UK Trip 2015 - The Journey

The journey began with a pleasant flight to Heathrow Airport from KLIA via MH001, our national carrier. I was being served with utmost politeness by a steward called Fadzil (I think so). I must say that MAS has given priority to its' Muslim flyers by offering a space for prayer. Sitting at the tail end was an advantage for me since it is easier to access to the designated area without having to go through other people's seats.

So, it was Heathrow, London in particular is an alien land to me. Having to sort out things on your own was not fun but I was glad that I had managed to do so, although once a while I had gotten lost. Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, I made myself familiar with the place and headed for the local sim card counter. They had problem fitting the sim card into my basic handphone but Thank God I had my smartphone with me, and so the new sim card went in there instead.

I followed the instruction given by the host on which tube to take and where to stop. The place is Turnpike Lane. It is the few last stops to the end of the line. It was quite a long ride but it has been a new unforgettable experience for me and I had enjoyed it. The only thing that I hated was to have to carry my 25 kg suitcase up the steps since the station did not have any elevators or escalators.

Turnpike Lane  is amazingly gorgeous although I have to look for the Mini Cab place high and low until I finally found it after searching for almost 10 minutes. It cost me 5P to the host's house, which is just 10-15 minutes away by foot, depending on how fast you walk. We went to the wrong house at first, and finally got the right address at 90 Downhills Way.

 

My host is a Chinese lady, Yongyi whom have quite limited English proficiency. The room was not ready when I arrived since the other guest has just  checked out. So, I waited at the room downstairs since there is no lounge to sit around. Kitchen was not clean though, not so pleasant sight to see. Yongyi was then busy running around cleaning the place and I had managed to chat with her a bit although with much difficulty. I was a bit shocked when she said she is suffering from cancer and that she is receiving her treatment accordingly. Then only I realised, that may be one of the reasons she may need to earn that extra dough for living by renting rooms in the house to strangers.

So, when I finally got the room, the adventure had begun. I had to carry my 25 kg luggage up the 18 steps staircase which nearly killed me but Yongyi was nice enough to help.

Stairs that nearly killed me

Room was nice, just to fit a little gal with a big bag. It was not so spacious but I still had some space to move about. What I love about it is that it has its' own window that oversees the road and the houses fronting our house. Beautiful sight to watch, with lines of trees and plants along the road.

My little room

The view from the window

We only have one bathroom to share amongst all occupants, so, no long showers are allowed. And being Malaysian, a dry toilet is difficult to achieve but I had managed it well. So, I got ready for Zuhur prayers and Jama' Asar too before leaving for the city to hunt for tickets to Sheffield.

I braved myself in the cold down the street not knowing which way to take to the Undergound station. So I had taken the wrong turn but a man was kind enough to tell me that I was in the wrong direction. And so I walked through the other side of the road, trying to remember exactly what the man had told me - go straight and you will see a green house with a big bird and there will be some allotments there too, and go all the way straight and you will see the station. I was trying to figure out what is the green house and the big bird is all about and was so amazed to actually see the house he had meant - the side of the house was painted green with a mural of a big bird on it. Awesome and I love it so much.

So I walked and I walked, admiring every single view that I see since it is new to me. Murals were seen along the walls to the station, very nicely done. Some black kids were seen playing at the side of the road. This area is a black area but they were all nice people who only mind their own businesses. And finally I had reached the station after that confusing walk I had.

 

I was not sure which train to take to Victoria Station and just like before, a nice man at the station (a Singh guy) had helped me sorted out where I should stop and change the trains etc. So, I took the train to St Pancreas and bought the train ticket to Sheffield that had cost me GBR 40P and then based on the map that I have, I walked down to Victoria Station. It was quite a walk away and I had decided train will be a better option to travel to and from Sheffield than by a coach.

It was already late and I had decided to make my way back to Turnpike Lane. So, I took the train back home and with a growling stomach, I walked down to a Halal Kebab Store. I ordered a big kebab serving and had ended up having to pack half it which then I had it as my breakfast the next morning. Performed both Maghrib and Isya' prayers before hitting the sack since I am to  tour London the next day, on my last day.

To be continued