So I decided it was about time I started a blog here, to keep a record of my visions and thoughts here. Moving from North West England to South East of the US was a daunting prospect at first, but now that I feel I've settled in I can start to get a feeling of what's going on around here.
So how are things here? First of all, the urban jungle of Georgia is very different from Lancashire. Things are further apart, and there's no feeling of living on top of each other, which I did feel a sense of in Accrington. The scenery here is lovely, looking out the back garden there's greenery as far as the eye can see. That's probably because it backs onto a golf course. Those of you who play World of Warcraft can imagine it looking like the area of Goldshire, similar trees, subtle paths here and there and lots of wildlife. Birds are abound, squirrels are in nearly every tree, there's even wild rabbits hopping about from time to time.
Turning right at the top of the street is the highway leading to Interstate 16, which ends at the coast in Savannah. Between here and there is farmland, countryside and few signs of heavy population. And it shows it many ways. The first thing I noticed is the night sky - it's much clearer, you can see many more stars than back in the UK, which is clearly down to the lack of pollution here. The air actually tastes and smells cleaner. It's easy to sit in the back garden and watch nature do it's thing mostly undisturbed.
So how are the people here? Very friendly, it's easy to chat to a stranger waiting in line or strike up a chat with a cashier at a store. The big difference is the kinds of people here. First of all, no chavs. None at all, they don't even know the concept, and hopefully never will. I can remember when the streets of Accrington were a safe place to be until the turn of the century when society started churning out that kind of idiot. Here it's different. Sure you get the odd idiot, but you really have to go your way to find them. People are a lot more casual, relaxed, laidback and well, happy here. The whole thing of family values is still alive and well here in Georgia, respect for your elders, waving to the neighbours, saying 'pardon me' if you're in someone's way. Very nice to experience that again.
I don't have a work permit yet, so I haven't joined the thrill of the daily rat race yet. I'm kinda living that through the wife at the moment. Hopefully my opinions of things don't change once I start working. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into work again, it's been frustrating to not have a routine and I'm a bit concerned that I'll turn into a lazy bum if I'm not careful (yeah yeah, I know what some of you are saying now!)
I've zero regrets thus far about my big upheaval and move here. I was feeling strangulated in Accrington, though if you ask me what specific element caused that, I couldn't say. Something in the atmosphere which is not present here is the best I can describe at the moment. It's easier to breathe, be yourself and aim for goals here. I'm missing the social aspect immensely though. Going from the weekly visit to the Sir Charles Napier and having a Guinness and a natter with whoever was about is something I miss dearly, and I've yet to find a near equivalent here.
That's probably enough for now. Feel free to ask me stuff so I can reply in future blogs. I just wanted to get things off the ground here. So from PeteyPie, it's an Eh Up Y'all to you lot out there!
