Final Farewells

It's taken me a long time to write this blog entry because I hate goodbyes, and the goodbyes I had to say in London were more than a little heartbreaking. I really hadn't planned to fall in love with so many people during my experience, but luckily for me, I did. From my colleague friends to my fellow Fulbrighers, during my year in England, I met some of the most amazing people I've ever met. People that I love like family. Not only that, but I also fell in love with London, which to me is the most magical city in the world. So for my last day in London, I knew I wanted to do something simple and special, soaking up as much of the city and as much of my lovely friends as possible.

My dear friend Anna started off my day perfectly with a proper, home-cooked British fry up at her flat. The traditional English breakfast is famous, and it's not meant for those with small appetites. :)

After our delish breaky, we headed down to my favorite place in London--Southbank. We were SO FULL that we weren't moving very fast, but we had a nice wander around, took some pretty photos, and did some good people watching. It was perfect!

It was a grey day in London, but that was actually pretty fitting for
the usual London scene. 

Tower Bridge 

Anna and I

One last pic in front of Bridget Jones' house

I love Borough Market

One last Pimms

Love this old WWII sign. We also laughed because
it was sorta fitting for how I was feeling about my
next big adventure--going home!

Such a pretty city!

I do love a good cuppa!

I'll miss the cute black cabs

Another dear friend Leah had organized a final going away do for me at a pub in Brixton, so after our walk along the Southbank, we hopped on the Tube and made our way back to Brixton. I got a little emotional on the Tube, knowing it was my last Tube ride (at least until I come back to visit!).

Waterloo Station

Sad faces on my last Tube ride

Bye bye, Brixton Tube. I love you, Victoria Line!

We went down to the pub to meet up with the rest of our friends who were still in town. Many of the La Retraite gang had already headed off on holiday and weren't able to be there, but thankfully a handful of them were still in town! Leah, Anna, Adam, Simon, Charlie, Donal and Sadie were all able to come down for some drinks and dinner. I loved getting a chance to see these guys one more time, and they sure know how to send a girl off in style! We had a great night. :)

I'll definitely miss all these great British pubs. Leah picked the perfect spot
for our little party--she knows me so well! :) 

Anna cleverly traded some American Tootsie Rolls and
Hershey bars I had leftover for a few glasses of wine!

Cheers! Anna, me, Leah and Adam.

Love these guys! Adam, Simon, Donal, Anna, Leah and me.

Saying goodbye to Adam  :(

My girls Anna and Leah

Saying goodbye to Simon  :(

My fearless friend Sadie was determined to get me
behind the bar to pull a pint. 

And it worked! Well, I'm not actually pulling a pint...just pretending.

Saying goodbye to my girls  :(

We had such a great night together, and I was absolutely heartbroken to leave. I made my goodbyes with everyone short and sweet and headed out. Anna walked me to the bus stop at the end of the evening, and we had a good cry right there on the street. She's been such a great friend to me--I really didn't want to leave. 

As I finally got on the bus, I realized all three of my Oyster cards (bus passes) were out of money. So there I was, standing there, blubbering on the bus with no money. All of a sudden, someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned and it was Anna, who swiped her own Oyster card for me, then ran back off the bus. 

I let out another sob and a man next to me said, "Now that's a good friend." 

"Yes, she is," I replied. 

As I moved down into the bus, a woman caught my attention and pointed to the window. I looked out and there was Anna on the sidewalk, tears streaming down her face, waving me goodbye and blowing me kisses. 

I cried the whole way up the hill to the flat.

And you know what happened next? Three people on the bus asked me if I was alright! Another man who got off at my stop said to me: "I don't know what your sad about, but I just want to say that whatever it is, things will get better." 

People say London is a tough city, a cold city, a city where nobody has time for you. And sure, Londoners do tend to keep their eyes trained to the pavement as they bustle through the crowded streets, and everybody does seem to be in a hurry to get someplace else. But I learned this year that while London might have a tough exterior, its actually got a real big heart, too.

And I think I've left a piece of my own heart there with it.