London
Hello there! It's been a while since I last wrote something for my blog. I'll be honest. I forgot I had a blog. I'm sorry if you were expecting new stories :( I haven't written anything about my trip to Spain yet. I will, don't worry. Stay tuned, maybe one day I will write.
Red double-decker bus, London Eye, Big Ben and the River Thames. In short, this is London. It's much bigger than Dublin but it feels similar. I've been studying intensely since September and I couldn't focus on writing a single sentence. I'm even having a hard time reading a book. My mind was always busy with something. I believe everyone feels the same way. I believe it because people don't say it out loud but I feel it. Anyway, I delivered my last assignment on Monday and the very next day I left for London.
This is London, BABY!!!! I'm a bit excited. Maybe it's the coffee talking. Probably I should cut down on the caffeine.
Travelling solo. I remember a few days before I left for London, a close friend asked me, "Do you feel anxious?" (I didn't feel anxious. I wasn't happy. I felt like I had hit a wall. Am I supposed to feel anxious? Am I OK? Have I planned everything?...) And I was like, "No, why would I be? It's not the first time I'm going somewhere alone. I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
I was thinking over and over again, "Do I feel anxious?" How do I feel or How should I feel? I was feeling very calm. I can't even describe it, I was in a mood like I was going to the supermarket. I'm very serious. I even feel strange. I finally got there. I keep making jokes about Ryanair, but the taxi was more expensive than the plane ticket. That's ridiculous! I wonder how they make a profit. If I find out, I'll explain it to you later.
I couldn't focus on London for the first two days. I say it's not easy to adapt to a new city. I was walking in circles. Somehow finding my way around was much more difficult than I expected. I was in a transitional phase while exploring the city centre. I didn't need to think about my studies, assignments or presentations. After nine months I could focus on myself. That's too much! It was a very strict routine. One of my friends told me "if you work and study in another country, you can do everything, don't worry". That was good to hear. When I told him that I was travelling and got lost in the city centre on purpose, he told me "You never get lost in a new place, you just explore". I thought about this sentence during the entire trip.
The Royal Albert Hall was spectacular. The building was completed 150 years ago! It was fascinating. The atmosphere was elegant. I listened to "Verdi's Requiem" As far as I know, it's Verdi's interpretation of the Requiem. I won't lie, I slept very well. I haven't slept so deeply in a long time. Classical music, a marvellous venue and tired Kerem. What did you expect? Of course I fell a sleep. (I should have bought a ticket for the rock concert)
I've tried to focus on the moment in my journey. I can tell you it's not easy. We are always looking for a goal or an achievement. Especially, tourists tend to visit all the attractions in the city centre. I believe it’s pointless. People visit the cities like their duty. “I have to visit the Buckingham Palace.“ No, you don’t need to. I didn’t visit the royal palace. I sometimes sat on a park and read a book, listen a podcast. My goal for the London was to go there. Afterwards are unknown. I didn’t know which streets going to give me to new perspectives. I didn’t plan to meet new people. I simply go there. I like to be on road because make me feel alive.
I stopped for a moment on my last day. I sat on a bench and watched people in my last moments in London.
No, I…
4 May 2024
Osman Kerem
London
