London - Day 8.

Today I left London. By the time I woke up again, Gayoung had probably reached Paris. Patrick and I had a brief breakfast before he left for work. The news reported guns being fired in another part of the world and possible rain in the bigger part of England. It was a sad morning. 

After P left the house I turned on my computer and played the Roots while getting my shit together. I carried everything into the living room and tried to make sense of my belongings. Chunky watched me packing for a while, he sniffed around Jeffrey Eugenides and across some of my clothes, but eventually got bored and left. Something more interesting was happening outside the window, probably a bird, or the wind.

I got everything set and checked all the rooms to make sure I didn't leave anything behind. It felt like my whole existence was folded together and resting inside my suitcase. Everything except the computer. I clicked the button with the little square on it and Black Thought stopped rapping about how he got over, and let me tell you, that silence right there was really overwhelming. 

I sat down at the wooden kitchen table ensemble and did nothing for a moment. I heard myself breathing and thought about the past few days. And then Chunks walked up the stairs. Now, this might sound weird, because I've only known him for a few days and also because he's a cat, but I feel like he's become a friend already.

Once more I took the Victoria and changed to the District Line to get to Embankment Station. I walked up the Strand and on my way to P's office I bought two postcards and some stamps. We met at the corner and walked north. We talked about the next few weeks, our plans and things to take care of. We had lunch at a place called HOT. Patrick ordered a jacket potato with something tuna salady, I had mine with meat balls, chilly and cheese. I was always a bit worried about eating in the UK, but this trip proved that there's really nothing to worry about.

It was our last meal together. I tried to stretch it with a dessert, but time and the duties of P's real job made it impossible. We walked a few more blocks, then he had to go back. It's good seeing you, bruder. And next time we'll all meet in Paris. On the next corner I grabbed a cup of coffee, and since there weren't any indoor seats left, I sat at a little table outside. I wanted to spend some more minutes to look back on the past week, and also to capture the craziness of a busy London street.

I drank up and walked down Holborn Station. The train took me to Liverpool Street, where I took the Stansted Express to the airport. I think I really like London. Before I checked in, I walked by a small Krispy Kreme booth. Of course I bought half a dozen original glazeds; short but efficient happiness that is.