Just enjoying my last hour or two at my mum's looking at my 2 very large bags which surmount to my life. Quite amazing isn't it, that 31 years means that. I'm feeling rather anxious and nervous. The most obvious reason a new life, a new country and a better job will all be underway this time tomorrow. I'm stepping into the great unknown once again. Also finances are looking very very shakey right now. I have well and truly overspent but I guess it's not often that I'm here and I did have to stock up and so on....
The fact that Britain is now officially a main terrorist target is also giving me the fear and today I'm flying by plane....I'm rationalising it all by thinking that there's probably no safer time to fly and why would a plane flying to a Moslem country be hijacked? Anyway, it's all in the hands of fate, god or allah.....
My meeting with a good friend/sort of ex was affected by a suspected bomb on the train going towards Manchester. So you can see my reasons for paranoia now. The whole of Piccadilly was evacuated and as I'm mobile free, I probably spent the best part of 2 quid phoning James from various phone boxes to see what he was doing. He stoically enough found a bus and when i was searching for him around the bus stop, by coincidence I saw him! Thankfully, our little tet a tet showed that nothing has changed. We indeed have a lovely afternoon wandering around with me showing him my favourite parts of Manchester. I studied and then lived there for 5 years. He's recently moved to Macclesfield (just outside Manchester) to start a new job. James made an interesting observation I've never really noticed before that Manchester is made of various areas but they don't blend in and it jumps at you with no introduction. He was quite right. He got to see the alternative part, China Town, the Gay Village, the student area (well one of them..) and the Curry Mile. All parts of town with really happy memories for me and
it was really nice to share them with someone who appreciated it. I hate talking about the weather, but Manchester was lovely and sunny and it almost has a continental feeling to it. In fact, I love cities on a sunny and hot day. Everyone looks smiley and relaxed.
Our afternoon and evening was curtailed by last buses/trains home. At least for James, it seemed that things were working again and hopefully he made it back OK.
A few last minute purchases were made this morning including a jar of marmite. What a sad brit I am......