This post has a lot of meaning to me. Which is why I’m
designating an entire post to it.
I think that who you meet in life and who you decide to
surround yourself with describes you as a person and what you want out of life.
I have experienced so much in life: ups and downs, depression and happiness,
the loss of good friends, and the gain of so many. I have taught myself that
your happiness is dependent on what you do, who you meet, and how you take up
time. There is nobody to blame but yourself. If you want to sit and do nothing
all day and stare at the wall, then by all means, do it. If you want to go out
and party with strangers, hey, I’m not going to be the one to stop you.
Happiness has a multitude of definitions and it’s different for every single
one of us. And for me, for this specific article, it’s London.
Like I mentioned earlier, my arrival to London was not
something I was looking forward to. I had such low expectations, I didn’t
really want to be there. I hated my first night in my hostel. No one was
friendly, I paid a lot of money for it, and it was very anti-social. But, I’m
backpacking; I’m not allowed to be unhappy and I made myself a promise that I
had to make the best out of any situation. And I did. I went out and became a
tourist, saw things that I wanted to see and walked around until my feet were
about to fall off. But I knew it wouldn’t become better until I met someone to
hang out with, whether from my hostel or not.
I’m aware this blog is for all to see and I’m just going to
say it because face it, we all use it, but I’m on Tinder. I don’t use it much, I
just scroll through it and never actually meet anyone. While in bed one night,
I decided to go on it because maybe there was somebody that would just be
willing to show me around. I matched with plenty but a lot of them didn’t seem
like they really wanted to show me around as much as buy me a drink and call it
a night. The next day, while gallivanting around the city center, I received a
message from, let’s call him Q. He
suggested we go out for a beer at a local pub and he was quite friendly so I
agreed as long as he got me at my hostel (safety precautions, duh). If there
was a night I really needed, it was that one. Just to have interaction with a
local and conversation that was entertaining to say the least. The best part
about meeting a local is the chance to go to hole-in-the-wall pubs and wine bars,
meet their friends, and learn something about the city with somebody else other
than a pamphlet.
The following day, after I finished a tour (which I will
explain in my London post), I received a message from Q asking where I was and if I wanted to meet. Within 12 hours, I
felt like I had already made a best friend in London. It was as if I could talk
to him about anything, invite him anywhere, and no matter what, he was there.
It was exactly what I needed to make my time there better. I feel like Q knew
me better than a lot of my friends back home. He took me around London, he
understood that when I squealed walking into a chocolate shop, it’s completely
normal. (It is, by the way…to squeal. It’s chocolate.) But what caught me off
guard was when I said that I really wanted to go on the carousel and he replied
with, “Oh thank god, I really wanted to do it also. I’m so happy you said that.”
I’m a kid at heart. Always will be. And for somebody that has known me for 24
hours at the point to understand my little kid personality, was incredibly
heart-warming. As the sun was setting, I wanted to head back because I needed
to wash up and he invited me out with friends of his for drinks and dancing.
Since I learned to never turn down an offer for drinks, I
gladly accepted and met them all out a few hours later. The minute I walked
into the first bar, it was as if I’d known them for ages. They were so friendly
and welcoming: buying me drinks, dancing with me, taking photos, and putting up
with my shenanigans. And to think, if I hadn’t met Q, I most likely would’ve
been home on a Saturday night having no clue what to do. I will tell you now,
that night, will be one that goes down in history. I don’t think I’ve smiled
that much in a long time.
The third day was my final day and Q had already said
goodbye because I had to meet with my Couchsurfing host that day. But when I
found out I wasn’t meeting my host until late, I let Q know that I would be in
the park because it was just too nice out regardless of the fact that I still
had so much left to see. Surprisingly, he offered to come with me and bring a
blanket. The entire day, we sat under a tree in Hyde Park and talked for hours.
He walked me to my train and carried me the entire way. If there was a more
perfect ending to my trip to London, I couldn’t even guess what it could’ve
been.
It is disheartening knowing that I am away from these
wonderful people. I know, that I will meet many more. But these guys from the
bar, Q, the experiences I had, stole my heart for those three days, and still
do. If I could offer one piece of advice, it’s to welcome people into your life
and they may surprise you. Don’t judge based on looks, age, or character. Make
that decision in the end, after you’ve spent time with them. I fell in love
with London because of these people and I am thankful every single day.
That being said, I wanted to write a letter to Q, which I
hope he sees:
Dear Q,
My time with you was indescribable. You showed me that I can find my
other half, a good friend, no matter where in the world I am. You took the time
to show me around, to laugh at my jokes, to carry my backpack despite the fact
that you’d known me for all of 72 hours. Thank you for showing me to let loose.
To enjoy my time and those around me. Between the horrible beers and the
amazing chocolate. The dancing that I hardly remember to walking in the park.
My experience with you showed me what backpacking is about. To break free from
self-containment and do something outside your comfort zone, and meeting you
explains that perfectly. I can’t even explain how much you changed my perspective
on London and people in this world. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me
and London is only a plane ride away.
Thank you, for making me fall in love with London. (and out of love
with beer in London)
Xoxo ooooo(extra hugs),
Emily
Cheers.
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