Of British Culture

So what have I learnt whilst I've been here? Not much, to be honest. I think everything's just similar to Australia, with slight differences. I have learnt, however, that Jeremy Corbyn is this weird guy who is really "out there" and the current leader of the left-wing party, but the conservatives are currently in power. Apparently he takes a bus everywhere and doesn't wear ties- and I know people who really love him, believing that he's the only politician who isn't corrupt to some degree.

That, and news that junior doctors are going on strike soon over here, because negotiations fell through with the government. Jeremy Hunt is the secretary of state for health, but apparently he's really unpopular, and I wonder how he's staying where he is. I swear every health professional (not just doctors, mind you) I've met has sort of sighed in an exasperated manner or rolled their eyes at the very mention of Jeremy Hunt, and I understand there's some sort of joke about a radio host calling him "Jeremy Cunt" on live radio a while ago. Apparently everyone finds it amusing--- so I guess he isn't that popular after all.

It's kind of great though, to live somewhere where you can make a super-crude joke about your secretary of state for health, and not get arrested or fined for it or some shit. After my recent trip to China I'm just like "holy hell help, I can't get used to all this freedom of speech and democracy". Also it baffles me that some people seem to view China as a communist utopia where everything is working perfectly- I never understood how people imagined communism would work in reality. Given the assumption of unlimited resources, maybe. Then if everybody was high on drugs or something, sure they'd buy into the "everyone's equal" thing. Otherwise, you can just sort of EXPECT the failure of the whole effort and watch it come undone at the seams.

Anyway I went to see an exhibition about Richard III yesterday--- that was actually really worthwhile. I am now THAT much more competent on the subject of English history- well, actually I was just incompetent before, and now I am slightly less so. I never watched or read the Shakespearean play, Richard III. I guess I'll have to now, now that I've gone to the exhibition about him. I thought it was kind of cool, but maybe history isn't something everyone finds fascinating.

Then I went out to dinner- Italian. Had garlic bread for starters, king prawn linguine for my main, tiramisu for dessert. Surprisingly enough it didn't cost me a fortune- I even had a drink because the pasta was so spicy. It tasted good though- I was bloated by the end of it. I never enjoyed Western food much, but I think I'm getting used to eating out now that I'm in the UK. Food is actually quite good- perhaps I was just too picky before.

Well it's half past 12 now and I should be asleep, but on the other hand I should really be packing. My room is still a disgraceful mess, and I don't know how I'm going to pull myself together by tomorrow. Oh well, good night for now.