here come the nerves...

It's been awhile since I've been here and it's great to be back! My wife and I took a trip through quite a few midwestern states on our 'farewell jaunt' to see some scattered family. Then when we got home we had combined Pc/internet nightmares and all of this together kept me offline for three weeks.

Now I've got my ticket in hand for my trip to England to look for a job and a place to live. I'm coming up with just a bike and whatever I can stuff in the biggest duffle bag I can find (which I haven't bought yet). I won't have much money so it will be kind of like having a fire under my ass to keep me running.

I will be arriving mid-morning next Thursday in London, then getting myself to Waterloo station and then on to Bath, where I will be staying in a tent about two miles west of the City Centre in a campground situation that looks a lot nicer than the hostels I've found online in Bath/Bristol. I am heading that way on the vague notion that it looks very nice there, there seems to be somewhat lower unemployment than average and that I've simply got to pick somewhere on that great island to settle... My wife, who loves lukewarm showers in the tropics, wants to get as much sun as we possibly can as well, and that has certainly informed our decision.

I don't really know what I want to say or ask with this post, I reckon it has to do with my nerves starting to clench up as I approach the travel day. This is a big jump for me, and not knowing anybody over there I'm kind of scared that I could hit some depths of disgrace I could never have imagined in my American life. Yet, I know this is what I've got to do; better yet, the wife feels the same way so I am certainly blessed there. But I'm scared I will let her down and not be able to find even a meager existence upon which she can base her visa application. Lucky me, when I bring it up to her she reminds me that we simply have no choice but to follow that dream.

So has anyone felt similarly? Does anyone have any advice or admonishment? Anyone care to meet up in London or in Bath or Bristol or some point in between? Anyone know the best place an unskilled (unless you count art), uneducated (unless you count endless reading) 31 year old  with a Tex-Yank TV drawl could go looking for a job?

Firstly, let me just congratulate you on being so brave!  You are taking a huge step, and I really admire you for it!   

A good place to check out is the "On the Job" board.  The first couple of posts deal with job sites....I've visited that thread more times than I care to mention (and that's a lot, considering how badly I'm itching to leave my current job!). 

Keep us updated as to your progress!

This is a big jump for me, and not knowing anybody over there I'm kind of scared that I could hit some depths of disgrace I could never have imagined in my American life.

Hi Jim,Got to admire you for even attempting this,and if its any help just say the word and I'll e-mail you my phone number.We're quite a distance from Bath and with the kids I doubt I would be able to get down there, but at least if you get really stuck on something or just need someone to talk to feel free to call.

Dave

Now I've got my ticket in hand for my trip to England to look for a job and a place to live. I'm coming up with just a bike and whatever I can stuff in the biggest duffle bag I can find (which I haven't bought yet). I won't have much money so it will be kind of like having a fire under my ass to keep me running.

Man I fell your pain, I left FL a few months back, and am now in the house my Folks have in the Azores .. but comes November I will be going to the Uk with nothing more than a duffle bag and a laptop ..

Into a land I never saw, and wich whom I have no ties or friends .. wife will come later.

Altrought it's a scary trip, it's an exciting one .. if one fails, one fails, but if one suceeds .. Imagine the satisfaction

Good luck, and keep us posted,

[Mr Rogers sweater]
Your sense of adventure is great, and by taking this chance you'll have no choice but to succeed. Where there's a dream, there's always a way. But ya gotta have that dream or you'll just be standing at the crossroads going 'huh?' and not even know when the opportunity bus makes a stop.
[/Mr Rogers sweater]

We're near Bath, even passed by the camp ground we think is your temp home. It's lovely, in a great location, looks beautifully maintained. Too bad you're coming in another week's time because the weather these past couple days (and I understand for the next few days) is absolutely gorgeous. Sorta mid/high 70s, blue skies with a slight mix of non-threatening clouds. That is a sharp contrast to the week before...and the way the weather's been this summer, you can't even judge what the day's going to be like standing outside and looking at it yourself.

Have a great adventure!

Be sure to keep in touch. There's an Internet Cafe between the train station and bus station in Bath if you're not going to be connected otherwise:
http://www.clickcafe.zen.co.uk/
Nice for Bath, both stations are across the street from each other and in short walking distance to the city centre. That doesn't always happen in other places.

Into a land I never saw, and wich whom I have no ties or friends .. wife will come later.

