Lincoln

Okay, so right now I’m at university. I go to University of Lincoln. Yes, I know what you’re going to say; it was on The InBetweeners movie. The university is a decent university. It has been moving up in the university league table in the past two years and is current No.67. So really it’s doing well.

When I first came to Lincoln, it was in 2010 I think and it was for an open day. I remember coming with one of my best friends who now attends this university as well. By the way warning for people that plan on catching a train from Leicester to Lincoln, it will kill you. It takes nearly two hours and nearly stops at every stop. There are no plug sockets to charge your electricals and no food services. Anyways, stepping off the platform and walking to the town centre I notice the rail track goes through the city. Don’t worry they have barriers for when the train is about to go past. So, it is a smaller city compared to Leicester. However, the one thing I felt, which I didn’t feel in Leicester was it felt safe. It felt homely.

Lincoln’s not a big city, but it isn’t small either. You have the Greggs, the Primark, the WH SMITH, Waterstones, Tescos so really Lincoln does have the basics covered. The only thing Lincoln doesn’t have is a H&M. That is the only thing I am deprived of, but touch wood; rumour has it Lincoln maybe opening one soon. For the fashion fanatics; Lincoln does have Top Shop, River Island and House of Fraser. I guess if you really want to go shopping, you’d have to visit the boutiques. If you walk up further on the High Street, you have the pubs, streets leading to the clubs and the little boutique shops. They are small shops, but they have really nice stuff that you know you won’t get in the High Street shops. My favourite shop in Lincoln has to be Goodies. Goodies is your good old fashioned sweet shop, it has little gift packages with sweets ranging from 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. The place has sweet jars all around with different sweets in and candy canes hanging off the ceiling. But my favourite part is when I pay every time, I love the vintage till. And the owner is so friendly to talk to as well, so really Lincoln does have friendly people.

Now the thing Lincoln is known for Steep Hill or as I like to think ‘Survival of the Unfittest.’ And why would you trouble yourself of going up there, well the beautiful Lincoln Cathedral. It’s a majestic cathedral. Breath-taking. Beautiful. Architecture has not at all been changed. There is a bus that takes you there, but everyone has to experience Steep Hill. You need to visit the boutiques, tea rooms, pubs all on the way up. Don’t worry when you do get up Steep Hill, there is more than the cathedral, there you have more shops and the information centre for tourists. I think it’s a bit idiotic for where the information centre is; I think they need a new location.

So I say visit Lincoln, you could probably visit it all in one day. There are things I dislike, but if I think about it I don’t hate this city. I feel comfortable staying here. It’s a beautiful city. Best of all I can walk everywhere since everything is in walking distance. This city makes me happy and for now I am happy to call it my home. It’s my temporary home, but it’s mine. That’s what you need when you’re away from your city you have originally come from.


To do: Visit Steep Hill, go to Goodies. Recommended night club is Home.

Leicester

I love visiting new cities and just meeting new people. Isn’t that what life is truly about? Seeing new cities and meeting new people. I’m currently 19 and I have my whole life ahead of me. And I’ve just started university.

I’m from Leicester originally. Where is Leicester? Between Nottingham and Birmingham, in the middle of the two. I always have hated this city. Why? I guess I hate it when things are too familiar. I always need a break from it. Something new. Something fresh. The only thing I couldn’t get from Leicester was that adrenaline of seeing something new, that fear of being lost and never being found. It isn’t a bad city, it’s decent. We have a shopping mall. We have food chain outlets like McDonalds, KFC, Subway, Nandos and the list goes on. I think we only have one Burger King but hey who eats Burger King, it cost an arm or a leg nowadays.

You say Leicester, I say home. It’s where I was where I was bred and born. Now I’m not saying I won’t return to it. I will of course, I’m like a bird. And swallows always return home. I’m not saying I’m a swallow. I just love birds in general. They can fly anywhere they want to. They just have complete freedom. And I guess I etch for that.

Anyways back to Leicester. We have Guildhall. It’s been on “Most Haunted.” There is a belief that there is ghosts, a black cat on the stairs, a monk in one of the room and I think that’s it. This is all from my knowledge or of what I can remember. It was used as a jury room. I have to say the glass stained windows are really beautiful and the architectural aspects of the building are still the same since being built.

I guess the bustle and hustle of the city I do like, but I don’t. There is large TV screen in the middle of the town centre. Well the reason the council says it up is purely to update people on news and show what Leicester is doing. I remember from the world cup, it was Spain vs. Switzerland; you’d have people sit on the floor watching the match. Of course I did that, one of my best friends is a Spain supporter. Even when England played, people gathered in front of that screen, it just bought the community together. Even though people were fenced in, it bought them together, and nothing beats feeling like a caged chicken.

Let’s not forget Leicester’s parks. The ones I like are Abby Park and Bradgate Park. My favourite park is of course is Bradgate Park. You have the wildlife, the small waterfalls and it’s just pretty. If you want to go for nice walk, Bradgate Park is the one. You see deers and peacocks. The one thing I really want to do; is go to the highest hill where Lady Jane Grey’s castle use to be and sit there at night, watch the stars, see the sun rise and sun set. Bradgate Park is one of the parks which is still naturally preserved.

I say I hate Leicester, but I haven’t given a real reason. It’s not because of the people, even though we are known to be the most multicultural city in the UK. It’s not because there isn't anything to do. Leicester has history and it is fascinating, but Leicester isn't my city. It may be home for now, but it’s not mine. It’s not lack of shops. I guess it’s a personal thing. Leicester is beautiful, it is big, but it doesn’t feel like home. Yes I know I’m saying it is home but it doesn't feel like home. It doesn’t have the home vibe. Its not mine.

To do: Shopping in city centre, see Guildhall, go Bradgate Park. Nightlife is best on Fridays and Saturdays.