"I walked by the gas station last summer on a very hot day- and I heard children's chatter. It has been so many years since I took the time to listen to children's chatter." - My dad says.
And so- we chose London because my father at twenty went to live and work there for a while. I had never been before and I wouldn't have wanted to under any circumstance.
"September 28? Until October 4th?"
"Yes."
"Done..."
And so began our little trip together. Might I mention that my father and I had never taken a trip longer than a weekend together in all 27 years of my existence.
Our flight was as expected. Upon arrival in London my father suggested a taxi to our hotel. I wanted to take the train. He was hesitant at first, but allowed me to take a bit of a lead in the matter and this was the first unusual little happening. Our train ride to the South Kensington guts of London was a beautiful and significant moment. The train was unfamiliar to my dad and seemed very much like the layout of Paris or New York or any large city to me. And so I watched my father as I stood guarding the luggage. I watched his nostalgia for the old and forgotten awaken along with some fear of the new and unknown. After observing the people around him for a while I saw a smile emerge. Surely this was the beginning of what would be a beautiful experience together.
Our hotel was situated very close to his previous habitation. And so generally speaking our trip was the brilliant balancing act between my youthful familiarity with what's current and my father's classic tastes and general romance with this city. We had teas and coffees and selfies and shopping and proper breakfast every morning. We also just so happened to be there for fashion week- London.
Our days were spent with no specific plan just a general location where we would head. Yet somehow we always ended up in Piccadilly. We had long walks in Hyde Park and talked about the 70s and how in time there are always rebells that live life as if it were a little game- reminiscent of Antoine Doniel. I wondered about his youth there and how the city had changed in 40 years. For the first time in a while I was enjoying the present while remembering a yesterday I never intimately knew. My father took me to a musical about the Kinks and we ended up sitting next to the writer. We went to discover the new Notting Hill which now sold $300 underwear.
Dad and I Selfie in Hyde Park
This trip was in a way the marking of a new beginning. My dad and I are in the middle now, where he offers me advice and wisdom and I offer him a sense of insight to a changing world. Together the world is ours and this time in life is a beautiful place to be.
