Oral History Aparna Narayanan Aparna Narayanan is a writer and editor in New York City. She enjoys exploring cities. Twitter: @aparna_2012; Instagram: @itchforscribbling.
I came to London with 300 pounds and a suitcase that rolled. I had worn a thick shirt to keep warm. It was October, and I was freezing. I knew no better, could you imagine? The agent who met me at the airport said, we're going to Leeds. The name meant nothing to me. What I remember of that bus ride from Heathrow is fields of yellow. Yellow as far as the eye could see. Whether leaf or flower, I have no idea. I passed many beautiful houses, lovelier than any I'd seen before, but the yellowness captured my mind. At the bus stop in Leeds, we got off, myself, the agent and a third man some hopeful, godforsaken wretch like me. The agent told me: sit in this bus shelter; we'll come back for you. I sat there and waited and waited. I'd look around but I was too afraid to get up and approach anyone. Besides 53
