My friend had told me that I should go to the UK, it’s very nice. This winter holiday I made it. At 12.30pm I boarded the flight to London, Heathrow from Beijing and after 10 hours I landed in the UK.       

The coach picked us up (I was part of a group) and drove us to Stafford House School, during the journey I enjoyed the views through my window. Everything you can see is different from China, the structures are low, the ground is covered with many lawns and birds are always flying above your head. As a matter of fact, the environment is much better than that in my country.

Because of the natural environment I really enjoyed walking by myself and I did but one time I got lost. That night is still vivid to me. I got off a coach at Sturry Station and I was so excited because this was my first time to walk home alone. After 30 minutes walking I began to get scared because I couldn’t find the way. At that time several guys were coming towards me and my heart began beating very fast (I remembered that my teacher had told me about football hooligans this morning) could they be I thought, no they just passed by talking and laughing.
Suddenly I stopped and thought I should ask them for directions so I ran up to them: “Excuse me, could you please tell me how I can get to 65 Riverview Road?” I asked. “Yes. Make a left turn at that traffic light, walk along the road till you find a playground then turn right and then left. I think you should be able to find it” the fattest one said. I said goodbye and got on my way.

 OH, MY GOODNESS I was lost again! I couldn’t find the playground. I was so anxious that I didn’t know what to do. I then tried to calm myself down. A car with its lights on approached me, so I went to it and knocked on the door. “What’s the problem lady?” the man said “Um, Hi I got lost. Could you please help me to find 65 Riverview?” I asked. “I’m sorry. I don’t know this area very well. Hey, you can knock on the door of that house. Look, its lights are on” he replied “Thank you anyway.”

Ding dong, the bell rang! A handsome man opened the door: “Hello?”  “Hello, I got lost could you please point the right way for me?”  “OK, come in please” he said. Then he took out a map of Canterbury. “Oh my Lord, I can’t find it. I am sorry. Don’t worry I know someone who can help you” he led me to another house where an old couple lived. He explained to them my situation. After a while, the old man came out and smiled to me:“Follow me. I’ll drive you home” he said.

We had a chat in the car.  “Where are you from?” he asked. “I am from China.”   “Hong Kong, Taiwan or Singapore?” was his next question.  “On the Mainland, by the way Singapore is another country.” I replied. “Oh really?”  “Yes, of course. By the way I think you are very kind.”  “Thank you.” He smiled.
“Here we are.”  “Thank you again.” I said. As the man was leaving, he said: “I hope you will enjoy your stay in England.” “Thank you, nice to meet you. Good night.”

Oh sweet, now I know where I am.

Weekend was coming and I had lived here almost a week. Carol’s son Sam seldom talked to me and that made me feel uncomfortable. In the morning while Sam was taking a shower, I asked Carol why Sam never smiles. I was not sure if Sam would hear that but when I was standing in the doorway saying good bye to Carol. Sam came out of his room and said to me:“ Good bye Joyce, have a good day. Oh dear, I have to work till this Saturday.”

I was so happy, he talked to me for the first time and that uncomfortable feeling disappeared into never-never-land in a sudden.

On Saturday morning, as usual Carol prepared the breakfast for me, I hadn’t seen Amy (Carol’s daughter). Carol told me that Amy would spend this weekend with her boyfriend. Boyfriend?! I thought, I was very surprised and Carol could read me.  She said “Yeah”, we can get married at 16 if the parents consent, do you have any boyfriend?”  “No, I don’t. ”, “why?”  I answered that “Because of the school’s rule.” “Oh no” she said. Wow, look, we have different views, yeah? It’s a culture shock.

That day I had been to Cambridge Uni. It was cool to see the most famous university in the world. I saw everybody just in a hurry going to classes, going to meetings etc. In China, the students won’t study hard any more, so there no rushing around, no hurry.

You can easily find carvings on the buildings. That’s really beautiful, I felt as if I was visiting an art museum.
Time flies. I’ve got to go back to China. What a pity!

I’ll miss you the United Kingdom.

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