Letter from Kenrick Mark (18th Edition)

Letter from Kenrick Mark

Dear Esteemed Readers,

The morning breeze gently whipped my hands and face as I patiently waited in a corner near the train station stop downstairs. It was Friday, and the day seemed to be steaming up with people — perhaps students, or tourists, or those working or living in the Greenwich borough. Many passersby moved quickly. I made an assumption that they are either heading to work or an important event.

It was 830am. I can smell the sausages and eggs, and biscuits from the next door McDonalds outlet. Many ‘hungry’ people also paraded in and out of this shop. My belly was sending me a signal too, (growling sounds inside). I only had a granola bar, and some refreshing orange juice. I didn’t want to eat too much for breakfast as I was looking forward to a remarkable day of food, fun, and shopping with Andrea, my Chevening sister. Actually, I was waiting for her to arrive. I remember as each group of travelers from the train was coming up the escalator and eventually walking out the mini center street, I opened my eyes wide to see if Andrea was one of them. Did she remember our trip today? I hope.

After waiting about half an hour, and always watching as the crowds came out, Andrea finally walked up the escalator. I was happy to see her. We haven’t met since our Chevening Ceremony in Belmopan on the night of September 9th. She smiled too. We talked for a few minutes, then I went to show her my immediate area and my room and shared kitchen. She said our halls have more space and looks more calm. We talked more about life and London while at Cutty Sark Halls. She noticed I had my luggage bag with my luggage intact, and asked ‘Kenny, why haven’t you unpacked?’ I told her that during my first week, I was homesick, missing my family and my best friend, especially when I was in my room at night or during the day. Thus, I kept all my clothing in my bag. I even cried at intervals during that first week. Nonetheless, she encouraged me to keep a positive spirit, and fix up my wardrobe, and even add a few ‘affordable’ room decors (Belizean photos, or so). I adorned my shelves with books I borrowed from the library, and some extra boxes of oatmeal, corn flakes, and granola, and the very old fashioned alarmed clock I bought.

I gave her a bottled water. We decided to head off to Lewisham! I was all excited! Firstly, Andrea told me a needed to purchase an Oyster Card, and top it up. I was lost. So, she helped me out. She asked a train employee standing at the entrance of the station. He had on his ‘Transport for London’ uniform. He told her to check the stores near the market. We stopped and asked at two shops, the last being a healthy foods store. The guy referred us to the green colored ‘Convenience Store’ on the corner. When we walked closer, I realized it was the same store I visited the night before. I told her I’ve been here before. She inquired about the Oyster Card. There was only one of the Indian guys there. He said ‘yes, they do’. I bought one for 5 pounds sterlings and topped it up with 20 pounds. We walked back in the direction of the train station stop.

There were actually two entrances, one where the ‘enchanting, huge crowds’ always came rushing out or going in, and the other, I barely noticed if anyone ever went through that. It had a staircase going down, and elevator (I found out after later travels during the year), so we went down. While heading down the stairs, which had many turns, Andrea asked me: ‘Kenny, where are the machines to tap our cards so we can board the train?’ I told her, ‘I don’t know’. We kept walking, and ended up boarding the train. That section we went through was reserved for people with diverse abilities, and those, I believe who don’t want to be in the crowd rush on the other side. When I arrived back to Greenwich later that day, I realized that the machine was in the corner at the entrance. We might have missed it since I was excited and we were focused on boarding the train.

Three minutes later, a long, red train came rushing down the tracks. Cool, ‘mechanic shop’ smelling breeze blew, it came to a sudden halt and the doors open. People walked off. We walked on. I was nervous but curious, at first. There was also an announcer on a speaker. She was saying something about train stations and stops and visiting tourist areas. Andrea and I found a seat and we sat next to each other. I watched around the train cabin. A few British people were also in there. The train went through tunnels, and then above railways where I saw the beautiful views of buildings, brown brick homes, cars, gardens, while moving along Greenwich area, Deptford bridge, and Elverson Road. I enjoyed my first train ride!!! I was thinking of what I would tell my Mom later (smiling). We heard the announcer said ‘our final stop, ‘Lewisham’. I followed Andrea out the train. Lewisham looked new. She noted that more Caribbean and African people live and shop in this area. We might be lucky to meet a few from Belize! We noticed the ‘machines’ to tap out, but my sister said we couldn’t, as we didn’t tap in, and when we return, our card would read ‘out’ instead of ‘in’. So, the ‘bush’ guy from Toledo, finally travelled on a train, ‘free of cost’ at first opportunity. I felt guilty, though.

