small things I like about London

I’m new to London. I’m as new as I was many years ago in Bucharest. Back then, I was a little scared of new, but now I love new places, new things, new experiences, even if my resistance has started being a little bit stronger (my mind whispers: it’s because you’re old, but I also remember all the old people laughing in my face).
I’ve been living in London for two years and almost eight months. And slowly, I started making a list of things, places, actions which I love here. These small things which are keeping me alive, which are making my everyday life way better are probably the things I would keep forever in my heart.

On Saturdays, in Battersea, there is a small market, where a man in his 50s comes with his big van full of vegetables and fruits. He sells them cheap. Sometimes, the fruits I buy get rotten in a day, and sometimes I found there the bests courgettes. I hardly understand the man’s accent, but if it happens to skip a Saturday without going to meet him, I feel a little bit sad.

I love that even it looks dirty, London does things trying to keep its neighborhoods clean. It’s not about the things you’re doing by yourself, but also about what the council is doing about keeping the places clean. Funny fact: I got fined because I threw a cigarette on the pavement (and yes, it is expensive!!)

People say Hi. They are busy, but even at the smallest interaction with you, they say Hi. There are moments when random people start telling you random stories, of life, of love, of battles or victories. But people say Hi, even if they know they might never see you again.

Charities. The amount of charities is huge here. And their ‘fights’, their dedication, the number of volunteers, the amount of stories you can find is massive. It is wonderful because it makes me understand that people care. About pets, about a street, about fighting diseases, about saving the planet.

There is one particular thing which is happening to me for a while: I can pray at work, but not in a corner of my soul, but together with around 20 people, each day, before starting work. No, I’m not trying to persuade anyone to pray (this is a matter of choice), but I’ve been doing this for a couple of months and it still surprises me every single day. You know why I am still surprised by this? Because I still need the time to understand that here, in London, you can be whoever and whatever you want without being judged.

Don’t forget that sometimes it’s better to focus on the good things in your life.
Namaste,
Cristina