Hello from Me

By Helen Hwang on Feb 10, 09 01:34 PM in

Hello there! I’m Helen, new to Glasgow and the U.K. and everything about life in Europe. We moved to Scotland in October, just in time to experience a Scottish winter wonderland. Bear in mind, we moved from Philadelphia which is actually more of a frozen tundra this time of the year, contrary to people’s belief on both sides of The Pond.

I’ve settled in the North Kelvinside neighborhood of the West End, along with my husband and 4-year-old daughter. Though my hubby P is English, he hasn’t lived in these parts for 15 years, and I have to say, he’s actually missing America more than I am. You’ll find out how and why in later dispatches.

As for me, I was born in Taiwan and moved to the States as a toddler so I essentially grew up there and my thick American accent is as Yankee as it comes. Sometimes, though, some people look at me like I might as well be speaking Martian.

On the other hand, the lilting Scottish accent reminds me of the rhythms in Mandarin Chinese, which I also speak. I’ve traveled to 24 different countries, from Monaco to Mexico, from India to China, and I’ve seen everything from poverty to extravagance.

Scotland is a wonderful mix of openness and friendliness, along with some downright quizzical inconveniences. For example, no one can ever persuade me that draping clothes all over the inside of my flat is better than having a full-size dryer, no matter how many people try.

Join me as I explore Glasgow with a fresh set of eyes.