A Look at London 2025

Dear Family and Friends,

Rumiko is my Japanese teacher. (She is also my English student.) One day in class, she mentioned that she and her daughter were going to London. Arisa had won a week-long scholarship to a dance school and, of course, Rumiko would accompany her. 

Suddenly, out of the blue, Rumiko asked me if I would like to join them. I was startled. I think Rumiko was, too. I don’t think she had planned to ask me at all. It just happened.

I had never expected to return to Western Europe. So, I had to adjust my thinking. But it did not take long. In fact, almost immediately, I said yes. Then Rumiko and I laughed, with both astonishment and joy.

When I talk about London, I could go on and on about famous places. Big Ben. Houses of Parliament. Buckingham Palace. The British Museum. The Tate London and Tate Modern. The V&A. Distinguished department stores. The multitude of parks and gardens. And even Harry Potter’s King’s Cross Platform 9 3/4.

Or I could tell you about the enormous variety of people. They came from all over the world. There were tourists, of course, but also locals, some born in the UK, others immigrants. 

Blacks with gorgeous hair styles and colorful fashion. 

Muslims with long robes, their women often in veils. 

Whites with brown, black, blond, or naturally red-closer-to-orange hair. 

And often with elaborate tattoos.

Of course, thanks to all of them, a potpourri of languages and delicious food.

London was organic, bubbling over, abundant. It was alive and profoundly invigorating.

But in a way, all those glorious things are on the periphery. What ran much deeper was my contact with people. Very fortunately, Rumiko and I could spend time with them, even visit some of their homes. 

I have a friend from university days who lives in London. Her house and painting studio seemed like a gallery of fine art, but was also very warm and welcoming.

Her son, my godson, has two gorgeous kids who were delighted to entertain us simply by being who they were.

Her daughter, my goddaughter, has two teenage girls, also my goddaughters. With three goddaughters in one family, I feel a very close bond with them. They were visiting from Türkiye, where they live. Of course, that added to the international dynamic in that household.

Later Rumiko and I had extremely unusual experience. One morning we were taking a walk behind our hotel. It was in a residential area with lovely brick homes. Each one was unique and had well-kept gardens. But suddenly we came upon a plot of land that looked like an overgrown forest. It seemed out of keeping, so I tried to peer through the trees, wondering if there was a house. I thought I saw a bit of one, but was uncertain. Rumiko also could not be sure of seeing anything like a home. So, we soon moved on.

But a few minutes later, we heard someone calling to us. An elderly man was running after us, saying, “Please come, see my yard.” And with that, he escorted Rumiko and me through the mini-forest into an open space with grass and a rose garden. It was haven of loveliness. 

Since we were so enthusiastic, he then invited us into his home. It had a large glass window, allowing him light and a good view of his garden.

He reminded me of my father when he was old and living alone. It seemed he was lonely and wanted some human contact. That touched me deeply. We chatted for a while and then Rumiko and I left. I hope he was as filled with joy at our meeting as we surely were. And still are.

I went to London, not sure what to expect. The food was meant to be awful. It wasn’t. The people were meant to be distant and overly proper. They weren’t. The weather was meant to be terrible. It was perfect. 

In fact, the whole trip was perfect. I am very glad I went. London was wonderful. But best of all, Rumiko is now not only my Japanese teacher and English student, but also a friend.

Love,

Anne