MENORCAN PEOPLE ABROAD

IES JOSEP MIQUEL GUARDIA Marina Romero and Lidia Mascaro 1st year sixth form

Coral Romero has been living in London for one year

RECORD CARD

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH ALAIOR in 1982

STUDIES: A-LEVELS AND 2 years of Nursery at University

JOB: WAITRESS

SHE LIVES IN: LONDON

MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE

CHILDREN? NONE

LONDON AREA: 1.577,3km² POPULATION: 14,000,000 LANGUAGE : ENGLISH COUNTRY: UNITED KINGDOM CURRENCY: POUND GOVERNMENT: PARLIAMENTARY MONARCH HOW FAR IS IT FROM MENORCA?ABOUT 1.325,29 KM

London, the capital of both England and United Kingdom, is a city of contrasts. A city where the classic English gentleman, with his peculiar hat, shares the underground wagons with punks. A place where discos and the most innovative and modern clubs of the world coexist with its own political institution. Where the classicism of its taxis and double decker buses complement a city which has 6 modern airports and railway facilities.

All these things have led London to be one of the most admired and visited cities in the world. But if you wish to have a clear idea of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares, but you should also walk around the innumerable little lanes and courts. It’s not in the showy evolutions of buildings, but in the mixed raced inhabitants that mingle together, which make London such an amazing place to live. With this interview we want to show the future visitor what London can offer, and also explain some personal experiences of a Minorcan inhabitant in London. Welcome.

Where do you live? How long have you lived in London? I have lived in London for almost a year. I live in the North West of the capital, near the University of Midlesex. The area is quiet and it’s about an hour from the center by underground.

How were your beginnings in the country? Did you have any difficulties to get used to it? The first time I arrived in the UK was in 2004. I lived in the Lake District, a natural area in the north of England.

At the beginning it was a little bit difficult to get used to it because I didn’t understand the people. I had studied English at school, but all I did was basically grammar. Speaking and understanding English people is much more difficult that sitting in class and listening to your teacher; England’s like Spain, they speak slang, "street language" therefore it’s difficult at the very beginning.

After some time I moved to Edinburgh in Scotland . It was a big change because I lived in a small village and then I went to the capital of Scotland. Although there are some that say that people in Edinburgh and Scotland are unfriendly, that’s not true. People are very nice, both in Scotland and in Edinburgh, which is a lovely city and country to visit and to live, the only problem is that it’s very cold!

What do you like the most of the city? London is a very big city and there are plenty things to do and see, such as walking around Camden Town, Covent Garden, shopping in Oxford Street, Soho, or visiting China Town. You can see exhibitions at the British Museum or the Art Galery, too. Or seeing the changing of the guard at the Buckingham Palace...

What about the people? What are they like? The inhabitants of London deserve special attention They’re always respectful, polite and friendly to visitors, that make you feel as if you were at home. That’s always difficult in a city where different ethnic and cultural backgrounds coexist. That’s what makes London a cosmopolitan city.

Are there many foreigners in the area where you live? The area where I live is full of colleges and universities, most people are not European. There is also a large Orthodox Jewish and Hindu community, it’s curious to see them with their characteristic beard and hat, and children with short hair and their curls on each sides of the face.

What about the nightlife? ? It is lively? Although I don’t go out much at night, because I haven’t much time, I’ve got to say that London has an extraordinary nightlife, there are always parties!

Is the weather as wet as everyone says? This winter has been very cold and there was more snow than rain, but the truth is that here it rains a lot.

What can you say about the transport? The public transport, although it’s expensive, is essential in a city like London. There are 9 subway lines (the Overground), besides the train and the bus, day and night. Now they are refurbishing some lines of the subway, which means that there are many delays, but it usually works fine.

How often do you travel to the island? Since I’m in England I haven’t come back to the Island. I suppose I might visit Menorca in April.

What do you miss the most from Menorca? The sun, the bread and family and friends, of course.

Is there any possibility to return to Menorca? Always.