Day 1
Delhi-London
Started on an early Saturday morning in India in AI 115, left from Delhi because it was my first trip abroad in a conference and I kind of knew how excited my parents were, so I thought it would be best to leave from delhi. Got all formalities done and met some people who were flying to Canada. One particular baccha asked me for help all the time. “hun ki karna hai” I spoke to him. He was flying to meet his sister in Canada, basically he had plans of settling abroad. I boarded the flight soon and had a glass of red wine.they served some good food too. I slept through out this flight. I reached London at about noon, there time. I got the oyster card to travel cheap in their tube ( read underground)
I boarded the tube till green park from where I had to change for warren street to reach the YMCA. As soon as I alighted at green park, I spotted my friend Sarthak Gaurav waiting for me.
The tube is a lot like the delhi metro, its underground, overground, on the ground too sometimes. I liked travelling in it. Sarthak walked me to the YMCA where he had booked me in a dorm. He asked me if I wanted to sleep or head out. I wanted to head out
The dorm was very nice and welcoming. There were 2 beds separated by a curtain and a common bath and toilet right outside the room. So, I took a shower, freshened up and went to Sarthak’s room.
We then started the sightseeing. He took me to a place called Little venice which are the backwaters of the river thames. We walked along the waters as we had missed the boat ride at 2 30. It was a nice walk, lots of flowers, boats, dogs and the general scene just filed me up with happiness. There were some irritating people too. A man in a shorts and always on the phone and talking so loudly. He walked right in front of us. All people who walked in the opposite side had a comment to make on him “oh my god, what a show off” “he is so loud” and when sarthak and I overtook him, we also spoke extra loudly but of course he didn’t realize why we did that. We then walked to Camden market, where there were stalls from all over: Australia, Thai, Chinese, American, sandwiches, desserts. I found the Australian stall rather interesting; there were kangaroo burgers, zebra burgers and what not. So we took the kangaroo burger. It was different and we felt quite full even though we shared one. We also took a round in the stables market.
Later, we walked to primrose hill, which offers a whole view of London: you can see the big ben, London eye, shard and a lot more. We sat for a long time and then took a bus to central London. We got off near Trafalgar square and checked out the Westminster abbey. We sat for a long time at the Trafalgar Square with our feet soaked in water. It felt very nice especially because of the long walk we had taken. I even got a picture clicked with the golden guy
We then walked towards the big ben but found a bar which we entered. Sarthak got me a cider, it is made of apples and I developed an instant liking to it. So we had a glass each and I was rejuvenated and with new energy, we walked towards big ben.
It was magnificent and I guess that is an understatement. From big ben where I insited on taking lots of photos, we walked to the London eye. I asked sarthak if it was worth going on the eye and pat came the reply “pati ke saath jana” typical. Anyway, we then walked along the thames. There were singers, people playing the guitars. (Of course they expect you to contriobute something to their money collection)
Sarthak and I attended an entertainment show where he juggled, entertained us by riding a unicycle and involving the audience. We walked further. 4 drunk guys were dancing to the tune of a guy playing the guitar and soon it was an all electric pasrty atmosphere. It was difficult to leave but we did. We had some sweetened moongfalis and walked to Chinatown. Sarthak wanted a buffet but for me it was just not possible so we had a subway each and headed home. I was supertired and slept.
