Everybody has a story

I came to this country with my own unique story. A story I hoped to share with others. My own unique point of view of my life and what I do in that life.

The reason why I came to London was to discoverer what was on offer. Have I found what was on offer? Will I ever? I guess time will tell and discovering it is all part of the fun.

Being here I have met many others just like me - Travellers, students, ex-pats, new pats.  People who also have unique stories ready to share.

I have decided to create a little series of collections, featuring people like me telling you their story.

Week 1 - The Fiancé 

I’m a jet set playboy from Sydney living it up in London town. Well maybe not the playboy bit. I’m a telco engineer with my main passions being travel, music, food and sport.

So following the path not often travelled by Aussie's  I moved over to London to see this side of the world, eat the best food Europe has to offer, go to as many concerts as possible and see as many sporting events the bank manager will allow…and of course sharing the experience with my fiancée.

I want to be a musician, but I don’t have the voice or the fingers. So I aim to be best engineer in my field until I work out if I’m really good at anything else - I love eating, so maybe there is something there.

How did you get to be living in London?

We wanted a change from the life we were living in Sydney, so we resigned from work, packed up the unit, rented it out and booked our tickets to London. 

What helped you make this decision?

My friends, family and fiancée all pushed us to do it when we mentioned the idea. Also the Europe trip I went on when I was 21. I always planned to move back one day - it only took 8 years.

Who encouraged you? Who didn't encourage you? What was the feeling from your family and friends?

Everyone encouraged us, well other than my parents who didn’t want to lose us to the other side of the world.

Why London? Explain you love? If it wasn’t here where else would it be? Why isn't it there?

Because it’s the only place I can get a visa and it’s the only language I am fluent in.

I would love to live in Rome or Paris, but for a change of scenes somewhere like Africa or Central America would be great.

Are you happy with your situation here in London? Work, love, friends,  social?

Yea, I am loving London. I have found some great friends who love to party and check out new places.  I have also found a great and challenging job.  I’m caught in 2 mind sets - one to just work to pay the travel bill, the other to progress in my career.

It’s also been fairly easy as I've had my fiancée sharing the experience and keeping me company when I was bored and friendless. I do miss my family and friends back home a lot, but it’s fun meeting new people.

What goes on in your flat during the week? Do you rent alone, random share? Was it always like this? Where were you before? Do you feel a connection with the area you live in? Why/why not?  Name your favourite places in your area you can recommend to others.

Not much! We get home fairly late, so I make dinner or get takeaway. We relax and watch TV.

I tell myself to pick up the guitar or a book every night instead of watching TV, but the brain doesn’t act.

We live in West Hampstead, which is a nice part of town. I would like to move closer to the city, but if I was to live here permanently, it would be fine.  The area is nice due to the parks and the good transport links to town.  I Love the cafes in Hampstead, especially The Wet Fish, as it has great coffee and delicious brunches.

What is your favourite memory so far living in London?

One of the best experiences has been the Pret-A-Diner pop restaurant in the Old Vic Tunnels. It was an amazing venue underneath London in the old tube tunnels. The tunnels were transformed for 2 weeks to a Michelin star restaurant. The food was amazing with probably the best steak I have ever sunk my teeth into. I don't know what the Japanese do with their cows, but the 3 star meat was unbelievably soft.

Are you constantly wearing something in particular at the moment? Why? Do you always do that?

Hmm, skinny jeans and brown shoes. 

What are you anticipating at the moment?

I am anticipating our first European F1 trip to Barcelona. I can't wait to eat tapas and then have a lazy Sunday afternoon in the Sun watching the Formula 1.

The best colour in the world is…?

Blue. I seem to own a lot of Blue clothing. The missus is always trying to style me up in bright colours, but I always seem to come home with blue.

Fantasy question – if you could live in another era, be another person, have a secret talent, what would they be?

I think I should have been born in the 40s in USA. To grow up in the rockin’ 50s and 60s while cruising around in my Mustang is my dream.

Would you change anything in your life?

Maybe being more active, as I haven't participated in any sports since moving here.