Getting up at the same time I always do to commute to central London for work on the weekdays, I was quite nervous to get ready to go and visit the place I will be living for four years at the end of September.
We arrived at Birmingham around half 10 in the morning and starting exploring Aston's campus immediately. The first place we found was the university's sports centre, which is ironic because I am notorious for being crappy at any sport, hand-eye co-ordination or exercise! The sports centre was great though - they had a huge swimming pool and offered the kind of exercise I think I might enjoy, such as yoga and pilates.
Next, we moved on to exploring the city centre a little more. I was really happy how close my accommodation is to the city centre as it was literally a five minutes walk to the famous 'Bull Ring' shopping centre and surroundings. Which to be honest, might be a little dangerous for me as on the walk down to the main shopping bit, I saw literally all of my favourite places to buy clothes from and there was a huge charity shop on a street corner and anyone who knows me, knows I am a sucker for charity shops. I've got some of my favourite bits and bobs from charity shops!
After a few minutes of wandering around the Bull Ring, we popped into Browns to have a late breakfast. I forgot to take any pictures of our food but it looked incredible. I had scrambled egg on toast with a side order of baked beans and I was so full by the end of it that I literally couldn't sit up straight! I loved the interior of Browns as well, it was so rustic and unique. Old, black and white pictures ran up and down the walls and there was the most incredibly large clock on the wall that looked like it would have been at home in an old ship. The service was very quick and wonderful - the waiters even took a picture of us on my mum's phone for us.
I wanted to explore the markets after breakfast, which no one else really fancied but we decided to go for a little bit. I was so happy we did because the markets were so good. You can buy four circles of Camembert for just £1 and a box of about 100 strawberries for a pound as well. The markets are so cheap which I know will come in handy in my student life! Even the others came around to the markets and bought a few things to take back home.
After exploring the markets, we headed to Selfridges in the main shopping centre. I can tell already that this is going to be dangerous for me living in Birmingham as there is a HUGE Selfridge's with MAC, Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury, Bare Minerals, Yves Saint Laurent and so many more incredible stalls. I think I know where where most of my student money will be going...
Also, on the ground floor of Selfridges, the whole floor is filled with amazing sweets and chocolate etc. There was pieces of art made out of Jelly Babies and I was amazed at how large everything was.
On the walk back up to the car, we saw some beautiful old buildings which was great because history interests me very much and I can't wait to learn more about where I will be living soon.
I have to admit, when I first got to Birmingham, I did freak out a little bit. I just couldn't comprehend in my own head that I wouldn't be living at home with my mum and sister anymore and I would be moving to a city I literally just stepped into for the first time in my life. I was wandering around with my boyfriend, just looking at every shop, every street name, every person that walked by, thinking whether the shop would be a local favourite of mine soon or whether a person would become a close friend in a few months. I was really thinking too much into the move and starting to scare myself. However, the breakfast at Browns really helped to calm me down and stop me thinking so quickly. I became a lot more positive after eating and ended up really enjoying my day out in Birmingham, and I can even say now that I can really see myself being happy at the university and I am excited to start now as well!
Does anyone reading this live in Birmingham, or just know the city? Is there any places you would recommend me?
xxx
