Hello from Manchester, England!
It’s so good to be back in the north of England! Going from one of the oldest cities in Europe, to a very modern one, is culture shock indeed!
The non-stop flight from Athens to Manchester was flawless on Jet2 airlines. I had never heard of them before, but they were the only airline offering a non-stop flight - four days a week. They are a friendly and fun airline, and they make the trip really pleasant.
My Airbnb is in Stockport, which is an industrial town in Greater Manchester. My hosts are wonderful, with two cute kids, a lovable black lab, and two curious cats - oh, and a couple chickens in the backyard! The bedroom offers me all that I could possibly want. It’s going to be a nice stay.
Manchester Piccadilly
My daily train trip from my Airbnb in Stockport to the City Center of Manchester is by train. I purchased a smart card that allows me to use any train line (Northern, Transpennine, Avanti West, etc.) to go back and forth. I love riding the train, and it’s an improvement from the older (and more crowded) metro in Athens. Every day I head to the Manchester Piccadilly train station, and it takes about 15 minutes.
Manchester Piccadilly is the busiest train station in Manchester. From here, you can go all around north England, including the larger cities of Liverpool, Leeds - and even head to Edinburg, Scotland!
Stockport Air Raid Shelters
There are so many historical and interesting places to visit here in north England - and this air raid shelter is right in my backyard here in Stockport. So, I thought I'd walk over and check it out.
You really get a feel for what life was like here in wartime 1940s. Over a mile of tunnels were built out of sandstone beneath the town of Stockport - all to protect the locals from air raids. It's a very realistic experience and so educational.
Screen and Film School Manchester
I was so grateful to be cast in a short film my first week here! The students at the Screen and Film School here in Manchester are always shooting films and casting actors. So, I auditioned for a part and got it!
In this film, I’m playing a tech-savvy professional who confronts a sleazy, slimy Hollywood producer. There are some special effects that were really cool to work with, and I can’t wait to see the final product. Here's a behind the scene shot!
Bob Tapper: Life Abroad, a documentary travel podcast
For a more indepth look into my life abroad, you can always listen to my most recent podcast - and don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Finally...
In my years of travel, this is the first time I've returned to a place I've been before - north England. I'm always asking myself (and others ask as well) if I'd ever settle down somewhere again. I'm not thinking about that at the moment, but this is a place I'd surely consider. A recent study ranked Manchester as one of the most livable cities in the world! I can see why. No place is perfect, but I like it here!
I really appreciate those who have been reading this blog. Thanks for following along!
ACTOR // FILMMAKER // TRAVEL BLOGGER
Bob Tapper
actorbobtapper@gmail.com
Outside US: +01 9494846275
Inside US: (949) 484-6275
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