Tea Time Travels

Time really does fly when you are having fun. Our first six months in London has been filled with laughter, learning, logistics, planes, trains, and automobiles.

We have been to 5 different counties, seen 9 shows, been to 2 football games, explored 4 museums, had 10 friends and family members come visit, and have tried loads of different restaurants and pubs.

I have really enjoyed the endless activities and events that London has to offer. While one of our main reasons for moving here was the close proximity to Europe, I have loved exploring London. The city is a hub of different cultures, language, and history. We have stood in a church that was built in 1123, drank in pubs that Charles Dickens frequented, and witnessed the mourning crowds after the Queen’s passing. I really like the quote by Samuel Johnson “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

Interestingly enough, I have been met with confusion and questions about why I moved to London from America. I sometimes get asked by my patients why I would come here from the land of opportunity. Most often, people are looking purely at salary differences and living accommodations, especially in light of the UK’s ‘cost of living crisis’. However, the UK does offers benefits such as free health care, 35 days of vacation, and more accommodating sick leave. It is interesting to hear different perspectives and perceptions of what is most important to them in terms of quality of life.

Living here has made me appreciate things that I took for granted in the States, and even more so the opportunities that I have simply by being a US citizen. I spoke with several nursing colleagues from various Asian and African cities about their experiences and struggles to get where they are today. The fact that we came to London by choice while others had to come for financial necessity made me appreciate the opportunities I have been given. We have been able to travel freely to any country of choice, even last minute, while others have to wait for months for a visa or cannot be with their spouse due to visa restrictions. It has certainly been enlightening to learn about other’s walks through life.

We have spent the weekends exploring the London’s various markets, walking through busy city squares, strolling through the park, or having a pint or two. We have made some new friends along the way and have used social networks like Meetup to have memorable experiences such as art classes and game nights with others in the community.

Cookie is loving her new home and has gotten used to being a pampered pup in the big city. We found a dog sitter on Rover to watch her while we are traveling. She turned 15 years old a couple months ago and is living out her retirement years by napping, trotting through London’s different parks, and looking for treats.

The past 6 months have brought some change as well- I found out that I could become a British citizen because my mom was born in the UK. I recently obtained my UK passport and am officially a dual citizen! I accepted a new job as a clinical nurse specialist with Royal Trinity Hospice. We have had some interesting/sketchy experiences with our landlord and will be moving next week to a new flat in the Clapham Common area.

There is a lot of change on the horizon and I am excited to see what the next 6 months will bring. We have trips planned to Spain, Italy, and Croatia this summer and will get to see more of our wonderful family in friends in various counties. Stay tuned for more tea time travels 🙂