Day #10 Of Vacation: Goodbye London. It Was Fantastic!

Melissa Smith
Jul 10, 2017 · 7 min read

Instead of taking time off from writing, I’ve decided to experiment and write my vacation in the third person.

June 8 — Waking up this morning was different. She was both excited to get back to work and meet up with the group in Prague. Melancholy would also describe how she felt about leaving London. So many memories. Different firsts which seemed more obvious as she leaves in the manner she had arrived.

There was time for her usual trip, her last trip, to Patisserie Valerie for coffee, eggs, and toast. Over breakfast and while reading she scanned the cafe to take everything in one last time. Commit it to memory. She didn’t know when she’d be back. Her mornings here have meant so much. The staff treats her kindly. In all the countries she’s been a “regular” this is the only place to adopt her so quickly.

On her way out she paid the check and thanked the man and woman behind the counter for all their hospitality. The owner won’t be in until later today and they promised to give him her best when he arrived. She hoped there would be a place like this in Prague.

Walking out of the cafe, the gate she once used to walk through was in front of her. It had been on every occasion. Today it was time to say goodbye to it as well. Goodbye to the memories on the other side. She knew even if she came back this might not be where she stayed. Nor could the past week be recreated. It was special, but it was a first.

The black painted gate seemed shiny today. She couldn’t physically see anything behind it. She didn’t need to. Her mind held the pictures of the walkway, the garden, the balcony, and the home. Something inside made her touch the gate.

Like putting a hand to a heart she placed her palm on the wood as if it was still living and closed her eyes to take a breath. It was a quick moment and she smiled a little at both how dramatic and ridiculous she must be. Vacation is officially over.

Her things we packed and she took her three phones out to make sure she had everything. Problem. Her main phone, the phone with international coverage was not working. It would not even turn on. Nothing. Not a complete disaster, she thought. She had already written everything down she would need.

The black taxi took her to the train station. Like a wide-eyed little girl she took in her final views of London. Every building, every person, every flower, and peered into every window. There’s so much to see and although she’s seen a lot this feeling is familiar.

Each month she leaves a country just as she is getting comfortable. A month is about the time it takes to feel really at home. Settled. It’s also when any fear and uncertainty is gone and her eyes are opened to the beauty all around. These were streets she wished she had gone down. There’s only so much time as well. Hopefully three weeks in Prague will be enough.

Getting on the train was easy and a seat was available. Instead of trying to look over and through people out the windows she took out her book and began to read. Suddenly a shot of pain ran through her head and startled her.

A man had taken off his backpack and flung it around to put in the luggage rack. When he did a loose strap whipped around and hit Melissa in the head. At the end of the strap was a heavy metal link of some sort. It certainly wasn’t plastic.

Melissa looked up at the man waiting for an apology. Not only did he not offer one he was completely oblivious to what had happened. She turned back to her book and looked up to see the older woman across the table laughing at the situation. Melissa began to cry.

Two of her biggest fears had played out almost simultaneously. She was invisible to one person and laughed at by another. The tears were not loud and nor were they out of pain (even though she did keep checking for blood). Frustration was what caused the strong emotions. After all she’s done and everything she’s tried to overcome, people are still ignoring and laughing at her. Not anymore.

As the train was arriving at station she grabbed her luggage and waited for the man to come pick up his. When he did and before he could fling around his backpack again she stopped him and said, “You need to fasten your strap. When you put it on the rack your strap hit me in the head and it hurt. A lot. You didn’t even notice me.” He gave his apology and fastened the strap.

Melissa then turned to the woman who laughed at her and told her how rude she was. The woman had nothing to say. While both people seemed genuinely sorry she didn’t care. Neither of their responses were going to make her feel better. The only thing that did was speaking up for herself and making sure she wasn’t invisible. Melissa is somebody even if she is nobody to them.

— —

Airport experiences are never the same and Melissa has become to used to many things now. Entering a new country with no help and no one waiting for her wasn’t bad at all. She exchanged money, went through customs like a grocery store checkout line, and picked up her bags very easily. Of course anything would have been easier than getting into London.

She has a call later this evening and it’s already late in the afternoon, getting food is a must. Before heading out to get a taxi she stopped at a food counter and ordered a panini, grapes, wine, and water. What a difference the service is already.

Not sure what she did, she knows she’s done something wrong. The people behind the counter are rolling their eyes at her and speaking in another language about her. While it was completely rude, Melissa was trying to understand so she wouldn’t make the same mistake again. The only thing she could think of was not telling them it was for takeaway immediately. It must be a huge offense here.

A line of taxis waited outside and she went to the front of the line to get one to take her to the apartment. Her phone still isn’t working and all Google could say was to send it back. Of course, they won’t mail it back to her so not a huge help. As was best practice she had written down the address and showed it to the driver. Off they went.

The drive into Prague seemed quite normal. Like a drive through any suburban neighborhood. There was nothing out of the ordinary. Or was there? She already feels at home. This is her new normal. Not only that, it is what makes her feel comfortable.

Constantly moving and changing locations, cities, countries, apartments, languages (not that she speaks any differently) is no longer especially exciting or thrilling. Now it’s normal. Comfortable. Until now she didn’t realize it. Even on the plane her thoughts were all over the place. Here, in this cab, being driven to an apartment she’s never seen, to an unfamiliar location, she finds herself getting centered.

Suburbia turned into fantasy land as they reached the city. She saw bridges and water, beautiful buildings, and an amazing skyline. It’s what she imagined Prague might be, but better.

Fantasy land turned into reality when she entered her neighborhood. Architecturally it was still beautiful in ways that were almost random. However, this is daily life and how people live. She wondered where the cab would stop and what would be home for the rest of the month.

Home was on a side street in a fairly busy neighborhood. Not too bad. Thank goodness she had the codes written down as well, because no one was there to assist. The first code was to enter the building. The next code was to open the lock box and get her keys and passwords. Now to find her room, #15. Signage was good. No stairs. Right next to the common area patio. All positives so far.

Inside the apartment was amazing. There was a foyer area with a wardrobe closet and coat rack. Opposite the wardrobe was the bathroom. Nice size with a large shower and in the corner a washing machine and full size ironing board. Past the foyer and another door was the kitchen, living, and sleeping area.

A big comfy chair was the first thing she saw. Next to it was a night stand and a good size bed. On the left wall as you enter was the kitchenette and to the right of that a table and three large, high back, slightly overstuffed chairs. Against the wall was a large dresser with six drawers and on top of it a flat screen TV. Melissa was very pleased. This was easily one of her favorite apartments so far.

There wasn’t much time to do anything but get connected to the wifi so she could make her call. No connection problems!! She began working and then before she knew it, several hours had passed. The food she purchased earlier was all gone and she was hungry again.

First, she thought of delivery. Not an option. I guess everything closes by 11pm here. Looking at the map there was a convenient store which stayed open until 1am. With no phone service she wasn’t comfortable enough to venture out. Instead she posted in the Slack channel. One of the new Roamers had leftover pizza. Perfect!

My end of day gratitude:

  1. Not being charged for my overweight luggage.
  2. Making it safely and easily to another country and my apartment.
  3. Loving my new apartment!

Support my travels.

My Year As A “Roamer”

The daily life of a human while working and living in 12 countries in 12 months in 2017.

Melissa Smith

Written by

World traveler. Virtual Assistant Matchmaker. Remote Work Consultant. Entrepreneur. Bestselling Author. Mother. Sister. Daughter. Human. Everybody is somebody.

My Year As A “Roamer”

The daily life of a human while working and living in 12 countries in 12 months in 2017.

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