The Honeymoon Phase

I’ve read that there are four stages to emigration. 

• Honeymoon Phase – “Everything is new and interesting."

• Rejection Phase – “Everything is new and sucks.

• Regression Phase –  “Everything in the US was wonderful & much better than this.”

• Recovery Phase -  “Everything is going to be okay.”

I’ve been here 18 days now:  two are a blur due to jet lag, four were spent in Paris and three were spent in bed hopped up on “Night Nurse” (UK version of Nyquil).  So, it’s really only been nine days and I’m certainly still in the Honeymoon Phase.  I’m completely overstimulated and yet under-stimulated at the same time, if that makes any sense.  There is a lot to learn and experience but no job or home to tend.  I’m afraid I can’t put a coherent blog together, so I’m just going to share some random observations. 

• The English countryside is one big movie set.  It is absolutely gorgeous and magical!  Everywhere you look there is a sight to take your breath away.  Rolling, green hills dotted with sheep, the spire  of a cathedral in the distance, a farmhouse that looks like it grew out of the land and winding, country lanes canopied by trees… it is just beautiful!  If I squint my eyes so that I can’t see the modern signs, then I am completely transported.  I expect to see Willoughby racing across the field on a black steed and the Misses Dashwood walking arm in arm along the stream while Margaret climbs a tree.  I have fallen completely in love.  

• Norman, Gothic, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, Elizabethan.  I don’t know anything about British Architecture, but I’m going to have to remedy that.  The buildings here are so interesting.  And not just the breathtaking churches and cathedrals, but the homes.  There are several house-hunting shows on TV and all of the homes that they visit are old.  And I don’t mean seventies-green-shag-carpet-outdated old, but house-with-a-name-and-full-of-character old.  I can’t imagine the upkeep on a medieval house, but someday I must have a house with a name. 

• Philly Cheesesteak, Beef Kebab, Sausage & Crispy Bacon, Cheeseburger, Roast Turkey, Grilled Shrimp.  No, that isn’t a list of my last six meals.  That is a list of just some of the Pringles flavors found in the UK.  Yep… that’s right.  Potato Chips (or as they are called here, “Crisps”) of the meat flavored variety.  Ack. 

• We speak the same language, right?  US and UK.   But, I’m surprised with just how much I’m struggling with communication.  I am used to Matt’s accent and have no trouble understanding what he says, although sometimes I don’t understand the context.  But, in dealing with the public, I often find myself asking them to repeat what was said or turning to Matt for a translation.   There are so many distinctive accents and dialects even among those born and raised in the UK, but when you add the foreign accents of other expats, it has been a challenge.  

• I believe that you could drive from one end of Great Britain to the other without actually stopping.  There are relatively no stop signs here.  Instead, you will find roundabouts.  The roads are winding and often a single-lane wide.  There is no north/south grid layout to be found.  In the U.S., when asked "how far away is X?", the answer will be answered in time… "a 20 minute drive."  This means that you will be traveling as close to as-the-crow-flies as possible, averaging 60 mph for about 20 miles. Here, the answer will be in miles.  Folkestone is 20 miles from Canterbury; however, it could take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes to actually get there… and that is still without actually coming to a complete stop along the way. 

• I can’t end the blog without touching on THE ENGLISH WEATHER.  All caps not because I’m shouting, but to give proper emphasis to something that is both revered and reviled in England.  So far, I have found the weather to be lovely (my new favorite word, I feel like I fit in a little when I use it.)  A majority of the days have been sunny and clear with temperatures in the 40’s or 50’s.  We have had one day that was overcast and foggy.  There have been a few occasions of misting rain, but it has been truly lovely.   I still don’t see what all of the fuss is about. 

So, those are some random observations to date.  Currently, we are in limbo waiting for that magical phone call.  Until then, we are settled in nicely with Matt’s parents in Folkestone.  They are tolerating the American in their midst and have been wonderful hosts. I’m counting down to Jessica’s visit and FaceTime has become more valuable than gold.  I have had some waves of homesickness so profound that they take my breath away, but all in all, things are good.  And I'm hoping to avoid phases 2 and 3.   

xoxo
Selena