My First Trip To Europe

My first trip to Europe was to England, UK in 2006 holding a tourist visa. I have enjoyed my stay and short visit to this country with different and some unusual experiences. What struck me first was the weather. When I first stepped out from the airplane, it was very windy and cold. It was tail-end of winter.

I first stayed in the country for three (3) months. I learned a lot of things that is entirely different from my own country. Good I can speak the English language very well where I do not have difficulty of understanding and relating with the British people especially when you are in the stores doing a bit of shopping and meeting friends.

The Things that I initially noticed and learned during my short stay were as follows:

1. The steering wheel of the vehicle is on the right side and drive on the left side of the road.
2. There are more private cars on the road than public transport.

• a) Taxi cabs often found in the train stations and airports. They can be hired through pre-booking and are bit pricey. Though I was told there are more taxi cabs in the metropolis or big cities like London.
• b) There are single and double decker buses.
• c) They also have more trains as public transport.

3. They observe road courtesies like

• a) Drivers often give way and when they are given way, they also acknowledge by making hand sign
• b) Drivers do not blow horns of their vehicle unless necessary or on worst situation they need to do so.

4. Where main roads meet they often have round-abouts instead of traffic lights. Though, there are still traffic lights at some cross roads.

5. Most houses and buildings are made of bricks under a tiled roof and of similar style. Some older style houses have chimneys from the days when open fires were used to keep warm in the winter..

6. When you eat in the restaurants or pubs, you will notice that they use knife and fork, instead of spoon and fork. The spoon is only used for desserts and soup.

7. Common words of courtesy use are: Please, Thank You, Sorry, Cheers.

8. Common introductory topic is “about the weather”

9. There are many tourist spots and lovely places to visit in the country.

10. Generally speaking, British people are a bit cold and less cheerful but they are courteous and helpful when approached.

Anyway, during my short stay - I went to visit a few tourist spots in the country. I went to London, the capital city of England. It is a busy city and very nice.

1. Buckingham Palace
2. Houses of Parliament
3. No. 10 Downing Street (where the PM resides)
4. The London Eye & London Cruise
5. Trafalgar Square or The National Gallery in London
6. Tower of London
7. Kensington Palace

Apart from London, I also had the chance to visit these places:

1. Brighton, Sussex
2. Lewes Castle in East Sussex
3. The Grange Garden Park in Lewes, East Sussex
4. Tide Mills in New Haven, East Sussex
5. New Haven Fort, East Sussex
6. Hope Gap in Seaford, East Sussex
7. Eastbourne, East Sussex

My initial visit to England, UK urged me to go back to discover more about the country and explore nearby countries and cities.