อ.สิพิม ปรารมภ์

UCE : Universal Culture Exchange #34, 2012

At Burton and South Derbyshire College, United Kingdom (Part 1: Burton upon Trent)

By Ajarn: Siphim Prarom, Rayong, Thailand

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Few towns have been like Burton upon Trent, the target of so many clichés, of rough and superficial descriptions, of Burton upon Trent: a spirit and a heritage that is as old and as vital as it is vulnerable. A proud but charming city, Burton upon Trent is subject to the eyes of the beholders.

Burton upon Trent lives a hundred different lives, cultures, showing a myriad of faces all linked by the common thread of its grand historical tradition. A visit to Burton upon Trent like myself, perceive only a few of the city’s many facts and even these are shifted through one’s own cultural backgrounds and sensibility. Can Burton upon Trent’s greatest city be captured and distilled into one grand impression? Can you step into the same rivers, routes, twice?

I myself have had the chance to visit this city once during my UCE programme with 32 students in spring time greets me. I was no more than a curious little child for the first time I went to Burton upon Trent. I was as impressed by the airplane trip as by Ethihad Fight, with my enthusiasm for outweighed my knowledge of Burton upon Trent’s landscapes, atmospheres and history and people.

And the people of Burton upon Trent. They were nothing more than obstacles to me as I ran and walked through the streets, window-shopping, pressing through crowded flee-markets, watching the lights come alive at dark. It was spring and I remember it was windy, rained quite often. Everything looked so big and jutting up through the grey sky! I can still feel the rain bathing my face as I raised it to look at the houses and the ways to my host family’s home.

The day after I went to the college early, I felt apprehensive, somehow sure that I would be disappointed. But my fear quickly dissipated as a different city greeted me, on as I was myself. I was no longer an eager child, and Burton and Derbyshire College was no longer so full of surprises! But the loss of instant receptivity was replaced with a deeper appreciation.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I tried to explore the town methodically to get broader and more impartial perspectives. But this approach proved frustrating as Burton upon Trent itself to a preordained order no more easily than I did. After a while I found myself wandering along the streets without a particular destination or schedule. I was then that I began to discover the day-to-day life of the city. And discovered the people, who didn’t appear reserved at first but who are really opened –mind and extremely nice. A different and calm Burton upon Trent was coming surprised for me.

Every day when it was the period of the “shopaholic girls”, peaceful protest in Copper Square, Primark were crowded an incredible collection of characters. Some guys played the guitar, rolling skates in front of the square, while a throng of people did their jobs and enjoyed their lives. But when evening fell the city let down its hair, busting into a new life. No one stayed there, no night-club door opened. The lights took possession of the streets and the squares and were almost feverish shoulder ran through Burton upon Trent.

Along my way home as well, the warming lights and breezing in the evening ,sometimes I got the V4 (Mango line) but sometimes I walked along the road; the Regent Park that’s unfamiliar streets, looking for 10 Cyclemen Street. Sometimes, I found it but the other time I lost because of the darkness. Now I sit at my desk in Thailand. I know that when I return to Burton upon Trent, I will always find a different town, fraught with old memories but fill with new impression. No matter how familiar, Burton upon Trent is an ever changing reality that shows itself little by little. Burton upon Trent cannot be introduced in words, but is best encountered in person or in series of beautiful pictures which have to be interpreted by each person own fantasy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

UCE : Universal Culture Exchange #34, 2012

At Burton and South Derbyshire College, United Kingdom – (Part 2: Derby)

By Ajarn: Siphim Prarom, Rayong, Thailand

————————————————————————————

Looking to the north-east along the river and the roads about 10 -20 miles to Derby city, it’s bliss, windy- cold day with green and yellow trees alongside. The hills covered with yellow custard trees and green celandine grass. It’s alike the English countryside in a movie I have seen that made me miss home in Thailand so much.

Talking about Derby means first of all talking its most famous and impressive features, its main streets, its most important buildings and merchandise malls with its cross-culture city. It’s looked like the city of Pakistani people area who their ancestors had moved to lived here for a long time; more than one hundred years. Some of my students have lived around here. I myself had a day to visit my colleague; Ajarn. Kulnaree. I had been invited and greeted by Mrs. Beckgum, it’s very impressive with her kindness and warmest- heart hospitality to me. I’ve learned the ways of life, thoughts, ideal, value and custom from her and her kids. That’s very marvelous for my first time for Pakistani’s lives. But it’s not exactly different from our country, people are very friendly.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

UCE : Universal Culture Exchange #34, 2012

At Burton and South Derbyshire College, United Kingdom

(Part 3: Manchester and Stratford)

By Ajarn: Siphim Prarom, Rayong, Thailand

————————————————————————————

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

UCE: Universal Culture Exchange #34, 2012

At Burton and South Derbyshire College, United Kingdom

(Part 4: London and London)

By Ajarn: Siphim Prarom, Rayong, Thailand

————————————————————————————

I have had the opportunity to visit London many times during different stages of my life, but each time a changed city greets me. The next time I arrived London was a few years later, with 22 students to Newport: a calm, small island in the southeast of London. One as changed as I was myself. I was no longer an eager child, and London was no longer so full of surprises. We’re from Burton at seven- twenty; for me my host-dad rode me to the appointment point. It’s near the college then we took the coach with kind and aged driver but I felt safe until to London. I tried to remind my memories with broader perspective that I hope to renew the images and feelings of London.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I think every day in this growing city, almost London people travel to work on London’s 7,000 buses, over 40,000 on subways and 380 trains. Almost 22’000 Bobbies operate in the city of millions people. For so vast a city, though London retrains a district charm with its historical architecture and its relatively high degree of civil order.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The heart and soul of London reside in the rich variety of architectural styles of its historical buildings. From the ornate to the austere, London’s landmark buildings testify to the city’s long and fascinating past keeping alive the city’s grand tradition. Even today, careful urban planning with an eye towards neo-classic design has preserved London from the architectural mishmash. Affecting other rapidly growing cities, London’s buildings are indeed a pleasure to behold.