I make the same offer I did to jim fat,Say the word and I'll e-mail you my phone number.

Dave

Thanks for the supportive words everybody-- it seems like the days are really speeding up as I approach next Wednesday! This forum has really turned out to be a golden discovery for me; the advice and support and all that have been truly invaluable!

That "On the Job" board really is a good resource, Lolabola. I've read your account of your spousal visa experience and it really helped relax my wife and I on what to expect. Your story and the others like it I've read from the thread make it seem a whole lot more do-able than it appears from the official information available online (which is the only information I've been able to find!).

Daver I'd like to take you up on that phone number, if you really don't mind. It would be very cool to have a friendly voice on the same continent! How did you wind up in the UK?

Nullmind, sounds like you're doing near the same thing I am. Do you have a job or destination there yet? I really hope to bring my wife up by December. Don't know how realistic that is, but I'll soon find out firsthand... Good luck to you.

LisaE -- The info about the net cafe is much appreciated, as I won't be bringing a computer with me. (Any idea how much it costs to use?) I've been watching the BBC weather reports for the area for months and wishing I wasn't here. How cold will it get in September-October from your experience?

Daver I'd like to take you up on that phone number, if you really don't mind. It would be very cool to have a friendly voice on the same continent! How did you wind up in the UK?

Jim fat,I've sent you an e-mail.

Dave

not necessarily cold, but always plan for damp and rain: bring a heavy sweater and a rain jacket!

Hi Jim,

For what it's worth, I thought I'd share a little "adventure" story with you.

When I was 21, I moved to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, alone, without a job, whatever I could fit into three suitcases and $750. 

The basis of my move was that I went on a cruise where St. Thomas was a port of call.  While on the island, I saw lots of young people working down there.  I was in need of a change and thought, why not?  If these people could do it, so could I.  Why not?... 

People thought I was nuts, but I did it anyway.  My feelings were that if things didn't pan out, I didn't have to stay.  I could always go back home.  Of course, the Virgin Islands are US territory so visas, etc. were not an issue.  But it's different in the Caribbean and it's a long way from Chicago for a 21 year old girl on her own who knew nobody there.

I guess my point in telling you this is that sometimes you just need to follow your dreams.  The dreams may pan out differently than how you expected, but it doesn't mean that things won't work out.  Let's face it, nobody knows what's around the corner anyway.  No matter what you experience in life, you'll come out better, smarter and stronger for it.  Good for you for taking a chance at life.

Incidently, I found a job a week after I arrived in St. Thomas.  I learned to scuba dive and sail and as a result of sailing, I made a transatlantic voyage on a 51 ft.  sailboat in '92 to commemorate the 500 year anniversary of Columbus' voyages.  I met lots of interesting people and survived Hurricane Hugo.  I had romance.  In the end, I stayed for three years.  It wasn't always beaches and sunshine (though often it was), but I really grew up and the experiences of those three years shaped who I am today.  Absolutely no regrets.

Good luck!

Good luck with everything Jim.  I second what Lola said

I really grew up and the experiences of those three years shaped who I am today. Absolutely no regrets.

 
I like that.  Awesome words Kellie.

Internet Cafe costs...not sure about that one, but they sure do keep coming down in price. They won't put a huge dent.

The Bath site doesnn't list prices (I'm sure you could email them to find out) but I did located one Internet Cafe in the UK and this is their price list:

Standard prices
5 minute e-mail check: 50p
15 minute session: £1.25
Half hour session: £2.00
One hour session: £3.00
Happy hour Monday - Saturday, 7:00pm - 8:00pm £1.50 full hour.

I also noted some London cafes were charging 4-5 pounds an hour...seems rather expensive, but then again, Bath might have London prices.

WOW Kellie - that is one heck of a story! I've always wanted to learn to sail but have felt too chickensh** to actually do it! Makes me wonder how you wound up in the UK... You're right, I'd have many more regrets if I didn't do it than if I did and I totally failed and f***ed up!

Thanks for looking up that info for me, LisaE! I tried to email that place you listed earlier, but I have been having bizarre digital problems lately. The accounts I have based in Outlook Express appear to be behaving normally, but they are not sending or receiving mail. I'll write 'em again here in the next twelve hours from another account -- thanks again!

So Jim

Didi you made it ok ?

Best of luck to you Jim.  Sounds like you've started on your adventure.  Now tell us all about it so far.  Gotta admit I'm hooked on hearing your story.