The Journey - Part 1

Image by: Sarthak Kapoor

It was always a dream for me to study abroad, to be in any place other than the Asian Continent. I always thought the people out there was superior in some way or the other. The places were beautiful, calm, quiet and the Universities reputed. Hence decided to go on the beautiful adventure of my life called Masters. Resigned the job that I pretty much loved and the people around me to explore a new place and to meet new people.

Welcome to Glasgow - a small town in Scotland. A town revolving around the universities, there would be very few locals that I have met over my short span of stay here - its a place filled with students from around the world. The weather here is the best part, it changes within the snap of a finger. Rain is always on standby just waiting to pour down. If it's a sunny day, that would be the talk of the town. There are no extreme cold spells and you get to see some snow.

Staying in Maclay's, a student accommodation provided by the university which does not even allow you have candles nor fairy lights - kinda tragic. My first night in Maclay's, It's only then that I realized even though having boasted about staying alone in a hostel doing my undergrad where my room was shared with flatmates, I have never really have stayed alone-alone. An en-suite just for myself and a common kitchen to be shared among 4 random strangers, can things get any better.

During the initial days, it was all about meeting people, it ended up being mainly from the "Indian group". People from all over India was here and a huge lot of us. The place was filled with all sort of patriotic groups from around the world. Everyone had so much of love for their country and people,  was touched.

Food has always been something that am extremely fond and affectionate about. It can make me go from delighted to downhearted effortlessly and vice-versa.  It's always been fish and chips when you talk about U.K nothing more nothing less. Fish and Chips does get to you in a while, hot battered haddock with fries on a rainy cold day - tempting. There is more than just fish and chips, Scotland is famous for their Haggis and Black pudding. Haggis is not as bad as the ingredients sound, it tasted pretty good just like the mutton liver dish that we cook back home - Kerala. Since the place is filled with international students there are a lot of authentic restaurants from all over the world. I ended up trying Chinese, Vietnamese, North Indian cuisine all unaltered by any other cuisines.

After the initial 2 weeks, having realized eating out every day is not an option; its time to start cooking. Being always fascinated by the healthy lifestyle and having thought that it would be easier to follow only if everyone around me was eating healthy and that being the sole reason for me not being healthy. But now definitely I can be healthy why not. Hence the grocery shopping - Brown bread, Brown rice, vegetables, fruits what not. Bringing out my full-fledged cooking skills.

This should be like a series, not going to finish anytime soon. Hence coming to the end of the first series. Adios Amigos.