I know I’ve said this a million times before but again, I will have to say it tonight. London is like a magical little tickle trunk of people from every corner of the globe. Tonight, we went to Aphrodite Taverna, a tiny little Greek restaurant just up the block from my flat. There were 19 of us total, for a reservation of 15. Portuguese, German, French, Yugoslavian, Kiwi, Spanish, English, Greek, Canadian and Morroccan. We were loud, conversing in 5 different languages, a jumble of foreign words being thrown across tables all throughout the night. “Sante! Yamas! Salut! Cheers!”. Wine, olives, kalamari, lamb…food food food…. talking talking talking…laughing laughing laughing. It was chaos and craziness and hugs and kisses and “Happy New Year’s” and good-to-see-you’s and laughter and gossip!
A friend told me a few weeks ago that in the 8 years that he has been in London, he has lived 2 lifetime’s worth of experiences and memories. Nights like these — where serendipitous meetings between friends of friends reveal just how small the world really is, where there is great food, great wine and great company, where language knows no boundaries and conversations are no-holds-barred — remind me why I’m here. It’s for the people. It’s for the moments when, in a tiny little Taverna in Notting Hill, bustling with bodies, everything suddenly goes in silent slow motion. You smile at the scene — at your friends, touched by gorgeous candlelight, mouths open, heads thrown back in laughter — and you think to yourself: this is perfect. I am happy right here, in this moment. This is bliss. And you are thankful.
