Letter from Kenrick Mark (52nd Edition)

Letter from Kenrick Mark

Dear Esteemed Readers,

It was Saturday! The night was intensely chilly! I am sure the temperature dropped greatly, as I had on my wool full body Long Johns whilst covered with two wool blankets and I still felt cold! I remembered to cover my laptop too each night before I slept. I relaxed for a while, just thinking about life.

While in bed relaxing, I remembered when I walked in the tunnel under the River Thames. It was sometime in October or early November on a Sunday afternoon. There was a round house near Nandos with an elevator inside which carried you down into the tunnel under the Thames. Many people walk through the tunnel including students, tourists, cyclists, employees to cross over to Island Garden. One of my school mates from Bangladesh mentioned he lived there and used the tunnel on a daily basis. In the middle of the tunnel, I felt a ‘pressure rush’ from the water while walking — more like, the water is pushing on the tunnel walls, and you feel lightheaded somewhat. At first, when I told my comrade from Belize City, he warned me to be careful going into underground tunnels (there could be ‘odd’ people). It took about half an hour — an intoxicating experience trudging a tunnel, under a body of water, fearing the worse of a tunnel leak or sudden burst.

Sundays in Island Garden was rather a small affair. They had a charming park with wooden benches and tall, green trees. I sat there for a while, looking at the prestigious picturesque view of the University of Greenwich and its community. This view was an exact photograph I saw on the Internet before I arrived in London. Lovely! Really! There were a few booths around, carts rather, selling burgers and delicious take outs! I saw young men playing football in a field nearby. I walked a few streets and it was mostly empty. While walking back, a police car sounded its siren, and parked beside me. I was petrified. I thought — ‘What did I do wrong?’ They were two officers — a male and female. The male officer said ‘Sir, please stop’. There were a few people walking around, and I saw one lady stopped, and started looking at me. The officer went on ‘please take your hands out of your pocket’. They asked for my ID. Thankfully, I had my university’s ID in my jacket. I took it out, and gave the female officer. I had to stood and wait until they called into the Police Office, to run a ‘check’ on my ID. The male officer was very hubristic, and constraining. He asked me further ‘Why are your pupils dilating?’ In my mind, I thought ‘dilating?’ He asked me other questions including ‘Why am I walking around here’ and ‘What am I doing in London?’ I told him that I’m from Belize, and currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Public Relations at the University of Greenwich. I told him that I just woke up, and decided to explore the underwater tunnel, and explore this area of London. He even asked me about the courses I am enrolled in and how the academic life was going. His tone was raucous (to me). Thankfully, the office did their review of me, and I was ‘all good’. The female officer told me ‘You’re clear’. The male officer added ‘We just noticed you were walking all alone, and bearing the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, we needed to ensure that everyone in our area are ‘good people’. They told me to have a good ‘rest of tour’. I was agonized — that was racial profiling! I read on the Internet (while preparing for my London journey) that Indians and Arabs are profiled as high suspects of terrorism worldwide. I slowly walked back through the tunnel, and went in my room (feeling ill at ease). I told my classmates during the week, and they concurred that racism does exists in the city, with Middle Eastern and Asians being suspects of terrorism and human trafficking.

I got up, showered, and had cornflakes for Breakfast. While browsing my social media feed, I noticed one of my Professors posted a photo of light snow in the Greenwich Park. I thought, ‘now that’s the reason why it was so cold’! I went for a morning walk, around the Greenwich Area. I went up some streets and found some bookstores, which I explored. I also bought fudge from one of them. I visited the Greenwich Market, and browsed collections of astounding souvenirs. Honestly, the souvenirs were quite costly (for me).

In the afternoon, I went to the library, and continued my paper for Foundations of Scholarship. I also began researching for another assignment. Furthermore, I read many articles, and chapters from Public Relations books. I also took my customary hourly breaks, enjoying elevator rides (free taxi), and snacks including Cadbury chocolate, bananas, sandwiches, and cookies. I accomplished quite a lot. I went home around 10pm.

I showered, and got in bed. The streets were crowded again — weekend fun, and fete in London (for sure). Many people of all races and ages were dining in restaurants, dancing in the clubs, drinking at the pubs, joy walking around the River banks, and living a blissful moment!

I was so tired. I went to sleep.

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

Sincerely yours,

Kenrick Mark