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September 2004—Lewin 2
We just wanted to sit under a tree in a pretty little park and read some Shakespeare. The plan was to go to Hyde Park and have a little picnic while we read. So, the roommates and I headed over to Waitrose (the local grocery store) and picked up some bread, water, cheese, and chocolate--the necessities.
We hopped on the tube, which was beyond packed on Saturday, as a result of some track closures for construction. Holding our precious goods as close to our bodies as possible in an effort to keep strangers from robbing our most valued possessions--food--, we made our way to the Hyde Park Corner stop off the Piccadilly Line.
Stepping off the train and breathing for the first time in 20 minutes, we made our way out of the station. Signs were pointing in every direction with the word "park" on every one, so I just decided to lead us in the direction of Green Park, assuming it was a subsection of Hyde Park.
It turns out I was wrong, but we didn't much care, as all we wanted was some trees to lean on and some sky to look at. "Green Park it is."
It's funny how none of us managed to read more than a few pages. You would think that sitting in a park in London reading is no different than sitting in a park in Chicago, or Des Moines, or wherever.
But it is.
Something inside of me just knew it was different. More exciting. Not as if my pulse were racing in anticipation of what might be around the corner. It was just more interesting, because it was a change.
I swear the squirrels scurried differently.
We met one new friend there--Mort. He's a squirrel. He's a little antsy, but he liked us after we gave him enough crackers.
There was a strange feeling of being alone and yet in the middle of thousands of people. The hustle and bustle of the surrounding area caused my immediate surroundings to seem even more serene.
There I was in the middle of a foreign park, in a foreign city, in a foreign country, 3,000 miles from home, trying to do something normal and everyday.
Of course we couldn't focus.
The homework will get done. With me, it always does.
I'm glad I allowed myself to just sit and be in this wonderful new place, with my wonderful new friend, Mort.
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