lunch with Diego

The tube (subway/train system) in London operates beautifully, and I would have been ten minutes early for lunch at our previously agreed upon destination had I mastered the directional courses and changing points of the trains. Instead, I wasted valuable time jumping on and off various trains, frantically fumbling my way through the tube toward my final destination at Piccadilly Circus station. For those familiar with the tube, my inability to quickly find my way from Kensington to Piccadilly, no doubt, provides a little amusement. After a few trains/lines that took me off course, I did manage to arrive at the station at the exact time of our meeting. Late, I rushed through the streets, attempting to find the bar where we were to meet. Five minutes later, there I was, standing alone at a corner in soho. Now, the streets felt completely different than they had the night before, although there were early afternoon drinkers, this time sitting instead of standing around with their pints. Some street food vendors had set up make-shift tents, selling Mexican food, mostly burritos, and Thai food near our meeting spot. The smell of both immediately caused anticipatory moisture to develop in my mouth as I had not eaten since I shoved a small pastry down my throat hours earlier. Five, ten, fifteen, and then twenty minutes passed - and still, no Diego? I was beginning to feel a little bit like a male prostitute, milling about just outside of some of the seedier shops (porn stores and peep shows) waiting for him. To pass the time, I wandered around the block a few times, to do some people-watching. Tourists mostly sauntered into the sex shops while the locals quickly grabbed food for lunch from various vendors and brick and mortar restaurants. Upon my third loop, I noticed a vision in purple heading toward me. Today, in full model mode, Diego walked the imaginary runway toward our meet. I have to say the whole vision made me chuckle. He was over-the-top, stunningly handsome - his Latin hair slicked back, wearing some over-sized designer sun-glasses, a purple t-shirt which he had cut up (and later I discovered his mother had re-sown to his specifications), and white jeans (which I dare say almost no one can pull off properly). And, to think I was about to head off to grab lunch alone, fearing that I had been stood up. He greeted me with a hug and European kiss kiss. Then, we walked off, in search of a restaurant. No Italian (not my favorite) and no Mexican (not his), barely limited our options. We decided upon a place, which I believe was named Balans. Full of life and energy, so we assumed the food was lovely. That was not to be. His fish was dry and my hamburger (ordered medium) was cooked so thoroughly that any mad-cow potential had been completely eliminated. Cold fries, dry bun, and deep fried bok choy with his fish? Had it not been for our lively conversation and consultation with the Spanish-English dictionary Diego carries, the whole lunch would have been a bust. More than fifty US dollars later, we were out the door. The street vendor food for three pounds probably would have been a better option (travel tip for the day).

I had mentioned to Diego that I wanted to see a show that night since soho is basically in/near the theater district, I had been bombarded with (and fell for) their advertisements. He led me to the half-off vendors for a same-day deal. The shows I wanted to see -- Billy Elliott, Mama Mia, and Priscilla -- were all sold out. After a few more attempts, with no luck, we moved on to option number two. I wanted to boat down the River Thames when I was here twenty years ago, but could not spend the money (poor college kid mentality). Diego thought that sounded good as well. It was at about this stage that I realized Diego was going to be my all-day companion. I imagined just having lunch and then moving along on my own, so this revelation brightened my day. I would get a handsome, intelligent, sweet companion as a tour guide and friend, and Diego gets to practice American English (a fair trade considering he skipped English school to be my guide). We opted to walk the streets toward the river, instead of taking the tube. The weather has been wonderful - 80s and sunny - which is rare I was told many times. We passed various monuments - all the places I had been so keen to see when I was twenty. We stopped at 10 Downey Street for a photo, and again for one at Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey/Tower, before making our way to the river. I purchased Westminster/Tower/Westminster tickets for us and we boarded the boat. Everyone who knows me knows that I am loath to do anything tourist-like these days since I continually seek the uncommon over the common experience. However, something compelled me to take this journey. We were shoved into the boat next to a large family from Liverpool who provided me with a lot of chuckles, although I did not let them in on my amusement. The ride was interesting, although I was really hot from the sun beating down on me, and tired from being up so late and having jet-lag from arriving the day prior. Diego too seemed tied, so we decided against the return ride and exited at the London Tower dock. A brief stop at Starbucks (yes, I was breaking all my rules. Thou shall not visit American establishments while traveling), for an iced latte and we ventured back toward city center.

At this point, I began to realize how much I enjoyed Diego's company. We swimmingly conversed in spite of the language barrier, enjoyed just being in the moment, and genuinely cared to ensure the other was having a nice time. I had found what I was hoping for on my journey -- connections with strangers who shared my desire to live in the moment and engage with experiences. At various times throughout the day, Diego had mentioned that he needed to head home early since he had to feed the cats (three gatos owned by the mother of his girlfriend in London) and prepare for English school which requires him to rise at 6:30 am. However, as the day progressed, Diego kept finding other things for us to do together - this, of course, I enjoyed. We headed next to Carnaby Street, a car-free avenue of shopping and restaurants/pubs. Diego searched, and I watched, for a stylish duffle bag he could carry instead of the Abercrombie & Fitch bag he now carted around. I learned that he is diabetic, discovered when he was fifteen. He has a semi-permanent pump attached to his skin which delivers medicine/insulin when he needs it. So, he needs to carry his supplies with him at all times - thus the need for a bag. I, of course, could not help but think about his cross to bare. It also reminded me that most of us (perhaps all of us) has an internal balance of some type. On the surface, this kid has it all -- killer looks, amazing body, fashionable style -- that literally provoke heads and necks to pop and turn. Yet he deals with something that constantly keeps him grounded and real. I have no idea about his since I did not directly ask him about it, but it may explain why I found such an amazing soul and mind beneath his exterior beauty? I remember being a fat, unattractive kid, coveting the looks of the pretty people. I remember being a poor kid, coveting the riches of the rich. I used to think that I had it so bad, because of my obvious shortcomings. Life and experience certainly provide for a little relative thinking. This lesson comes to me often - reminding me to be appreciative and loving of who I am and what I have. Accepting my very own experience for the gifts and burdens that are my own. We each have them, the so-called good and the so-called bad. And, although the proverbial grass is always greener on the other side, they too have to mow it. I guess what I am saying is that we should all be happy with our own lawns. Heck, not only be happy with it, but have a picnic on it. After all, it is the one we have and all the rest is illusionary.

We parted on the tube with a good bye and thanks just as easily as we had joined at the pub with a hello and how are you. I have no idea whether or not I will ever see him again, but I am grateful for the time and space and lessons we shared. Off to Budapest in a few hours.