The city was exactly how I remembered it, vibrant, busy and even with the same faint melodies of street musicians playing near the tube stations. Even the pigeons are still everywhere. Hearing ‘I’m sorry, you alright, darling?’ or ‘Here you go, love,’ from locals or the baristas who prepare my coffee felt like I was back in London again.
First thing back, I had reunions with old friends and family. There’s nothing like that feeling of seeing familiar faces again. We laughed about old times, reminisced about school days and the little quirks we missed.
I wanted to see the lady that owned the corner shop. She was the best. She had everything a kid could want in her store. I never grew out of her shop; I still kept going, even after almost finishing high school. I haven’t got the chance to say hi.
And then there was the underground, with its dizzying map. The London Underground has a way of making you feel like you’re in a maze. The moment I tapped my Oyster card, I have to walk fast pace to match the movement of people weaving through the platforms like they’d done it a thousand times. The familiar automated voice“Mind the gap.” What fun was it hearing her again. Each time I told myself it wasn’t just a train ride; it was a journey through the city itself. Felt like I teleported everywhere.
I slipped back into it all. It felt as though I had never left, as though London had simply waited for me to return.
It’s Ayans blog 