‘My visit to London England’.
English: Buckingham Palace in London, England. taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. Français : Le Buckingham Palace à Londres, en Angleterre au Royaume-Uni. Photo prise par moi-même avec un appareil Canon 5D et un objectif 24-105mm f/4L IS. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
London Wheel – London (Photo credit: @Doug88888)
A multi segment panoramic image of the London skyline from the Bermondsey banks of the Thames. Français : Image panoramique de Londres depuis les rives de la Tamise. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Dome of the Saint Paul’s Cathedral seen from Tate Modern, London, England Français : Coupole de la Cathédrale Saint-Paul de Londres vue de Tate Modern, Londres, Angleterre (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
London – Some places always take a good picture – London (Photo credit: @Doug88888)
English: The City of London skyline as viewed toward the north-west from the top floor viewing platform of London City Hall on the southern side of the Thames. In the foreground: Dixie Queen and Millennium Time at Tower Millennium Pier. This is a 5 segment panoramic image taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I was always interested to go to London.I knew in my heart,it may not be easy to go there,judging from the fact it cost a lot to go for a visit.My only option was somehow I have to get a scholarship to fulfill my dream.
You see I was never a star student,I hated to learn everything by heart i.e rote memory.I always knew,there was no way I am going to take my books and keep reading a passage until I could write it down word for word.I felt I should read the page more than once and try to figure out,how much I have retained and do I comprehend the paragraph or the page.Surely I said I will only be able to answer the questions if I understood what I have read.This was my way of learning.
Time was passing by famously,I was able to successfully complete my degrees,Meanwhile I spent some quality time reading the classified adds.To my surprise I saw what I was looking for,The British Council was awarding scholarship to London,England.There were varied subjects,my interest was to apply for,’Teaching English As A Foreign Language.’I was delighted.I immediately jot down the address.Now I had to put my certificates together.I did that and was about to mail it,When I checked everything,I noticed I had to send my application through the principal of the school.All my enthusiasm suddenly was deflated.I wasn’t sure this through the channel would work for me.Suddenly I was hit with an idea,why not I send my application and tell the authorities,since the deadline is the 17th I wanted to send my application to be able to meet the deadline.I did that and told them I will request the Principal to send my formal application.
It worked out like I wanted it to.I stayed quiet about this plan of mine.I did not tell my siblings what I was aiming to do.My darling siblings I said to myself must not know this,if I failed to get the scholarship they would make life miserable for me.
I got word that I had an interview at the office of the British Council.The day arrived I went and waited for the secretary to call my name.When I entered the room I noticed a large oval table practically taking the whole space in the room.There must have been seven of them.I calmly sat down on one of the chairs,making sure not to look at any of the interviewers,I knew if I looked,it would be all over and I would fail.After going through the task of answering the questions.I was told I could go.
I felt I was waiting for eons,I received a thick envelope,I opened it and to my dismay found the tickets and other relevant papers.The ticket in hand I went home told my Mom.
This was the first time in my life I was travelling to London.I stayed in a residence near Russel square.My stay was very pleasant.I visited Madame Tussaud’s museum,British Council Library ,Trafalgar Square.
We went to Llanberis in North wales for teaching practice and Malta.I had a good time and also got my diploma In Teaching English As A foreign Language.
Sabethville 
It’s a nice post and one can feel the nostalgia (and share it). Teaching of English as Foreign Language has also been an area of my special interest :-). When was this trip?
It reminded me of how eagerly I went to Madame Tussaud’s during my first visit to London many years ago.
I was one anxious person.Luckily I had my brother in London,he came to visit me whenever he could.
He always left money for me,even though I said I will visit him.He would say,no Ranu,you might make an
excuse that you did not have the money to go to my place.As they say,”Bhai,ho toh aisa.”
So I am trying to emulate him ,so one day,”you will be able to say,”Bahen ho toh aisi.”
Thanks,
Ranu.
“When I entered the room I noticed a large oval table practically taking the whole space in the room.There must have been seven of them.I calmly sat down on one of the chairs,making sure not to look at any of the interviewers,I knew if I looked,it would be all over and I would fail.”
The above lines so effortlessy portray the tense atmosphere of the meeting room, but I guess the calmness that your showed made all the difference.
Thank you.There was a lot riding on that interview.I did not want my siblings to know about it.As luck would have it,my
big sister was visiting Dhaka that day.She came to return the books,she had borrowed from the British Council library.
She looked at me and said,”What are you doing here,they are interviewing applicants for British Council Scholarship?”I nearly
froze in my seat.The secretary,who knew my sister said,”You did not tell your sister you are one of the candidates?”
Well,I said to myself now that I am caught,I better pray to God to help me get the scholarship.My siblings will make so much
fun of of me that I myself will never tread this path ever again.Thankfully enough I was successful.Everything went well.
We have a phrase in,Bengali,Raakhay Allah maaray kay.It simply means,if God is on your side who can kill you.”
Greetings,
What a nice post. Your mention of the large oval table and the people reminded me immediately of the potential stress of such events. You obviously swam through it to success!
The photographs add something special to this post. The joys, challenges, and adventures of traveling are conveyed through your words and the pictures.
I’ve been to Birmingham, UK, but never to London. This post increases my desire to see this place.
All good wishes,
robert
It certainly was stressful.This was my first visit in front of that many for a scholarship interview.
God helped me.
I love your comment,thank you,Robert.