Lessons from London 2023

My traveling buddies are intrepid.

I used to aim to fill my passport book with as many stamps as possible. But today I just can't be arsed. My buddies are headed to Scotland, France, and Belgium durign our 2 week stay in London. Day trips--and I do mean day--to visit European tourist traps, walk fast to catch everything, then sit stationery for at least 2 hours, to bookend the excursion.

I suppose I gave up collecting stamps back when heading out of the country I presented my passport to the desk agent,she scanned it and handed it back, stampless--in Costa Rica. Shocked, I asked "where's my stamp?!" She told me 'we don't do that anymore, it's all electronic.' Yeesh!

So, they can go let them go, while I opt to see trees and gardens, and drink espressos in quaint little Italian Restaurants. 

Today I, I went in search of Regent's Park, to see the beautiful cordylines and evergreen shrubs, and whatnot else. On the way through Camdentown, I missed a turn and stopped in Goodfare Italian Restaurant to get my bearings. I ordered a cup of "coffee" and sat with my notebook. The first sip was heavenly. It was pungent, dark, and earthy. Why do I not drink coffee in my normal life?? I imagine that good coffee is as medicinal as bad gin. I sipped it and ordered mushrooms on toast. 

"Good lord, is everything rich in Italy?" I scrawled into my book. The shrooms were exactly what I needed. I people-watched, wrote, sketched, and eventually got up to leave. Before doing so I asked the waitress where the heck Regent's Park is, she told me and pointed right...I was on the right track all along. 

 

In the park, don't feed the foxes. But do stroll slowly, smell flowers, admire the textural plantings, say hello to strangers, and marvel at the size of the place, and do something kind, if the opportunity arises.

Note: it's apparently not called a up of coffee anymore, it's an americano. Not sure why, but I take umbrage at that nomenclature.