So here I am back in the UK after over 2 years of living in South Korea and boy has it changed. The money looks different, half of Soho has shut down and you now have to pay an extortionate amount of 5p for a plastic bag. What happened Britain?! Next you’ll be telling me that you’ve left the European Union or something crazy like that! …oh wait! :/
Leaving Korea was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be. The last few days were filled with goodbyes, an enormous amount of packing and definitely some moments of contemplation and reflection. It was in those last few days that it all hit me, the people I’d met, the experiences I’d had and most importantly the life that I had made for myself there. Korea had become home, and now I was to leave this country not knowing when (if ever) I would return.
After a few hysterical outbursts, I finally managed to wipe away the tears just enough to see my way on to the plane safely, and fly back to the UK in one piece. It has been a bit of a whirlwind over the last few weeks seeing all of my friends and family and also meeting a lot of new people too, so I’ll try and break it down for you as best I can. The first week was spent in Wales with my partners family, who were all lovely. Wales is a lot different to what I remember (weather excluded). I explored caves, went back in time to St Fagans and had an amazing couple of days in Cardiff. It exceeded my expectations and it is definitely a place I will happily be visiting again in the future.
Fastest food in the world! SCONE!
The beautiful Welsh countryside.
The week after was spent in Brighton with my wonderful family. We had a great time dressing up as Victorians in the beautiful English countryside, enjoyed a day out in glorious Brighton exploring the lanes and the sunny seaside, and we even had time for an ice cream on the pier. We spent a few crazy days in London town where we had a well deserved spa day, saw some West End shows and just relaxed in a park or two catching up with old friends, before my partner flew away on her own adventure to Laos, and I headed back home to Brighton.
Brighton Pier.
That London town.
Transport for London?
In the weeks that followed I went camping in the New Forest, spent a rainy day walking around the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, and caught up with an awful lot of people all over my home county of Sussex. So as you can imagine I am now exhausted! However, it has been absolutely wonderful to see so many people and explore so much of the UK, and it is definitely a place I am proud to call home.
Stonehenge!
Tomorrow morning I will set off to Gatwick Airport and board a flight back to Asia to start a new life in the wonderful country of Taiwan. I am extremely excited for this new chapter to begin but I am also a tad nervous so fingers crossed it will all work out. I suppose the only way to find out is to just jump in head first and go for it! So see you soon Taiwan! But first, it would be rude not to make a little pit stop in Thailand now wouldn’t it? Just for a cheeky week? Oh go on then! Next stop, Bangkok...