So walked down the train station way, and out to a road, where we had to wait for the light to change, so we can across the road. The cars and buses stopped, and we walked past. We moved quickly. There were many others too. I saw a modern, state of art, well designed building. It was a Gym/Cultural Arts center. We walked down the path, searching for the Mall/Shopping Center. That was where I had my first glimpse of ‘liberal London’. I saw two guys holding hands and walking down the path. I guess they were partners or boyfriends. As a liberal, progressive child of my late dad, Thomas Coleman Sr., and he wholesomely accepted me for my focus, and discipline, and path chosen, I respect the values of the LGBT community, indigenous populace and human rights on a whole.

After the lights changed, and ensuring the cars stopped, we walked across the street and into the mall, at the main entrance. It was huge, colorful. I saw jewelry outlets, souvenirs, decors and books stores, coffee shops filled with people enjoying hot mochas, chocolate and candy selling tables, food from Greggs and sweet corn from a portable corn machine operated by an Indian guy, and more clothing departments (prices at my eye peep looked very expensive). There was even a trampoline with kids jumping up and down, of course, supported by parents and connected ropes. Andrea suggested we find the Primark Store first.

We walked out to a market filled with assortments of flower bouquets, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, freshly baked bread, buns and pastries, and so much more. I only peeped!!! The crowd was sort of crazy, we were pushing through sometimes. Andrea saw a McDonalds outlet, and asked me ‘Kenny, have you been to McDonalds before?’. I told her ‘No, because I don’t like beef or burgers on a whole.’ She laughed. She told me that there are Chicken and many options. We agreed to try later on. We saw many stores, and finally found Primark. We walked in — Ladies’ Attires were on the ground floor and Men’s Attires were on the upper floor. I was truly amazed with the collection of male clothing. I saw suits — colors that match my ultimate taste, crisp, fine! I saw shirts (t-shirts, sleeve less, dress shirts, all colors, and good quality), pants (shorts, long pants, ‘long johns’, dress pants, again all colors, good quality), jeans (skinny, fit, regular, colors of blue, black, brown, white), (underwear and socks — all shapes, colors, sizes), shoes (wow, an impressive collection) and coats (furry kinds, more official types, all kinds)! I walked around the store slowly and enjoying my first visit to an official Men’s Clothing Store. I stopped and glanced around, with thoughts of bringing my family to shop in London one day. I spent nearly over an hour. I bought my winter jack (a cozy army green colored furry coat) and some underwear and socks. The coat cost 35 pounds. To me, it was an excellent deal! I walked down the stairs, into the Women’s store, and waited at the entrance for Andrea. I waited for around half hour (smiling). At one point, I thought she already left. I became worried at that thought, wondering how will I arrive back to Greenwich and I’m still new to this train situation? She asked me if I bought my coat. I smiled. I told her ‘yes’.

We walked out. A dark guy asked us ‘Are you Sri Lankans?’ as we walked into the busy crowds near a fish vendor. Andrea told him no. She bought a few things too. She also had the package that she picked up from me. It was another first for me as we stepped into a busy, people flowing McDonalds. We had to join the queue. I mentioned to Andrea that I was not sure what to order, and she looked at the menu. She suggested I got the Chicken Sandwich. So, I ordered a large Chicken Sandwich, fries and a double Chocolate shake! I think she ordered a real burger and coke. We found a table, and waited. The fast food arrived in 10 minutes. I was hungry and the food was SUPER!!! That was definitely one of my best meals ever. I was happy again that my Chevening sister introduced me to McDonalds.

We walked around and window shopped. We also saw the Pound Store across the street from the market. I wanted to go and check it out. But, my sister said another time. I bought bananas at the market too! We headed back to the train, and of course, this time, we tapped the machine, to start our train journey. I told her ‘thank you’ for showing me around and for everything! I got off at Cutty Sark Maritime Greenwich, and she went on to her stop (which was like 10 minutes away). I also tapped out my card at the machine. I walked up to my room, and turned on my laptop. I immediately messaged my comrade from Belize City, and told him of my journey to Lewisham and all the great things we saw! He was happy that I was finally travelling around and enjoying good food!

I’m quite exhausted for tonight! I will continue my journey in a next edition of Letter from Kenrick Mark.

Sincerely yours,

Kenrick Mark