Run over by BUS

11.06.01

Alvin’s update

Things are changing all the time for me so I’ll try to keep you all up to date.

To explain a major change, I’ll refer to is as my zone of awareness (ZOA).

Coming from a rural country area I have tended to scan an area of about 100 yard looking for action or trouble.

Over here, I have found that this ZOA is far too big for the city as there is too much happening. I have there for had to reduced my ZOA to about 10 meters. Only things happen within this zone do I react, I’ll give you an example.

Kath and I went to Lewisham to see her travel agent regarding her European tour next month. I waited outside the little shop near a food stall. The place was busty as hell, people everywhere.

A thump bang and squeal made me flick my head around. I spotted a youth extracting himself from under a Double Decker Bus. Panic was in his eyes as he sprang to his feet right next to me. He began rubbing his head, I assumed that is what had come in contact with the front of the bus. Inside the bus was pandemonium. Old people who where standing in the isle had tumbled against an old guy who was last onto the bus. Old George ( 83) as I later found out was at the bottom of the pile. He was in a great deal of distress. I moved forward to offer assistance to the young bloke. He had turned white with fright and was full of adrenaline. Blood was starting to flow from his fingers and he continued to rub his head. Still dazed, no broken bones. He wanted to bugger off. Some others persuaded him to have a seat inside a nearby drug store.

The old bloke George, had hurt his hip or arse end when he fell. I assisted the old fella off the bus and found him a chair. He couldn’t sit so I gave him reassurance. The Bill arrived from nowhere. It was interesting watching the cops come to terms with what had just occurred. One of the 2 cops went in and seen the young bloke, while the other questioned old George and the driver. It was about this time a second incident erupted. A young teenage girl started yelling and ran past the crowd that had gathered, she was towing a police women who had hold by the back of her clothes. She was bought to ground in about 10 yards and continued to struggle with the cops. I gathered she had been caught for shop lifting and was escorted away in the panda car.

Given that the bus driver needed to be interviewed, his bus had to be unload its passengers and the big red remained where it was, in the middle of the road. This caused a major traffic jam. Cars were backed up for ages, a real bloody snarl.

Back to George, he was starting to get real sore now and just wanted to go and have some food for lunch and get home. Not so, the cops wanted a full statement signed by him. They had also called an ambulance service. Well of course they also wanted to know what happened and started to question old George again. He had had a guts full of all this and welcomed by advocacy. He finally turned the ambulance away and moved off slowly to a fish and chip shop for some dinner

Kath came out of the travel agency, oblivious to all this, she said “What’s going on up there?” I replied a young bloke got hit by a bus. She responded matter of factly “yeh that happed all the time here” I think I’ll have to reduce my ZOA to 1 meter.

I have underestimated the hassle of a work permit in the UK.

Especially the time it takes from when you apply. This has made me rethink my plans as I can’t stay on holiday indefinitely. (No money no Funny). To shorten this up I have accepted a position at the same hospital as Kath Harrison.

Bev will be employed here also and I am assured that we can get the same days off together and have flexibility in shifts. Bev will be joining me here on the 8^th July. Our plan now is to get a flat close to the Hospital and stay here until March next year.

Rachel my first born will be over in November and there is work available for her at the hospital as well. The criteria for getting flats here is very stringent and aliens have to pay up to six months in advance (no credit history). At London rates that soon mounts up. I have furnished the unit in mind and the asking rental is £665.00 per calendar month. (that is about NZ $550.00 per week).

My love handles have disappeared from my hips and guts due to the change in diet and all the walking I’m doing. I was 14 stone when I arrived and now down to 12 stone. (hope its not AIDS). My ribs are sticking out and I feel much better for it.

Its surprising how much exercise you get on the underground up and down stairs. I’ll find a gym near here for the winter and get a range of social contacts by joining the local Millwall Soccer Club, Hooligan division, (I think Kath is already the president of this division).

Had an email from other Kiwis departing for the UK and will be meeting up with a psych nurse from Nelson MH Service at Waterloo Station. This rendezvous point to meet up with John and Sue Annan for the day. Kath and I plan to encourage them onto a boat cruise down the Thames and back.
Yesterday I spent the day at the Imperial War Museum. Shit I was blown away by the Holocaust display. It unsettled me all night. I am starting to learn basic German, as my ancestors came from Poland. I’ll need something to say when I get there ah.

Well I’m excited that Bev will soon be with me

I wonder what will happen next

All the best

Alvin