Day 2
London-Oxford
I got up in the morning and had to check out. I met my roommate who was a t year old woman. She asked me if I could suggest a suitable match for her. Her parents had married her to an NRI in America who left her soon. I told her I would try.Sarthak had to work today. Yes, don’t ask me why. It was a Sunday but it was good. Because I feel a joy in dioscovering a country on my own too and I had wonderful guidance from india itself. My father had already told me the places to visit and sarthak told me as well. I went to have breakfast at the YMCA and suddenly I saw a familiar face. He recognized me too. It was anant Tyagi. He was one year my junior at hindu. It was such a pleasant surprise to see him. With my luggage and decided to keep it in sarthak’s office.so I visited the LSE, I saw sarthak’s office. I then left for my walk and decided to meet sarthak for a late lunch. I walked rsandomly and soon found king’s college with a picture of aqlumni including a mr Rampahl who was a lawyer. I then entered the somerset house, where there were fountains coming out of the ground and children were bathing. There were a couple of painting exhibitions on display which I visited too. I then walked further down and came across HMS wellington which was open for public on Sunday and Monday so I walked in. (Later my father tiold me that he had lunch at this place with his friend) I then walked further down the river and came to St Paul’s cathedral. I crossed the bridge and walked on the other side now. Soon, I came to the monument which was a structure built in the honour of people who died in a 3-day fire. I now was walking on the London bridge towards the tower bridge and tower. By now I was really tired and turned around to go back. I decided to take a bus to aldwych where LSE was. It was almost 3 and I called sarthak to a place called amici café. I had a full English breakfast composed of 2 toasts with butter, a double fried egg, 2 bacon, tomato, baked beans and tea. It was vey tasty and very filling. I then bade sarthak goodbye and got in the bus to Victoria where I was supposed to get a bus to oxford. From the bus to Victoria, I saw the Westminster abbey and horse guards. I got the bus to oxford. The driver kept my luggage and gave me a ticket and told me for st anmne’s I had to get off at the last stop. It was a clean beautiful landsxcape and the bus ride was very comfortable. I reached oxford and boarded a cab till st annes where I got my room key. The bed looked very inviting and even though I had decided I would go on a walk, I ended up just sleeping after taking a shower and having a cup of tea.
Oxford
This was the first day of my conference. I wore western formals and went for the registration. I now met Steven, with whom I was in conversation since a few months for logistical support.he was as friendly in person as on the mails. I attended the conference with a lot of interest. I know what work is happening with my data. I also met abhijit, my friend from hindu college who said I should stay in oxford on Wednesday as he would show me around. I had lunch with Jere Behrman and kept bombarding him wioth questions on malnutrition indicators. The confence ended on the first day with a dinner where I met a lot of people doing research in similar fields. Since dinner ended at 10 pm and I had the 8 30 session in the morning, I decided to call it a day.
Day 4
Oxford
I wore a saree for my talk which went well. I thenattended the rest of the sessions feeling quite sleepy to be honest. A couple of people gave very nice talks: Lantt Pritchett, Jere Behrman. The conference finished by about 6 pm. I went to figure out ghow I would travel to brighton and janani booked me in a bus. Then I went on a walk and discovered the canals in oxford. I also saw the houses and flowers at the countryside. I then returned around 10 and frankly was very tired.
Day 5
Oxford-Brighton
Today abhijeet met me at 10 am and took me around Oxford. I first walked to the city centre to meet him. He took me to Christ college. This college has the dining hall of the Harry Potter movies. It also has the Christ church with glass tainted paintings. We looked at the castle, the main structure of the Oxford. The city has amazing flowers, window flowers, where all vibrant colours amalgate to give you the perfect image.We walked on the streets of oxford. Came across the pub where C S Lewis and Tolkein had conversations. I also visited the college where Tolkein wrote parts one and two of the LOTR. And im an LOTR fan so it was a big deal We went to George and denver which apparently serves the best ice cream in that town.. We visited the sheldonian theatre from where you get a full view of the oxford city. Then abhijeet took me for lunch at his college and had knocchi for the first time in my life. It is a dish made of potato but it tastes like pasta
We then visited the young lives office (jisse meri rozi roti hai) and submitted my bills. Spent about half an hour in the office chatting with Kate.Then we spent sometime sleeping near the thames after which I bade abhijeet goodbye and went to collect my lunch at st annes.i then walked to the bus stop and boarded a bus to London. It was about 4 30 and I had a bus to brighton from London at7 30. However, there was a huge jam on the highway and I was stuck in oxford till about 6. I was sure I would not make it to London on time. We hit London at about 7 30 and my bus stop at 7 50. The driver asked me where I was off to. I told him I had a bus to brighton. However, I was sure I had missed it. He told me he would drop me to the depot and I would be accommodated in the next bus since it was the buses fault and intimation had already gone to all buses on the status of my bus. That was a relief as my chindi dimaag felt grateful that I had not lost 7 pounds. So I boarded the 8 o clock bus to brighton. I took some photos of the pier and janani met me in ten minutes. We had a burger each and left for her home in Sussex university. I then took a bath, we chatted and slept.
