Culture shock hit me hard for months after. i just couldnt get over it and i found it so hard being back home. I missed my Kenya family so much, and longed to be back in Kenya.
It was winter in England. It was cold and grey, and brought be down so much more.
Me and my best friend holly were talking one day. She was going to Australia for 3 months at the end of Jan, and i was going to South America in march. She was nervous about going to Australia, as i had been before Kenya. She said she wanted to travel more before she went to Australia for a 3 month teaching placement in Shepparton. At this point i was miserable and desperate to travel more, just to be away again. We got carried away talking, and the next thing we knew, we had booked flights to New Zealand for three weeks time.
We went to the STA travel office in brighton to arrange some last minute bookings and activities. An eventful day in many respects. We decided to drive in to Brighton, rang the office to see if we could get an appointment and were told we could see them in an hour. We jumped in my car and went in straight away. The thing about Brighton, is that the parking is impossible, and expensive. We got there with no problems, but then realised we hadnt thought about where to park, and didnt know where the STA office actually was, just where the road was. We had 10 minutes to go until our appointment. Shit.
We drove up the main road along the sea front, looking for a place to park. Then we realised we could just park along the road in the pay and display parking slots, perfect!! we parked in the first one we found, no problem. Then we made our way to the office. I knew Brighton reasonably well and thought i knew the way to the road it was on, but wasnt sure where it was after that. We walked up to the road i thought it was on but there were no sigh posts so i wasnt sure. "oh shit Holly i think we're in the wrong place, i havnt got a clue!!" Holly asked a man in the closest shop where the road was, and he said we were on it. PHEW! We walked back out but then i had another panic "But where the hell is the office!! we have 2 minutes we're never going to find it!!" Holly looked at me as if to say "retard" and pointed up the road we were walking along, it was right there in front of us. Nice one Lauren. So we sorted out a few trips and tours for us to go on when we got to New Zealand and got us booked onto the Kiwi Experience Southern Round up for the 3 weeks we were there for. Buzzing and excited we left the office chatting about what silly antics we would be getting up to. Then we realised that we were hungry, of course. So we went into a cute little italian place (the first thing we found) and ordered. It was all find and dandy until a man walked in with a guitar. oh god. please dont be a serenader. please. But oh joy. He was. It was fine at first, he was just staying in one place. but then.. then he went over to table of girls. They sat awkwardly looking around whilst he sang, not ver well, right at them. Me and holly looked at each other and practically inhaled the rest of our food hoping we could leave before he came to us. But oh no, he came over. I think we both suddenly had the thought that if we ignore him, he'll go away. Eventually he did and im sure we each broke a rib trying hard not to laugh right in his greasy little face. We left the restaurant and made our way back to my car. "how funny would it be if i got a ticket" i said to Holly. I spoke to soon. We were walking along the sea front towards my car, and we noticed a removal truck in the road. "haha what wanker forgot to pay" i said. we laughed and walked on. Holly then said, "isnt that your car with the lights still on"..."Nahh.. cant be... its also got a ticket on but we paid and we're back intime..."i replied. "isnt that your car that that man's about to tow.." she answered back.
"noo.. cant be.. no.." it was.
I panicked, as i do, and screamed "ITS OK HOLLY. WE JUST WALK PAST. PRETEND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHO'S CAR THAT IS". She totally ignored my rational decision and ran flapping over to the man "STOP!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" The man looked up aghast, asking if it was her car. She then stopped and said, "no its hers" pointing at me frozen to the spot.
He then explained i had parked in a motorcylcle parking space. i was livid. i demanded there was nothing to suggest it was a motorcycle parking space, and it was unfair that i had a ticket. He then pointed at a huge sign above my head with a motorcycle on it. He then went and pointed at some writing by the space i had parked in. oh crap. I then babbeled on that he couldnt tow my car because i needed it to drive home. He said he wouldnt tow it but i had to pay the ticket and also... did i know my lights had been left on.
We drove home holly in stitches and me not terribly amused. I then went on to accidently drive into the other lane without realising on the dual carriage way, and almost running a red light. i just wasnt on form that day.
No biggie.
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