On the way to Covent Garden

There is a small hotel in London that is spartan and simple, but friendly and comfortable. The carpet is a bit worn and the elevator can hold only 1-2 people. But no matter, as there are only 3 floors. The concierge greets me by name;I love the way my last name sounds when pronounced with an English accent. If work finishes early I can get back to my hotel and have some tea and biscuits in the lobby while sitting on an old but comfy sofa. It feels like home, but oddly better.

With the hotel located in the Bloomsbury section near the Holburn tube stop, I can easily walk down Longacre and be in Covent Garden within 15 minutes. The sidewalks are made of large 24 inch square tiles and they are a bit uneven. My lack of grace demands that I watch my feet or I will surely do a face plant right in front of God and everybody.

Halfway to Covent Garden there is a small Italian joint with a large picture window in front. If I am lucky, I’ll spot Molly inside, smiling with the customers. When she laughs I feel the world go into slow motion, and I can hear the sound clearly in my head. After what seems like only a moment in time, I look up and find that I made it to the Garden without a major stumble. Slowly the street musicians catch my attention and I am back in the world again.