Journal Page of an Immigrant: Memories From the United Kingdom

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We were seven, from different corners of the world, gathered by dreams in the same workplace. So young and unexperienced, naïve to many extents, yet determined and cheerful. Long working hours, six days a week, commuting between two cities, often saw us exhausted without much power left end of the day. But we were united, and to what we knew – supportive, after all, we were all sailing the same boat. 

It took us time to stop quivering at every post on Facebook from the ones back home, from wondering if we took the right decision and if it will be worth the sacrifice. We lost so many moments with the loved ones, and with some we lost them forever… It took us time to accept all these. The port at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh, with its seabirds and comforting winds, used to be our sanctuary when we could afford ourselves a break during the day. There was so much beauty in front of us, and still, we were so parted in seeing it. 

Glasgow, on the other hand, was to us the vivid and lively place. Aside of making us doubt our abilities in English due to its strong dialect (also referred to as Glasgow patter), the city proved to be a heaven for history, art and traditions. And once you re-learn to speak the language, you can discover the warmest people with the most inspiring stories – because listening was a significant aspect to our sales job. 

With time we got used to the routine and we tried, as we could, to make our days somehow special. Every one of them was different. We have learned so much, about us and the others. And we were often surprised at the welcoming received. The time was not an enemy anymore and we slowly started to embrace our new life. We did so for most part of the year, but then, there are the holidays where time is once again a burden…

It was 25^th of December 2013. We had no energy, nor the motivation for any work whatsoever. You actually feel how your eyes fill with tears every time when passing by visitors would wish you – Happy Holidays! You would encounter a white jealousy witnessing the euphoria around and - God! how they knew to show it! In no other place before we have seen people walking with handwritten lists filled with potential gifts for the dear ones. Everything was so beautiful, but at the same time it made us feel so empty. And you had to smile and compress your feelings, as otherwise it was unacceptable. 

Yet, humans have an incredible ability of absorbing the energy around and with it, the sense of reading thru what is seen. They know to calm inner storms and to bring rainbows instead. I don’t think we actually realized when we started receiving holiday cards. But I remember as being yesterday when Anna started crying with joy when someone brought her a teddy bear as a gift for her daughter back home. There was also Androula who hand-made some beautiful bracelets for all; Ewan, who insisted it was his daughter’s idea to bring us fragranced candles; Fiona who asked her caregiver to assist her in seeing us - as she uses a wheelchair due to a disability; The people from Costa who cheered us with coffee. And many, many others. 

Perhaps that day was not the best we have ever had, but certainly it was the most meaningful. To be noticed, when you are not able to do so for yourself. The warmth received, the expressive words put into cards, the altruism and the humanity. Such a unique and surprising society! This is how I want to remember the UK, or at least… Scotland.

Note: The name has been changed to protect the privacy of individual.