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#TokisoVisitsLondon: Hello London

We landed at 06.38 - London time on Monday morning. A bit delayed due to turbulence disturbance - according to the announcement. Great flight it was. I kept looking out the window as we were descending to see if I recognised any of the structures from the sky. I saw the London Eye. Hopefully it is close proximity to where I will be staying so I can visit.

From the runway, Heathrow Airport looked like any other airport. Busy and buzzing with people going about their business. As we land, there is ample traffic of planes coming in and flying out. The Captain announced that there temperature is a chilling 11 degrees. My word - I think. I best get my big ass coat out as soon as I get a chance. 

It didn't take me long through the border and security, getting my bag (still in tact) and finding my driver - Moses. There is nothing mind blowing about this airport. Felt like any other big airport. I might be wrong but I think it is a bit smaller than OR Tambo. 

Moses, my driver was welcoming from the word go. He is from Uganda. Obviously grabbed the opportunity to ask me about the recent xenophobic violence in South Africa. We sat in about an hour 30 minutes plus traffic to the hotel. What I learnt about him was: he is married with children, was a business man back home, has been in London for 25 years and has seven children. He is 50 years old.

His life is dedicated to educating and empowering his children. Hopes to get them all through university. So far three degrees bagged from the seven. The other children are still in primary and secondary school. 

I asked him if he would return to Uganda, his words, "I do not sleep in the past". He is grateful he was able to educate his children in one of the best countries in the world. He says when they are done with school he might consider going back. He is a hands on dad, quit his IT job because his family needed more time than his job. He wanted to be involved with educating his children. He emphasised to me the power of education and how I should ensure my children learn maths, science and are computer savvy.

He made sure to use the drive to show me Buckingham Palace, The Palace of Westminster, London Eye, Big Ben and MI6 (yes it is a real place not just a James Bond made up place). He also showed me routes to use when walking about.

Our ride could have been longer but it didn't feel like it. Although I was tired and just wanted to rest - I enjoyed our chat and was happy to let him know that South African's are not xenophobic.
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