USA to UK

25.05.01

Alvin’s update

Thanks for the update Mohammad, I’m please the deal is nearly completed; I’ll forward you my recent update.

Sunday the 20^th May was my departure date from Miami Florida. Adie and Bill drove me the two hours through the everglades to Miami. A straight drive from one side of the Peninsular to the other. Miami Beach is the place to be in southern Florida.

I had prepared for England and put on a singlet, long trousers and a thick shirt in anticipation of a long flight and cold arrival in London. Miami Beach was not a place to linger in those clothes. The temp was around 38 degrees c.

I reflected on my stay with my American family and really enjoyed meeting them all again. Paul was a great chauffer which saved me from having to learn to drive on the right and he was a great traveling companion. He done things with me that he would not usually have done and also extended my range of interests. Thanks to Bill for his help and advice. I enjoyed the pistol shooting at the indoor pistol range. It was great to renew your acquaintance. I loved spending time with my big sister Adie. She and I reminisced about old times and I found here so much like my other sisters, I appreciated that.

Niki and her children were a lot of fun. I am empress with the early education process that her children are engaged in. The two year old know the alphabet and I think they are well advanced of the expectations of children in New Zealand. Niki wanted me to say she had a wonderful personality and was the sweetest little thing. This has been achieved. Thanks for the time we had getting to know one another. I loved helping Angie with her swimming. A brave adventurous little girl.

Two and a half hours seen me in Washington then a further seven hours to Heathrow. I tried to sleep but to no avail. Probably two hours in total. Flying against the clock stuffed me. I was tired but wanting to explore. The time difference is five hours. Kath Harrison, a work mate and friend from Seaview has been in the UK for 18 months, met me at Heathrow. It was great to see her again and I have been staying with her until I get my ducks in order.

Kath is a Matron of a Elderly Mentally Infirm Nursing Center in New Cross, London. It is a new unit 5 years old and Kath has it ticking like a clock. I am impressed with the dedication and empathy with which she does her job. This area of SE London is near Greenwich and has a high North African, Nigerian, Kenyan, Zimbabwe, Indian and very few whites to make up the population. Kath is an ethnic minority here. On her staff there are only 10 white staff the balance of 120 staff are dark skinned (Black). In the local area security of the residents and shops is very high. Doors are double locked, shop windows have security screen externally. Kath pointed out that there are drug related murders in this neighbourhood. Five killings in six months all within ten minutes of here.

Eye contact between people is only brief and that is to see where the oncoming person is intending to walk. Yesterday while I was out walking to the Tube, I watched a bloke who had is alter his external mirrors on his van to get through a narrow spot. Being a friendly Kiwi I thought I may be able to assist and slowed down my pace to observe. When he alighted from the van he roared at me” have a good look you ignorant bastard” actually it was stronger language than that!!!. I moved on smiling. It does not take much to trigger road rage here.

I needed a hair cut and looked out for a Barber on Old Kent Road, and was waiting my turn listening to Reggae Music the like of which was very new to me. When it was my turn for a trim, I realized the Barber couldn’t speak English, but I could indicate that I wanted a number one on the sides and a number two on the top.

He hoed into the job and when I looked at the floor there was only a small amount of grey hair from me amoungst a huge pile of redundant Afro hair and dreads. I paraded my new hairdo to Kath who was pleased that I hadn’t asked for a shave as that would be to close to the Jugular!!

John Annan is working north of here, I will catch up with he and Sue next week. Kath was keen to orientate me to the City and we set off in the Tube.

We popped up in the city wandering about looking at whatever took our fancy. Kath lured me into Soho the Red Light District. The alleys became narrower and the doorman bigger and blacker so we made a retreat to Buckingham Palace. I think I seen Liz pulling here bedroom curtains. Couldn’t be sure as I was looking through a fence about 100 yards away and the Guard on duty was looking at me.

I have followed up on my UKCC Nursing Rego and that will be all done by next week. My HSBC Bank Account is now active. All that remains is to get my work permit.

I had a brew with Nikola Rooney, my neighbour’s daughter from Kaniere, at Waterloo Station. She is nannying over here and had some of my mail etc.

Kath is off for five days and she is a great hostess and calls her flat the South East London Marae for Itinerant ex Seaview Staff. Today we rode on the London Eye, A big Ferris Wheel, to assist me orientate. I have a fear of heights after my bloody Roller Coaster ride. I think my sweaty palms came back as we reached the top of the ride. I think my mind was expecting a sudden plunge into the Thames. It was well worth the £9.00 and being early we ere able to walk straight on without a queue.

Windsor Castle is an hour out of London by train. Liz had invited Kath and I for a cucumber sandwich and a cuppa. The castle is massive and set on a site of about fifteen acres. It is really over the top with the grandeur. I could get into the history and the way the building is put together. That was fascinating to a country bumpkin. An open topped Double Decker bus tour of the environs was excellent. It incorporated Liz’s farm and nearby Elton College. By the way it would cost NZ $5000.00 to send your son to Eton each year he was there (I’m pleased I didn’t have boys).

Well enough of this tapping. I’m still a bit Jet lagged even after 3 days so I’ll get to sleep.

I wonder what will happen next.

Bye for now

Alvin