Ventured out on my own last night (Tuesday), which as a solo traveler becomes easier and easier. Many say that they find the hardest part of traveling alone is eating at a restaurant.  That never bothers me much. For me, I am finding it harder and harder to enter a social situation where everyone else seems to know everyone and I'm the outsider barging into the circle. Back in LA or elsewhere in the US, I have zero problem.  I can easily dominate a social scene.  However, something about foreign places gives me pause. I guess that's why I force myself to do it. Stretching out of my comfort zone reminds me that I am alive. Last night was no exception.  I wandered about soho, trying to get the feel for the place I wanted to start. Initially, what I noticed were the scores of people hanging outside the bars/pubs with their pints/drinks and the ever-present fags (that's cigarettes to us Americans). The curbs and sidewalks don't really exist in this part of London, so they have cleverly painted double-yellow lines where the curbs/sidewalks should be. And, after grabbing my first pint of lager, I learned that the double-yellow "curbs" are not to be crossed. A city worker-bouncer type guy, hastily escorted me back into the lines. Big Brother hello - Orwell's vision seems alive and well. I stood alone on the street, sipping my beer, marveling at the beauty of how other people live. Wearing my True Religion jeans and a fitted powder blue thermal probably suggested that I was a visitor, given the odd glances and outright stares I received.  In these situations, I find it useful to assume I am being viewed positively - as an object of desire - rather than as an object of ridicule.  It took one full pint before I talked to someone, and only then because I overheard a guy comment to his friend about me in Russian.  Reminds me to always be careful what I say when I think no one can understand. A quick hello in Russian let them know that I was in on the joke. For the next two hours, and two pints, Youri and Alexi entertained me with their stories of being Russians living in London. As is typical in these situations, we bonded over the reaction of locals to outsiders and the pros and cons of living and traveling abroad.  They both have been in London for years.  Separately, they each teased about how much the English drink, which to me seemed a little funny considering the drinking reputation of Russians in general. 

Diego caught my attention immediately, not because of his looks necessarily, but because he seemed lost. I introduced myself, he reciprocated, and I learned he was visiting from Madrid for a month, working on his English. The rapport was quick and fruitful. Through him, I was reminded how blessed I am to be on this journey of mine.  I sometimes forget that what I am doing - traveling the world and not working for a couple of years - is a dream that many have, but never fulfill.  As I stood outside a London pub, talking to a 28 year old model from Madrid, I experienced one of those moments - a blissful epiphany, softly admonishing me to be ever grateful and ever present for the gifts of my life.  Through broken English and my broken Spanish, I communicated as best I could to Diego how I managed to manifest my reality. I remembered with him those dark days as a poor kid in Indiana, with no real hope or encouragement from others. I used to covet other people's lives and be in awe at others' experiences and possessions. I came late to the understanding that whatever I want, I can have. And, I manipulated that rule with abandon. But, having everything is not happiness. At the risk of sounding ungrateful, it is only through the accumulation of things and money, that I came to understand a separate poverty. Everything seems to have its counterbalance.  I think now, on this journey, away from the material abundance and comfort of home, I remember again just how much I am when I travel. I only packed a small backpack for this trip (basically the pack I use when I go to the gym). Gone for a month with only a small bag. Talk about narrowing down to the bare essentials. Metaphorically speaking, the lack of luggage on this trip, is offering great rewards.

I am meeting Diego for lunch. He is teaching me a lot, and he probably does not even know it.