Made in Japan, Outsourced Globally

Okay, the eagle has officially landed in England. What greeted me at Birmingham Airport at 7:30 in the morning was a rather dreary weather and a smiling driver with a placard with my name on it.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. While the driver cheerily went on his way along the motorway, all I could think of was "Left, left, left." It was going to take a little getting used to. Especially when I had to be the one behind the wheel pretty soon. We passed by some green fields. Lots of trees. Sheep. Oh, and some more sheep. It had the quiet charm of the English country side. But my surprise came a little later that day...

By the end of the day, I was exhausted, overcaffeinated, and barely dragging my feet across the ground. And then came the biggie: the car. I will skip the embarrassment in the details, but I basicallly had to ask the rental place to take back their car and give me an automatic car instead. Yes, stooopid Americans don't know how to drive a geary. What's even worse, I really haven't had experience driving on the left-hand side of the road and looping on the roundabouts. (btw, I cannot stand those bloody roundabouts). I drove to the hotel with all the nerve-ends sticking out, because, quite frankly, theoretical and pragmatic driving are two different things. Left. Left. Left. Oh, bloody roundabouts...

However, the next morning, I somehow managed to turn up at the office in one piece. And my eyes couldn't help but wander at the side of the road, as I went down the most beautiful country road. The fields were flowing freely, and even the open space that unraveled in front of me like a quilt of different shades of green took my breath away. All in the light of the pink-ish, amber sky that is gently waking and nudging the baby-blue sky. Sheeps dotted the fields; the thin, branching trees; and the distant rooftops and chimneys of a neighboring town added to the landscape of a perfect morning. It was absolutely charming.

Well, enough with the dreaminess. I would be lying if I didn't say that I am still a little culture shock from the move. I felt less culture shock when I was in HK. It's funny how things work out that way.