, strong power, wealth, history of intelligence and scholarship, the most famous ship in the world, the queen, who was mourning for 10 years, suffragettes organisation….

England does have a remarkable rich history and I just love it, I love studying it, learning and absorbing every single information.

5.DOGS AND CATS

English people generally are a big animal lovers. Almost every household, which I know does have dog or cat or dogs and cats all together. That means a lot of animal presence, many cuddles and stroking every time, you are walking through park, or walking to work, basically any time.

I do believe, that people who are treating animals kindly and with love are doing the same to a people….

That is enough of talking nicely about England, lets just move on and talk about nasty stuff, which I will never be able to get use to it. I hate it so much, I can’t even explain.

SPIDERS

I have an arachnophobia, which I am trying to  get rid of it, but so far nothing has happened (if you know about anything what works, except touching them, let me know). I had no idea, before I moved to UK, what beasts do they have here. When I first saw the size of this disgusting, black hairy spiders I wanted to move back to Slovakia. They are not yet the size of tarantulas, but well they are on their way there. Some people might find it funny, but I don’t. I hate them so very much, but I am trying my very best. This is not easy for my partner, because he is the one saving the situation again and again, every time spider is around. Luckily the big ones are problem just for about 2 or 3 weeks in August, because of harvesting I think. Two weeks of nightmares and anxiety are not that bad :) I think I will stay here anyway.

There is not a lot of things, which I dislike about life in UK, as you can see. I really do appreciate the opportunities, which I was given here, I appreciate all the love, which I am receiving from the people and I hope, that Brexit won’t change anything and I will be able to stay here maybe forever and ever.

K.