immigration text

The Red Squirrel

“I am a little red squirrel.  I used to like it here in England until the grey squirrels came.  Once they raided my whole acorn stash while we were hibernating.  There are not many of red ones left now.  We have a special cage where the grey squirrels can’t steal our food.  I quite like it her but it’s a shame all my friends starved and only a few of us can saty here.”          I am RED.

Eastern European immigrants 
The new additions to the British workforce - the serge of these European imports – the Poles & their mates.   For the last 6 years my part time job during holidays and weekends has been labouring for a builder.   It’s hard work but ultimately satisfying.  Being in that environment you discover whether or not those typical clichés about the building trade are true.  One of the latest talking points seems to b the insurgence of the polish fellas that make the long trip over across Europe & the channel to work for a better pay.  We use the local merchant yard to Nottingham, a firm called Key. About 2 years ago instead of being greeted by the usual shitty local dialect, it was the broken English of an eastern European.  Nice fella, always friendly and a lot more use than some of the dead head tossers that didn’t seem to give a shit. Unfortunately the productive , friendly foreigner wasn’t very popular down on the yard because the rumours of him working for a fraction of the price.  This obviously scared the wits out of the local lads because of the way I saw it was either they pull their fingers out of their arses and became useful for a change or b replaced by an enthusiastic hard working foreigner. Half the price, twice the quality of job.  The irony of it is that instead of finding motivation in the introduction of a competitive edge. They did the total opposite and stood around having a natter about it. 

Getting Out

I want to leave the UK as soon as possible. My future lies elsewhere.   I’m tired of the same old scenery, the buildings, the cars, even the people. People come for a ‘better’ life, promised riches and comfortable living conditions. Is Britain that great? I’ve lived heer all my life and dream of pastures new , am I that different to them?  New York, Barcelona, Marseille, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Los Angeles, Munich anywhere but here.  These place have what I call culture, whereas the culture where I live now is base around reality TV and microwave dinners, manufactured pop music and constantly working to make our lives better, while those who don’t work take the tax money of those who do.  Do the hard working people who come to our great Britain know this before thy come.  Will I find out that my future destinations, economy, communities and culture are just as tainted as that of my motherland?  If so will I come back with a new found respect for this country and it’s little foibles?  Will Britain ever be great in my eyes?

 

Island hopping to birds migration patterns...

Having lived abroad for a large part of my life - wanting home comforts around me - importing what we know. Is this right or should we embrace the unknown.  Or is it a natural genetic need to move about and explore.  Every single one of us are migrators, constantly moving around - whether it be leaving the house in the morning or moving to the other side of the world. Things people, places are constantly coming and going in our lives, all having an effect on us, swapping who we are as individuals. how different would life be if we all stayed where we were born and had all the same -friends/associates through life. Who would we be then? I have lived in Hong Kong - I have travelled the world and I believe the importing and exporting of family/friends/experiences and places who I am today. 

Migration, Importing/Exporting ones self is natural - so should be embraced!

Grass is greener?

Why do we have such a strong desire to leave the country, when so many other nationalities want to live in our country?   Why do we grow so restless about leaving the country? Jet off half way round the world to escape our lives for two weeks every summer.  Brits are so obsessed with escapism we forget to enjoy our own land, own traditions, luxuries, landmarks,  natural resources. 

Ever dreaming of a better life abroad - better weather, food, quality of life.