Day 6
Brighton-Seven sisters-Brighton
The next day, we left in the afternoon to visit the seven sisters. We took a bus till city centre and then another one to the seven sisters. It’s an hour long walk to the top and the view is magnificent. There are lambs talking to each other, little ponds of water and greenery. Some people bring their dogs along too. So we climbed the hill. Janni had packed us sandwiches and we had a small picnic on the top of the first sister but it was very cold and windy. So I asked Janani if we could walk back and we did. We then went to the seaside and clicked lots of photos. We then went back to Brighton and janani decided to treat me to Italian for my birthday with a glass of red wine. We had pizza and knocch. She then even took me to a pub where I treated her tyo her favourite drink and myself to a cider
Peop[le were dancing and someone was singing but as we were too tired we left soon and just crashed at home after deciding that I would leave for London the next afternoon.
Day7
Brighton-London
We got up in the morning and clicked very many photos at the pavilion which looks like designed by a mughal architect. It was the king’s holiday home. We then visited the pier which had casinos, eating places and rides inside. I then said bye to janani and got into the London bus. We reached Victoria and instead of going to drop off my luggage at monali’s, I decided to take a round of Buckingham. So I walked there with my bag and all and luckily for me I saw the changing of the guards. I spent some time at the fountain outside Buckingham too. Then I walked back to take the underground to London bridge. When I reached, monali said she would be done in 15 minutes so I walked around a bit, had coffee at burrough market when she came. Then we headed to the riverside and spent time along the thames. I was a little tired by 7 so we decided to head to chiswick.. it was a long journey and we decided we would order in at home. It was monali’s birthday and we ordered Lebanese. It was rather nice food and she even got me a cider
Day 8
London-Greenwich-London
Officialy my last day. We got up and decided we would visit Greenwich. It was great to go to the place which is the G in GMT. We visited the university, maritime museum all from the outside. We saw the line…0 degree. We then took a ride on the trolley and saw a full view of London from the O2. We then went to the station and headed to oxford circus. I shopped a bit for home and friends, vsisited waterstones and met sarthak for some coffee and sandwiches at hyde park before heading back to Chiswick where Anupam uncle and indu aunty visited me for an hour. It was great meeting them. All childhood memories flooded back. I then watched some TV and slept after “bandhoing my samman”
Day 9
London-Delhi
I got up at 8 and walked to the chiswick park station at 10. Monali saw me off. I took the inderground to the airport and got security done. I went to the duty free and got some chocolates. Met a sardar uncle aunty who were pretty old and were now settled in UK. I watched 2 movies on the flight and could not sleep this time around. When I reached my parents and sister came to pick me up.
It was a very good trip. Ive still not seen enough due to lack of time. Ive still not done enough due to lack of money. I hope i can visit again.
There are some things/observations which I want to write separately about
When I met anant, sarthak saw me but did not come. When I met anant, I told him that my friend stayed in room 133 and had booked the YMCA for me. Anant said that he was in that guys bad books. He told me he would tell me the story later. When I met sarthak later, he told me anant had told some girls that he snores and therefore wo use chidh gaya. Later I introduced the two of them and anant had another friend who was called kammy. Then when sarthak and I were walkjing to his office, sarthak goes “Annie and Cammy” I said “what?!” “Wo karamyog se kammy ho gya toh tera dost anant se annie..annie and cammy ”
The nomenclature is weird in the UK. So I understood that the underground was referred to as the tube so I took the tube the first day. However, everyone kept telling me that I had to take the tube from London to oxford and I thought that it meant there was an underground. However, tube is the name of a bus service, oxford tube is a bus service.then again, they kept saying for brighton I had to go to coach station and I thought train but it was not a train that people referred to. Coach station was bus stop. So you clarify what people m,ean when they ask youi to take the coach or the tube.
The older british are much more sophisticated and pleasing than the younger generation.
The oyster card greatly reduces the expenditures on transport. Can be used in buses and underground.
People are in general friendly though they might not know what you ask for.
Every Friday, you can find people with glasses of wine/cider/beer/whiskey drinking on the streets yet it is congenial and nothing rowdy was experienced. They sure can handle their drinks
The river walk is one of the most amazing things you can do in London.
There is road rage too. I witnessed one. The driver apologized to me. He had no need, I am from delhi and have faced the wrath of the blue line conductors and drivers. The car guy who got into the brawl made racist remarks.
Oxford is great for its architecture, Brighton for its pier. London is great for being the hub of theatre, architecture and night life.
They do have a habit of asking “are you alright?” instead of “how are you?”
