24: Six

[anarchist_nomad]

Six years ago today, my beloved cheshcat and I touched down in Merry Olde Englande to start a new life here. Fresh off the plane, carrying only four suitcases -- packed to the seventy-five pound limit -- we spent our first day in London with nw1, before heading to Oxford on the next day.

Oxford -- the only place that I have ever moved without setting foot in it before arriving to live there. Six years later, I can unambiguously state that it was the right decision. The City of Dreaming Spires is still very much like a town out of a fairy tale. Despite having lived here longer than anywhere else in my adult life, the novelty has not worn off. On the contrary, I love showing off my special city, giving tours to friends passing through.

As for England, and the United Kingdom, as a whole? Well, there are ups and downs -- just as there would be anywhere. Having the Conservatives in power for nearly two years now has brought in quite a few of those downs. The weather is also often a bit of a down[*]. Still, there are many advantages over the country that I left behind. We have health care as a basic right[**], we have easily accessible history going back many hundreds (or thousands) of years. The list goes on and on. I do find myself missing many of my dear friends back home... but, in terms of place alone, this is absolutely where I want to be.

So here's to the past six years! In that time, I have seen more of England than anyone that I know -- English or otherwise -- and a pretty respectable bit of Scotland, Wales, and the continent, too!

A typical Oxonian


A couple of his friends


All Souls College, Oxford.
Just one of the many amazing (and picturesque) sights around town.

---

[*] That said, the weather this past week -- ever since I returned from Germany -- has been utterly amazing! A picture-perfect Spring, if ever I saw one!

[**] When I hear people in the States decry "socialized medicine", saying "We don't want to turn into Europe", I have to hold back a double take. Here in Europe, things are mighty nice. Especially when it comes to health care.

Comments

[dragonmamma.livejournal.com]

Actually most of us locals have a sneaking fondness for the old country too - tho' heaven forfend that we should admit it!!!!!
Yes, the NHS is much better than its press would suggest most of the time .
And YaY for the most beautiful and warm Spring for years. We've got about 2 more days of it before it returns to normal!!!!