I arrived at Birmingham International Airport on a Sunday afternoon in October 04. Don't know what to expect and don't know what to see. Alone without knowing anybody nearby.
Luckily there was Lloyds HR manager waiting for me at the airport. It was quite a long wait for him as the flight was delayed for almost 1.5 hours. Some delay at Dubai Airport, a VIP's flight has to depart before us, so we have to queue up for the next line to take off.
Anyway, he took me to his car, we have a brief chat. I was tired after more than 14 hours flight. It was around 14 degree Celsius outside, not very cold but very windy.
From the airport, the car drove through an industrial area. We were heading to somewhere called Walsall. Hmm... have no idea where it is at that point, apparently that is going to be my home for the next 4 weeks. The company has arranged me to stay in a 3 stars B&B for 4 weeks before I settle down with my own accommodation.
Walsall- a small town situated at the North-West of Birmingham, in the region of Black Country which also consists of Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton. Walsall has a very unique community which comes from all backgrounds, religions and cultures. You can see Hindu temples, mosques, churches on the same street not far from each other. On my first few days there, I was quite surprise to see so many different races (Middle-East people, Pakistanis, Indians, etc) except westerners on the street.
I checked into the B&B, Abberly Hotel, an old Victorian building (I was a bit in shock to see such a place is awarded as 3 stars, I thought 3 stars should have a reasonable good standard! And being just stayed in Singapore Changi Airport Village-4 stars, with brand new facilities and fascinating bath room, my brain has not switched back yet.) However, it is not that bad, have a small bath, central heating, double bed, coffee table, 34cm TV and my window look out to the back yard of the B&B (i.e. no street view!)
After leaving my luggage in the room, the HR manager left me to rest. I felt very very isolated and lonely. In a strange town, in a small and old room, what do I do? I decided not to go out (actually still feeling in shock, not sure where am I? Where to start? Why am I here?...), instead go to sleep to cure my jet-leg and to heal my feeling.
picture: Abberly Hotel - my 1st accommodation in the UK
