Thirty One Years Later

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Thirty One Years Later

Thirty One Years Later

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

It was with eyes wizened with years that I take in the English scenery this morning as  the taxi drove us through the autumn scene from Heathrow to our apartment in North London. Ironically I did not compare this experience with the last time I was in England exactly thirty one years ago but with my first landing as a wide eyed teenager an additional eleven years earlier. I remember that experience vividly, the apple trees and the English cottage-like houses that lined the lanes took the sixteen year old boy with much awe. Leave aside it was my first trip on an aeroplane and alone at that on a journey that crossed thousands of miles. I was glad however the BOAC stewardesses did not hang a “child travelling alone” placard round my neck like they did to the poor little English boy they sat next to me on the plane trip from Kuala Lumpur. I also remembered the thrill of transiting at Rome airport where I bought a post card and stamp to write home to Granny and Grandad. I was supposed to have left earlier with the entire family in February of 1971, when Dad took up a Diplomatic post in London. However Dad volunteered me to stay back at MCKK with a certain MCE- taking elder brother who in spite of his tantrums failed to convince Dad to allow him to go earlier. So it was with a pleasant surprise I received a telegram in June from Dad asking me to come as quickly as possible as my school year in London starts in September.

I did not have much occasion to return to London since I left as a student in 1982. So it was also a pleasant surprise recently when fate occasioned me to return this time on a work commitment. I am adviser cum consultant to a certain English company interested in Islamic finance. I looked benignly at the three little seasoned travellers travelling with wife and me. At such a tender age they have seen more of the world than Dad ever had occasioned to at their age.

We sidestepped the hotels scene and decided to try the current craze of staying in city stay apartments. We found a delightful little apartment in North London allowing the kids to experience the true English suburbia lifestyle. The transport cost to Central London will of course be a bit pricey but then we already made a hefty saving compared to the costs of a city centre accommodation. There is much work for me to do in the days ahead but the kids will survive I’m sure as foreign places seems just a different environment for them to play games on the Ipad and Mum’s phone in. Of course the usual London attractions will be on the itinerary for them including a weekend trip to a certain foreign capital in a train that goes underneath the sea.  But for now it will be parks and ponds to the tune of singing magpies in English suburbia. The days ahead will also be much trips down memory lane for Dad. May Allah make it easy for Dad in his work and we return safely home for other responsibilities.

Wassalam,

Zahid