All righty then! Let the second leg commence!
Leeds was great actually. My parents house lovely, full of all our old stuff. A new beginning full of old memories. And actually, great to spend time with them before heading away.
‘Who are you going with?’ Dad asked. L, I replied. ‘And how do you know her?’ Dad, I lived with her for 2 years…she’s been to our house before… ‘Oh right.’
Honestly, sometimes I really do wonder!
Leeds is a great city actually, full of life and character. A bit of the old and a bit of the new. It’s big, for me, having lived in Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow. But friendly enough (let’s face it, nobody beats the Irish on that). I look forward to getting to know it better.
The train station is huge! And hustling and bustling as only rush hour can do. I contemplate getting myself a coffee and then change my mind looking at the commuter queues. I’ll survive.
The taxi drivers here don’t talk. I find myself missing my Glaswegian driver’s constant patter of her friend’s daughter and possible bilingual associated speech delay. I had a finer version of that myself, although I more than make up for it now 🙂
I ask him how to pronounce various English-isms. He probably thinks I’m mad. If he does, he doesn’t ask. Weird.
There is a statue in the town square, some man on a horse. ‘Who’s that guy?’ ‘Have you heard of Braveheart?’ Have I ever- ‘yes’. ‘Well that’s the king from it, him and his army rested here on their way up’. Oh right ok, cool.
I am reminded of perspective and perception. It’s all about how we wish for it to be seen. Fairly sure Scotland would not have a statue of King Edward…
I smile to myself. History staring me in the face without me even realising.
‘Thatll be £8.50’ he says as he stops on a street. ‘Great. And where is the station?’ I hesitate to enquire. Surely this should be more obvious?!
More later.
Tiny
Tiny Indian Girl Up A Mountain 