Hello everyone, I'm now writing from London after arriving here last night local time. And now for the second part of the change I'm making in my life – I've relocated to London for awhile on a working holiday visa. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to be doing at the moment but it's just going to be very different from Singapore that's all. And I think that's what I need for the moment. It's not going to be all smooth-sailing, but it's going to be different.
I don't deny I'm scared...who wouldn't be? Leaving the security of home and venturing into a foreign land with no job waiting and few friends. It's having to build a life all over again. But it's something I've always wanted to try and I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life if I don't give this a try. I mean, what's the worst that could happen, right? Just go back to Singapore and find another job if I don't like it.
I bought a one-way ticket for myself. Well, I redeemed airmiles accrued through work travel in the past three years. I didn't have enough miles to get a return so I just opted for a one-way ticket instead and paid $111 in tax for the ticket. It's probably the only time in my life that I'll ever get a one-way ticket. It is quite liberating to do so. Haha.
Thank goodness the immigration officer didn't make things difficult for me. One girl at another counter had a very tough time with one immigration officer. I think she was also trying to enter UK on a working holiday visa. I also had to have a chest x-ray done. They were screening for TB. Anyway, clearing immigration was a real bitch. The queues were horrendously long and I took a total of about 1hr 20min to clear immigration. And when the plane landed, it waited on the tarmac for about 15min for parking space. All in all, it took me about two hours from landing to get out of the airport. Fantastic introduction to English efficiency.
I'm not sure how long I'll remain here for even though the visa is valid for two years. But I can only work one year out of the two. The rest of the time I'm supposed to be travelling, which is what I want to do anyway.
But I have no concrete plans as yet and I'm taking a play-by-ear attitude to things. I'm now staying with two very good pals, Joe & Keith, who have kindly offered me couch space in their living room for the moment. Thank you my dears!!! They're staying very near Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Chinatown so it's a really nice place.
So the dimsumdolly is now conquering London! More tales and pictures to come!
Posted by DSD at May 21, 2007 5:21 PM