24 Hours In

London Bridge- Image taken by David Phelps

By David Phelps

“My thoughts initially, looking outside the plane, were of how bad the pollution was as we descended into Heathrow”, claimed New Zealand-born, Amanda Owen. “A really thick layer and smog overwhelmed me quite a lot”, said the 26-year-old, as she thought about the journey which stood ahead, and the loved ones she had left behind.

 Embarking into the big, wide-world, away from one’s roots can be an unnerving experience. It is much like the inevitable transition from childhood to adulthood, from boy to man, and girl to woman. Abounding numbers of young Aussies and Kiwis are flocking to London in what is seemingly a rite-of-passage amongst youth.

 Like vagrant-vagabonds, broad-minded youth are answering to their subconscious inner-calling from the motherland; and spending anywhere from six months to five years living and working in the sprightly-spirited city. Some never come home at all.

Amanda and Nick- Image courtesy of Amanda Owen

 “We grew a lot as people, and learnt all sorts of different things about ourselves, that I don’t think we would have learnt if we hadn’t moved to London”, said Amanda, who traveled with her partner, Nick Carson, 27. The couple took the plunge in 2006, and journeyed to the city; their expectations resting on images they had seen on television. “Seeing the backs of brick townhouses reminded me of what I had seen on Coronation Street, so yes it was exactly what I expected”, she joked. 

 “Two of our friends had met us at the airport, who had been living there for a year and a half”, said Nick. “They showed us the way to the underground Tube network, and we got the train to our hostel”. “Having never been on this kind of transport before, it was quite different for us”, admitted Amanda. “After being in London for a couple of weeks you soon learnt that it’s not ‘etiquette’ to speak on the tube, especially first thing in the morning”, she added, lightheartedly.

London By Night-Image courtesy of Amanda Owen

 With large numbers of Aussie and Kiwi youths adjusting their bearings for London, Amanda and Nick feel it is largely due to the locality of the city- being only a leap away from Europe. “Where else in the world can you base yourself, earn decent money and travel to every corner of the globe?” Amanda suggested. With large numbers of Australians and New Zealanders having British Ancestry they are entitled to a five year visa. Failing this, there is still the opportunity to apply for a working visa, which allows an Aussie or Kiwi to stay in Great Britain for a maximum of two years. “Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone, as well as party”, Nick added.

 Lorraine Hudson, a 23-year-old Australian, travelled briefly to London earlier this year and agrees that it is the perfect place for young people to base themselves. Lorraine believes that with the vast majority of people’s ancestry originating from the United Kingdom, there is a desire to pay tribute to that heritage. “It seems like something you should do to honor this heritage”, she asserted. “Australia has such an awesome visa system with England, you would be stupid not to live, work and play there for two years”.

 Bronte Coy and Jenna Bradwell, from Australia, agree that there is a strong appeal for youth to experience life through the worldly-eyes of a Londoner. Bradwell, 20, traveled to London during the last European summer and believes that the people share a similar sense of humor to our own. Furthermore, she admires the determination of Londoners who are fixed on ‘making it’ in the big city. “Everyone wants to work, succeed, and be someone- there’s such ambition and hope there”, she gushed.  

 Bronte, 20, pines for the likes of Notting Hill, Portobello Road Markets, Top Shop and Convent Gardens. “London is my favourite city”, she enthused. “Plans are underway to move there with a working visa next December.” Her conviction for this goal is held in the idea that London is the pinnacle-spot of the western world. “It seems so alive and happening, and people want to experience that for themselves- and they speak English, which makes it easier.”

 Amanda and Nick enthuse that if they were strapped for time, that 24-hours in London would be more than long enough to soak up many of the city’s unique offerings. Beginning with an early morning joyride on the London Eye, followed by a peep at the Globe Theatre and then a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park; Amanda feels this would be the perfect start to the day. “In the afternoon I would go to a museum- British and Imperial War Museum are both very interesting and very extensive”, said Amanda.

 Nick believes that an evening spent at Convent Gardens would be a fitting way to wrap up the day. “Convent Gardens for a nice dinner and happy hour”, he said. “Then I would party the night away until the early morning with friends and bar hop around the city”.

 The pair now realizes that London is certainly different to their original expectations. They thought that Londoners would be grumpy and rude. “If you were nice then you would be treated the same”, said Amanda. “Most had a really good character about them, and loved to ‘take the piss’ out of you if you were not from England”.

 They feel that the likelihood of their return to London in the future is high, but it would only ever be a short holiday to visit friends. “I think if we went back (to live) we would be chasing what we previously had, and I don’t think it would ever be the same”, said Amanda. “Better to leave the memories and experiences untainted”.

 Australia and New Zealand remain part of the top 15 countries in London’s recent overseas visitor statistics. Nearly 58% of visitors arrive during the European summer, between April and September. London continues to be the number one city for international tourism.