TOUT VA BIEN LÀ-BAS?

My flight was at five in the evening, in accordance with the Eastern Time Zone. The duration of the flight and the time zone change put me in London around six in the morning. So, the obvious move was to attempt some sleep and skip that whole jetlag thing. I managed to get around three hours of restful slumber. The remaining time was spent meditating. While I probably only reached REM sleep for a little bit, the meditation was rather refreshing. I had not meditated this mindfully for quite some time. After rejoining reality, I jumped onto the train heading to the city center. Still in a dreamy state, I quickly found myself in the heart of Central London.

It was a cold, foggy morning with a misty drizzle. You know, the typical England dreariness. Well-dressed Londoners littered the streets, hastily heading to their destination. I needed something to block my adenosine receptors, so the search for the double shot started. After completing a few things on my computer, I ventured out to find a new study spot. While strolling along The River Thames, the infamous Daveman rang, wondering about my location. Luckily, I spotted a legendary landmark in the distance, and this was the perfect meet-up spot. The Great Clock of Westminster was where our reunion was. We were at this exact spot six years ago during our first Europe trip.

We spent the next few hours pub-hopping and exploring the downtown district. It had been a minute since Dave and I conversated, so we had plenty to discuss. Our next move was to meet up with his big bro, who is essentially my big bro too. Max had been in London for several years, and I had not seen him since he jumped the pond. We settled on a spot in Chinatown to fill our bellies. An assortment of flavors hit the table, but my favorite was unquestionably the preserved eggs. The translucent black albumen of the egg is enchanting, and the flavor is out of this world. During this trip, I have continually gravitated toward Chinese culture. This happenstance will be analyzed, for fate is forging my way.

After grubbing, Dave and I adventured to his humble abode in Ealing. Yes, it was modest indeed. The flat was teeny-tiny, and my sleeping spot was on the floor. Years ago in college, we were dormmates, so sharing a small space was simple. I have no complaints; snoozing on the floor is common in many other cultures. Several studies even suggest that it is more beneficial for your spine. In college, I experimented with floor sleeping and found some success. I am all about it if I can save a few bucks on this trip. His tiny kitchen was sufficient enough to feed me for several meals. The projector in his room kept us entertained before bedtime.

Like most of this trip, I avoided my lodging location. Exploring Ealing was easy, for it was a quaint London borough. Ealing contained several acclaimed universities, and the city was full of students. Dave was in his final week of classes at the acclaimed MET Film School. During the day, I would study at a coffee shop or the local library. After completing our studies, we would meet at a local pub for a pint or two. This was the routine and the starting point for many of our evenings.

My favorite evening was the night of Dave's graduation. The graduating class spent the day showcasing their final projects. I popped in to see what Dave had learned during his time here. His short reel was humorous, intense, and articulate. I have followed his acting career since we starred in The New Protectors together in fifth grade. Everyone was ready to celebrate, so we headed to the pub next to the campus. These cinematic scholars were ready to party because the pints were pouring non-stop. After several hours, it was time to retreat to the afty in Soho. This gathering was legendary, and I met talented people from all over the world. I will not disclose all the details of this particular party because a few of these people could make it big one day. It was another unforgettable night to add to the books.

Ealing was just one of many places that I explored. I wandered for hours on multiple occasions in the central city's streets. With an informative podcast accompanying me, I loved getting lost in London. Historical buildings, moving monuments, and a plethora of pubs litter this classical city. Brixton was another borough that interested me very much. We visited this storage container collective one rainy evening. This creative development boasted many independent businesses. All sorts of tiny booths offered food, drink, and retail. The makeshift roof was a collection of tarps, and the rain snuck through in certain areas. It certainly felt like a science fiction film that evening.

Another memorable evening was when I cooked for Max and his flatmates. His kitchen was by far the best this trip. There was plenty of space and a wide assortment of culinary instruments. After a quick trip to the local supermarket, I got to work. The menu included: blackened chicken, my famous rice, bacon-wrapped dates, butternut squash puree, sardine salad, several roasted vegetables, and a legendary cheese platter. Obviously, we paired it with some beautiful beverages. While gathered around the table, we discussed many riveting topics and spoke of future endeavors.

My final two days in England were spent in Luton. This sizable city has borough status and an international airport. The travel time from Dave's apartment was roughly two hours by tube. My flight was relatively early, and I decided to arrive the day before. My new friend Yoyo joined me in Luton for a typical Tom day. We toured the coffee shops, popular pubs, and local landmarks. It did not take long to explore this city, so we opted to head to the cinema. Puss and Boots was the flick of the night, and I was extremely entertained. I was happy to call it an early evening because a beautiful big bed was waiting for me.