West Yorkshire

After spending the past four days with my twin sister in Hemel Hempstead (North of London), she and my brother-in-law drove me north 3 1/2 hours to Elland in West Yorkshire to get me settled in my new home. I walked into a beautifully decorated, terrace house that immediately felt like home. Kelly had left me a basket of maps, take away menus and great information for the local area. Her mother left me some basic staples in the refrigerator so I could get by for a few days. Shortly after arriving, Kelly's dad and boyfriend Danny came over to explain some of the important details – for example, how to unlock and lock the front door, which uses a skeleton key. They showed me how to use the washer, which is in the kitchen where we would typically have a dishwasher in the US (and yes this means no dishwasher so I will learn to wash dishes by hand). There is also a drying rack outside to hang the clothes because dryers are a rarity in the UK. The house immediately felt warm and comfortable. As my sister said, "This house is perfect for you."
Today Kelly's parents, Kel and Joan, as well as Danny took me out for a traditional Sunday Lunch. We had meat, potatoes, vegetables, gravy and (of course) Yorkshire Pudding! They also gave me a tour of the area and showed me where I would be teaching. I have to say, the area is absolutely beautiful around the town. There are pockets of neighborhoods and houses surrounded by lush rolling hills of green grass and trees. There are short stone walls that divide up the fields that date back several centuries. The livestock roaming the fields include sheep, cows and horses. Each small hamlet has at least one pub and the roads are narrow and windy. There are many walking pathways that I look forward to exploring. One of the routes leads to Kel and Joan's house, which is only 1 mile away.
My experience with Kelly's family reminded me of why I am here. There were moments during the day when I had to pause and think, "I am really in the UK, eating UK food and having a wonderful experience with people who have lived here their whole lives." The knowledge and experiences that were shared with me in only a few brief hours made me feel a little more settled and centered in my new home. As I oohed and awed over the rolling hills and the breathtaking scenery, Joan reflected that these are the things they take for granted. It made me wonder what things I take for granted at home because they are just part of my daily scenery. It was a good day and I look forward to many more of them.