Back in the UK - Thank the Gods!

Well, it's been a decade since I've been in the UK, And thankfully, just as it was the first time, it was like coming home...(breathes a sigh of extreme relief).

Uk

Can you believe it?  The first time I came here for uni(1994-1999), I was surprised that I experienced no 'culture shock'.  It was like stepping into a pair of well-worn suede shoes that I had not slipped into since a previous life.  I got on very well with the 'Brits' in my halls of residence, and had, surprisingly, their deferential respect even!  I'd often wondered how I'd feel when or if I finally got back to the UK in the course of the past 10 years in singapore, and, thankfully, it is not unlike the first time.  Do I miss 'home' (singapore)?  Hell no!  For the first time in a decade, I can wake up, or walk the streets, or switch on the telly, or interact with people, or go to bed in the night, without feeling pissed off. 

UK vs SG

In the UK, as V too observed, you get all variations of people playing prominent roles in the media, ads, etc - chinese, indians, 'whites', 'blacks', thin, fat, young, old, etc, etc.  You get a real sense of cosmopolitanism here instead of the lip service type. And when you switch on the telly, or walk the streets, you are constantly reminded to 'get involved' in social problems all over the world or in the UK via posters, speeches, demonstrations, ads, etc. It really helps in nurturing one's faith in humanity.  The internet connection here, as it was when I was living in HK, is obviously quicker even though the stipulated speed is the same as my connection in Singapore. You get more than a couple of dozen channels on the telly with all types of programmes that nurtures all types of inclinations.  And can you believe it, I can cross the road and expect cars to slow down instead of accelerating.  And 'Meritocracy' here in the UK largely means being able to do the job and not being of a particular 'race', 'age', or 'mandarin speaker'.  You get free medical at most times, and schooling till secondary level is compulsory and therefore free.  And when you speak to people or ask them questions, you know, unlike SG, they are not ignoring the novel in your statements and queries and simply regurgitating that which they are used to saying or taught to say.  People are civil to you no matter how you look, and I must say that I get more than a few admiring and interested looks from 'white' girls in a day than I might elicit in a year in singapore.  (Nope, it doesn't do my ego any good, but it does remind me that difference, personality, individuality and intelligence is a quite the valued socio-economic commodity here.)  And what I especially love about the UK is that people fight against discrimination of all sorts even though they or their 'race', 'age', 'etc', are not personally afflicted(i use the word 'race' in a broad sense meaning those who are perceived to be part of another group physically).  In other words, discrimination is recognised in all forms even if it doesn't happen to the majority.  The 'majority' in this country is not appreciated, generally, in 'racial' terms but in terms of citizenship.  A high level of empathy eh Watson!  I cannot help but feel that my future is safe in such empathetic hands.

Well, I could go on and on.  But the point here is not simply that UK is ‘better’ or more conducive than SG for developing the mind or the more developed mind, but that it strives to be that.  That, I dare say, is something worth emulating.  Mind you, I do not expect perfection, but do, by George's silk underpants, expect a society to strive towards it.  I have a visa to stay in the UK for 5 years (and hopefully apply for a ‘PR’ thereafter) but I have to get back to SG shortly to complete a particular project that might last a couple of years - but I will be back here every now and then for a couple of months.  But this return to what has strangely always felt like my home has significantly done my faith in humanity much good.  Incidentally, the first and best conversation I've had in a decade was with the cab driver who took me from the airport to my house (in the UK…Essex, Harlow).  Let’s see, we spoke about cosmopolitanism, politics, the labour party, juvenile delinquency, the weather, discrimination, pop culture, the significance of hip hop, music, etc, etc, during the 1 hour ride.  (I've learnt not to expect a tenth as much from the ‘grads’ I know back in SG) Now a people amongst whom ‘an opinion’ is not confined to food, shopping and pop, is a people who bode well for the progressive development of humanity and the human within us don’t you think?  The weather is truly crap here though, but the cultural and perspectival climate is most warming.

Just wish i'd brought my tripod and other lenses.  My digital camera is not functioning at present unfortunately. But, never mind, I'll be back!
(Pictures courtesy of V via her Ricoh GX100. Camera used by self in the pic - Nikon F6, 70-200mm VR.  My Fuji Reala 100 is about 3x the price here!)

TowerBridge

Ed'sperience 2008 -