A year ago I was anticipating my time in London, barely arrived and spending time with my mom in the most amazing city in the world. I had yet to see the campus, go through orientation, begin classes or make friends. The city was vaguely familiar and opening up before me, anxious for me to explore and its cobbled streets and learn its public transportation. I drank in the view from the London Eye and the city from the Thames, wandered through little neighborhoods, ridden the tube, and tasted the best fish and chips of my life. This was the touristy London. The one I had experienced three years ago on VESPA and was just reacquainting myself with again.
And then I stayed for ten months. It's hard to believe that I was there for so long but I dream of it still and recall my days there with a fond sadness because I wish I was still there among the ancient and modern, with my friends, and enjoying my life in the most amazing city in the world. But it's all behind me now. My life is so different than it was a year ago and, with the exception of graduate school, I would love to have it back. I miss my friends desperately and include the city itself on that list as I constantly think of my favorite places, my favorite view of the Thames, and the way walking through city streets so intimately connects you to a place.
My journal from my 10 months in London is full of all the range of emotions I felt through my trip. I wandered through loneliness, emptiness, sadness and through to joy, enrichment, happiness and everything in between. The city was my constant companion, my special friend, my love of that city will never change. I dream of going back and finding myself again in those streets and in the places I so dream of being again. I miss the friendships I made there, the museums I spent hours in, the Thames with its dirty water and strange allure, the cold weather and views of the city skyline from campus. I miss the international population, the tiny dorm room, the crowded tube and buses, the bridges and the West End. I miss Tottenham Court Road and Great Dover Street, the Tower of London, and the Globe Theatre. My usual walk to school crossed a bridge, through buildings hundreds of years old, and past so many shops and people. I miss those things terribly and wish for them to be back again in my life. I dream of a time where I can live in London again and be with my friends in the amazing city that I spent 10 months and can't wait to see again.
