Observations and conversations in Leeds

I have found that I can get the best sleep on a bus. Leeds was an interesting city. This time I decided not to do the historical bit and look at the buildings, but the sociological side of my studies and observe the community of Leeds. What I observed was interesting coming from a small city that I do, people had a very large bubble of personal space when walking. Yet when greeting a stranger like myself there was an acceptance into their space. I sat beside a man who introduced himself as a homeless man, there was no exchange of names or other details. We conversed for nearly an hour on the game of chess that was being played in front of us. The gentleman explained that the two players were betting, each loss of a piece costed that player fifty pounds and that this was known as a weekly event. Each of us put forward what we thought the next play would be, although this sounds simple the experience for me was enlightening. We also talked about other people who approached the players to give their options. I will forever remember Leeds, not for the historical value of the city, but for the generosity of a homeless man that willingly shared a seat and moment of his time for a stranger.

- Marie Hopton (Bachelor of Arts)