#15 - I Went To London Last Week

A little late I know but I went to London last week with two friends of mine P and B. The three of us went to go watch The Technically Difficulties, a comedy group.
But first, the travel. We all arrived individually over the course of an hour. P and B got trains from Leeds and Cambridge respectively. And I, I got another damn coach, this time a sleeper coach leaving at 2:45 in the morning.
Why you ask? Because apparently I'm a weird masochist. In total I didn't do too badly, I got about 4 hours sleep in the form of 45 minute segments.
I was the first to arrive at 8am and got myself a Maccy's from Kings Cross whilst I waited for the others.
I learnt two important things about London whilst I waited. It is beautiful, a lot of money has been spent there and it is even more expensive then I thought.
Secondly, the tube is an absolutely horrible form of transport. I hope dearly Leeds never invests in one. They are truly the worst.
Once we'd gathered we headed to the Natural History Museum where we got a photograph with Darwin. Due to time restrictions we went through much faster than I usually do, only skim reading the more interesting exhibits.
In total we probably spent only 3 hours there including lunch (a £3 bag of half cooked chips, 3/10).
Before long we were back across London to watch the show and frankly, it was an incredible show. When it is released online I will definitely link it here.
We chanted Yorkshire, laughed, and generally just had a good time. And before long I was eating my Mystery Biscuit and on a train North to Leeds for a family party.
By the end of the night I was happy, chatty, a little drunk, and positively exhausted. I collapsed on my bed sometime post midnight and slept like a baby. Aside for some travelling, Sunday was a write off for rest.

#14 - First Pride (Leeds Pride 2016)

I'm writing this a tad late, I know, but it is hard to get yourself to write a blog post after spending a long day running after Big Macs. So here it is.
Sunday I went to my first Pride. Leeds Pride specifically. I've been intending to go for several years but unfortunately things kept coming up. This year was my first chance and I took up the opportunity immediately. Travelling to Leeds from Birmingham and back again by coach in a single day.
The atmosphere was intense and I don't think I've ever been around so many accepting people in my life.
My mum was also on one of the parade buses so it was great to see her having fun throughout the festival.
Pride is a big weekend long event in Leeds and, unlike Birmingham Pride, it's a free event. Honestly, I can't wait until next year.
The bit I won't forget however is right when we showed up they were reciting names. The names of the Orlando shooting victims. Something that will for a long time cut deep in the LGBTQ community. However, the host said "This is why we still need an LGBTQ movement."
It was a reminder that we all still have work to do to bring equal rights and remove prejudice, even in a progressive country like the UK there is still a lot to be done.
It was a great day though. Would definitely recommend.
Bring on Leeds Pride 2017.

#13 - Finally Met A Sane Person On The Megabus

That was a bit of a change up I must admit. Last time I wrote on here it was about a crazy person on the Megabus. This time it was the complete opposite.

So I went a-travelling again, this time the Leeds-Sheffield-Birmingham route, (putting me squarely back in The Middle Lands as I'm writting this) and as we came to Sheffield a person sat next to me (whose name I don't think I caught).

They were a Sheffield teacher from Nigeria taking their child on holiday, and frankly a relief from the last person I sat next to. Quite an interesting person, lectured in Nigeria, then moved to the UK where they're now teaching. And best of all, they're teaching a STEM subject which meant that we had more than enough to talk about. We discussed teaching and where we're both from, what we're doing and where we're going, as well as issues in teaching and other areas. It was quite a nice conversation to have.

They were going to Bristol but stopping in Birmingham for a while. By what I gathered they sounded fairly well travelled.

One of the most interesting things I found however, was when she discussed cultural differences between teaching in the UK and teaching in Nigeria. Respect for teachers was a big one as well as other things you wouldn't expect like, greeting teachers in public, something they say is commonplace in Nigeria but not in the UK where there is a mental distancing between students and teachers.

Another thing I found quite interesting is that there are problems she used to have in Nigeria which no longer exist in the UK. For example, there is a larger gang problem in Nigeria and sometimes that would be an issue with students. However, that I assume is a controversial topic I don't intend to delve into because I am by no means equipped with the right knowledge for such a discussion.

But there were issues such as, they had the equipment in many of the universities but the unreliability of the power could prove a problem in certain places.

Anyway, it was a really interesting discussion. One of the highlights however was when she said that she's pleased to be talking to someone because no one in the UK seems to talk to strangers and it's one of the things she misses.

And to be fair, I can agree with her. I have some incredible conversations with strangers but it's getting past this social stigma and frankly the fear we all have, to enable ourselves to have these discussions.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that because I found it particularly interest.

All the best.