I had been in 14 airports in 21 days. I was ready for a vacation, and had no qualms with the fact that Heathrow would be airport #16!!
I was so used to traveling with a group of travelers that I caught myself looking around as I got off the plane; a visual sweep to make sure everyone was getting off (why they wouldn't, I don't know! But it's the group leader in me). As I walked towards immigration thinking of the things that I had to do (get through immigration, find an ATM, double check my hotel address), it hit me: I was by myself. I was on my own time. I didn't have to keep an eye on anybody but myself. I took a deep breath and I smiled. I got through immigration and moseyed my way towards baggage claim. Rambled around until I found an ATM. Went to the bathroom - without informing anybody that I was going! - and retrieved my suitcase. And before I went out to the taxi stand, I stopped at Costa and bought a latte. Just because I could. (Bonus: they even had a gluten-free brownie! Heck yes I snatched that up!)
When I walked out the sliding doors towards the cab stand, a blast of cool air hit me. It was autumn. I was in London. I was on my own time. My family was waiting for me. My cabbie asked my destination, and I settled into the backseat with a smile. Not just any smile, though. The kind of smile that comes from deep within, warms every part of your body, and explodes out your mouth - the kind you wouldn't be able to keep in if you tried. I sipped my latte and watched the scenery become more and more urban as we entered the city. I realized that most foreigners are startled by the fact that the British drive on the left side of the road...but I live in India; I'm used to that. I was more awestruck by the ORDER and DISCIPLINE with which we were driving! I smiled again. I live in India. I'm rendezvousing with some of my favorite people in London. I start to see landmarks that I recognize, and another smile explodes. This is a good beginning to a great first day of the best vacation I have had in a very, very long time. My family. Starbucks. Union Jack souvenir kitsch. Zara. Liberty London. People watching. Spanish food. Gelato. Bathrobes. Gluten-Free bread. Brisk autumn breezes. Meeting new people. Learning. Dancing. Being. So many things that I love, all in the same place at the same time. And it was only day one.
I was so used to traveling with a group of travelers that I caught myself looking around as I got off the plane; a visual sweep to make sure everyone was getting off (why they wouldn't, I don't know! But it's the group leader in me). As I walked towards immigration thinking of the things that I had to do (get through immigration, find an ATM, double check my hotel address), it hit me: I was by myself. I was on my own time. I didn't have to keep an eye on anybody but myself. I took a deep breath and I smiled. I got through immigration and moseyed my way towards baggage claim. Rambled around until I found an ATM. Went to the bathroom - without informing anybody that I was going! - and retrieved my suitcase. And before I went out to the taxi stand, I stopped at Costa and bought a latte. Just because I could. (Bonus: they even had a gluten-free brownie! Heck yes I snatched that up!)
When I walked out the sliding doors towards the cab stand, a blast of cool air hit me. It was autumn. I was in London. I was on my own time. My family was waiting for me. My cabbie asked my destination, and I settled into the backseat with a smile. Not just any smile, though. The kind of smile that comes from deep within, warms every part of your body, and explodes out your mouth - the kind you wouldn't be able to keep in if you tried. I sipped my latte and watched the scenery become more and more urban as we entered the city. I realized that most foreigners are startled by the fact that the British drive on the left side of the road...but I live in India; I'm used to that. I was more awestruck by the ORDER and DISCIPLINE with which we were driving! I smiled again. I live in India. I'm rendezvousing with some of my favorite people in London. I start to see landmarks that I recognize, and another smile explodes. This is a good beginning to a great first day of the best vacation I have had in a very, very long time. My family. Starbucks. Union Jack souvenir kitsch. Zara. Liberty London. People watching. Spanish food. Gelato. Bathrobes. Gluten-Free bread. Brisk autumn breezes. Meeting new people. Learning. Dancing. Being. So many things that I love, all in the same place at the same time. And it was only day one.
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