Letter from Kenrick Mark (4th Edition)

Letter from Kenrick Mark

Dear Esteemed Readers,

We were glad to have found our luggage. At one particular moment during that five minutes of worry, I thought of calling it a ‘lost’ and just buy new clothing and footwear in London. One of my sisters, Sol, did mentioned that affordable clothing can be purchased at Primark (in an earlier official engagement). So, we grabbed our luggage and strolled for a bit down the walkway. It was time for Phylicia to travel via train to Reading, UK, while I was going to Greenwich, in South London. I believe she also went to clear a food ingredient (usually you need to declare these products). We hugged, and said our goodbyes. She walked away.

I was on my own now. I followed the signs and walked to the entrance of the airport. I just kept focused. They were crowds of people at the entrance with signs. Most of these signs had names of people or places or events. I kept wondering if my taxi guy was there waiting with his sign. I didn’t look for it, though. I was ashamed in front of all those people. I considered it a lost. Thankfully, when I arrived at my residence in London, I received an email from the taxi service stating that the guy waited for an hour and then left, and that they couldn’t do a refund. It was like 50 sterling pounds. For me, I was hurt but understood that I made an immature decision not considering that they might be a long queue. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even knew it would take two hours to pass through the immigration/arrival checking.

I finally arrived outside Heathrow Airport. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was in awe. In my mind, I kept thinking — ‘London, I made it’, ‘Kenny, you did it’. I looked around. I saw huge buildings, and lots of people catching taxis. I didn’t know if I should have just said ‘taxi’ or wave and then, a cab would drive up?. I looked around, and saw a beautiful dark skinned young lady, and since I was brown skinned, I thought she might be of help. I went, and asked her if she was waiting for a taxi. She mentioned that she waiting on a cousin. I introduced myself, and even told her that I moved to London to pursue my post graduate studies. She smiled, wished me well, and also said she is commencing undergraduate studies at the University of Westminster. I smiled. She also instructed me that I needed to go down the main path and speak with the Taxi Manager to get a cab. I thanked her and then moved on.

The taxi manager/supervisor quickly asked me if I wanted a cab, and I said ‘yes’. He called a black cab, and I got in. The driver asked me ‘where to’ and I gave him the address of my student halls/residence. He programmed the information in the computer and told me firstly, that it would be around 100 sterling pounds. I agreed, and off we went. At one time, I tried talking to him. However, he didn’t answer. In my confused mind, I was thinking…’this damn British’ (humor only).

It was my first tour of London. From the airport, we travelled and saw many skyscrapers, residential housing areas, lots of trees, gardens, cars of all sizes and shapes, bicycles, historical places including Buckingham Palace, and I felt the first ‘cold whip’ of breeze through the open car window. That was a summer breeze, a littler cooler than what we had in Belize, during cold weather (smiling, thoughtfully). I really enjoyed that tour that last for at least half an hour. We finally arrived at Cutty Sark Halls, and it was a sunny afternoon in beautiful Greenwich. He collected the taxi fare first, then unlocked the back cab door so I could have gotten out. Was that a racist act? Or simply a business act? I won’t judge. He thanked me, and I looked in front of me — Cutty Sark Halls. Again, my heart was beating fast! I saw people walking into the building. Honestly, I used Google maps and did virtual tours of my Student Halls, University, the Greenwich village, and London in general to ensure I didn’t get lost when I arrived. I walked in to a friendly, caring, and vibrant front desk staff/student workers. They welcomed me, I signed some forms, and I was escorted to my room by a fellow student. He showed me around my room, and told me to ask for any help if needed. I thanked him.

I saw my bed — a simple, metal frame with a mattress. Then, I looked at the bathroom — shower, toilet, wash basin and mirror. I also had a wardrobe, office desk, and shelves. We also had a fully equipped kitchen, shared by my other flat-mates, who I met later on. I love simplicity and my accommodations were perfect. My next thought — food! So, I got some money, my IDs, keys, and my summer jacket (which was donated by a kind friend from New York). I walked down the steps, through the courtyard, in the main entrance building of the halls, and onto the crowded streets of London. There was a bar downstairs, and tons of people were drinking and having fun. They were many cars driving through, and people visiting the area. Greenwich seemed to have been a very popular tourist destination.

I walked through the crowds, looking straight, and not making eye contact with anyone. At the corner, we had to wait for the green light so we could have crossed over. I was heading to Sainsbury for the first time. I passed restaurants, shops, bars, pastry shops, a church, a barber shop, banks, bookstores, and finally arrived at Sainsbury. I remembered my Google tour (smiling). To my surprise, the door automatically slid open. I was excited. I took a basket and went around gathering a pack of bread (for toast), butter (the butter was amazing), chocolate muffins (for dessert), bananas, corn flakes, oatmeal, coffee cups, plates, spoons, milk and water. I saw everyone was using a computer to check out. However, I didn’t knew how to use it. I went to a queue so I can pay the cashier directly. She was friendly. I told her I was new and I came from the Americas. She thought I meant USA. She even told me she has family in the USA. I paid for my items, and went back to my room. Oh, there was a security guard at the door. He seemed nice so I asked him about the European chargers. He told me to check with an Indian convenience store near Gregs. I didn’t knew where it was, but I told him ‘thanks’.

While walking back to my room, I saw the store, but due the crowds, and people walking so fast, I decided to buy the charger another time. I went back to my room, and stored the items. I then went on my laptop and realize that my battery was at 75%. Thus, the need for a European charger, so I can continue operation while in Europe. I messaged a few family and comrades and told them that I arrived in London safely, and I’m doing good. I ate a banana and a muffin, and drank water. I can hear fellow students talking in the courtyard, and a few cars driving by and planes flying in.

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

Sincerely yours,

Kenrick Mark