Don't get me started......

First of all I miss my family and friends. I dont have many close friends here because.... well that is another story

I miss the beach... the smell of the sea...... the tropical breezes...... even the rain is different back home.

I miss the friendly faces you see on a daily basis..... I miss getting in my car and driving where ever I please (dont have a car now, so dont drive anywhere!!!)

I ESPECIALLY MISS the smooth,professional,and efficient approach to the operation of the social services.

barbflagbarbflagI miss the social life......... I miss CROP - OVER & KADOOMENT........the WET FETE, BERGER BOYS CRUISE, THE BIG CATAMARAN CRUISE, PARTY MONARCH FINALS.......

I miss pudding & souse, conkies and flying fish................

I miss ....... I WANT TO GO HOOOOMMMEEEEblktearsblktears

Black_power,

If I were to make my home in the UK, I would miss

1) Some foods like grits , chicken wings and eggs( Sometimes I eat it for breakfast)

2) The warmth of Southern people saying " hello"and speaking to youout of nowhere.

3) Small town charm. I know that London has the world of people there and I like to live in smaller , more tranquil places, not quite like Mayberry, but almost like that.

4)Being able to go from one place to another without spending another bus fare for it( I'm not sure about London transit, for all I know you guys may do the same thing)

5) The sun and picking apples and peaches off the tree.

actually born and raised in Paris but my heartseems to be in Guadeloupe...that's why i miss the weather..you cant find any personthat hates the winter and snow more than i do:P...already as a kid i spent the winter days at home waiting for spring

Black_power wrote:

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Okay just take oneexample--- the health service....

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I went to the doctor's surgery and while i was there tried to make an appointment for a different matter. Nurse said no problem, they do not make appointments but I could just come in at such a time on any Thursday. Now the last thing I asked before I left was if there was anything I needed to do/bring and she said no.

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Thursday comes and I go to the surgery bright and early for my test after much to-ing and fro-ing,receptionist tells me the Nurse wont be available, she is fully booked. Huh?!? THEY TOLD ME 2 WEEKS AGO NO APPOINTMENTS JUST WALK IN this after I took time off work just for this reason.

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Anyway, I'm calm, I'm calm so I try to get a definite time set, and after about another 10mins office manager who I had to call after the receptionist started to get on my nerves allowed me to know I wont be able to get test bcos I am not on their register as a permanent patient, so she didnt know this 2 weeks ago when she was looking at my details on screen? sh!t!I ask why is this? Oh its because they cannot confirm my address and therefore would not be able to fwd any results?? wtf??

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Why would I go for a screening and NOT be around for the results. Dont get me wrong, I understand the rationale behind the basic rule ie preventing foreigners from obtaining free medical care. But pray tell, they have records of my birth cert., passport, etc etc when I registered albeit as a temporary patient (I have only been back here for 2 years)

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Ok fair enough, but when I tried to go to a private hospital they tell I MUST have a local GP, its like being on some damn merry-go-round running from pillar to post any NO ONE can give any advice on ANYTHING.

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I feel like going back home just to visit the doctor!

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***chupse**** big health service operating like a one-door chip shop!!

Also took nearly 2 damn yr to get a current account, damn salary going in every month and they tellingme shite!!

Lowlife incompetents.....

niceness - i totally relate to the social service thing.. seems everything is driven by the almighty $$ and red tape.. register here, get a GP in your area only bla bla.. almost impossibile to see a specialist by choice.. must have a referral - even though you´re willing to pay.. grrrr..

back home private practice is the norm, and a doctor/nurse will simply take cash if you´re not insured.. they will also talk to you, like a normal human being, not a number.

but it goes way beyond medical - I miss the full service gas stations.. where I never need to get out of my vehicle but drive away with a full tank, oil checked, windows washed etc.. standard fare, delivered with a smile

eating out - I miss being asked if i´m enjoying my meal, or if anyone can get me something.. currentlyI gotta wave at a waiter and hope he decides to wander within earshot..

small things - but a little politeness goes one hell of a long way.

ok - *deep breath* - thats not what I miss most.

I miss being the majority. I catch myself seeing a suited up black man and thinking "good - he´s going places" when in fact, home is a country full of suited upmen and I never blink twice at them. It is as if prejudism is slowly creeping up on me in this foreign environment.. brainwashing me to conform, making me conciously struggle to NOT conform to the misconception of blacks in the EU.

So.. I miss not being able to just be black - I gotta be black AND proud AND have racially rooted opinions AND fight/recognize injustices etc - just being a regular black person isnt enough.

I miss family... talking on a veranda with 3 generations of your people interacting with you...

you can't beat that...

Looking at a media where I can see people who actually reflect me...

The fact that people do the best to be happy whatever is going on... not this miserable city mindset... of having virtually everything on a plate... but complaining, bitching, and whining about it at the same time...