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Published: March 13th 2013
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What are the odds of getting another blue sky in winter? Well, I got it again in Manchester! My string of bad luck finally stopped. I actually don't have any particular interest on the city's attractions. But I decided to pay a visit anyway as my brother is currently taking his master degree there.
My Premier Inn hotel kindly allowed me to early check in (it was just 11 am) and that's much appreciated. I took advantage of the FREE metroshuttle buses to roam the town! So cool! There are 3 routes which you can choose and mostly captured the key attractiopns (except the Manchester United's stadium because its located at the city outskirts). Read about it
HERE I went to the Albert square in front of the townhall. Too bad that day the townhall tower was closed so I can't climb up for the city view. You can still go inside to the cafe though.
I ended up spending quite a while at the square. Why? The sky was sooo blue, but because its winter, the sunlight gives this subdued orange glow. Very pretty to take pictures in. What's special is there are a lot lines on
the sky. Yes, lines! I think its from airplanes. Perhaps it was too cold or something as the "scratches" stayed there for hours.
From there I walked to the famous John Ryland's library. Free entry. It looks like a movie set but its not! There are different halls you can enter or study in. No food or beverages allowed, although you can bring bottled mineral water.
Its 30 mins to my appointment with my brother. I missed the free bus and rather than waiting for another 15 mins, I decided just to walk. If there's a bus on the way, I'll catch that one. But boy, not that easy! Either timing not right, or the route is wrong.
I'm huffing and puffing. I'm rushing, lost and late all at the same time. I finally managed to find my way and arrived after fast walking for 30 mins.
I hardly recognized my brother. His getting taller. With 7 years age difference, it does gets you a bit teary that your little brother now is a grown man. He then takes me to his uni. Initially I thought his uni looks like Harry Potter college or something, but
apparently its a modern building. He said he only have classes 5 days a month and the rest is for papers and group discussion. Wow! If it was me, I would probably always dash to travel around Europe. So many cheap flights, trains and travel packages from UK.
He then took me to his dorm. Small bedroom with shared bathroom, with strong curry smell reaking from the hallway because his roommate was cooking. I cringed. But he said he's happy. So that's good. My little brother always stayed with our parents, right until he moved to Manchester, so I can imagine its not an easy transition. But I'm proud of him that he's able to manage.
We then head off for dinner. Lots of halal certified eateries near uni. I had lamb chops which I crave for quite some time. We catch up a lot and even learn new things about each other. I'm a bit embarassed to say, yes we shared the same genes but we're not necessarily best friends, so I'm happy to learn more about him.
He then insisted to walk me back to the hotel despite of the long haul flight he just
took earlier today and the final exam he got 2 days from now. We walked around Arndale Market, saw the famous Corn Exchange and Printworks building, as well as the football museum. It was very nice of him taking me around his "new" town. I would hesitate to venture out alone at night.
We hugged and said goodbyes in front of my hotel. I waited until he left before sneaking out again to buy some dinner. In my heart I pray that he will always be well.
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kishore
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