From Heathrow With Love...

It's happening! I arrived in London last night. My favourite place in the capital is, without doubt, St Pancras Station. The architecture is so stunning, the gorgeous blue roof against the ornate gold clock. The booking office with its lost in time air, the pianos playing, reminding us that an amateur rendition of 'when the saints go marching in' is so much better than no music at all. Plus it has most of my favourite shops under one roof, without the need to make an arduous trek across London. I spent a couple of hours flicking through books and drinking coffee as I waited for Martina to finish work. I took the metropolitan line to Liverpool Street Station. Passing through Farringdon I was instantly reminded of my greatest trip to London; where I did not see daylight, travelled only one stop on the tube and spent the night dancing in Fabric, throwing up against a tree and eating tender-stem broccoli and butternut squash on toast in St Pancras before catching the 6am train home. I did the unspeakable and laughed out loud on the tube at the memory.

I couldn't believe how beautiful Liverpool Street Station was. Yet despite the beautiful buildings, glorious parks and hidden gems, the city always leaves me exhausted and disillusioned. I cannot stand the smog, dirt, crowds, sky high prices, the materialism, the way everyone is in such a hurry. As a young twenty something, it's not the quality of life I would want. I've found more joy in a Tesco in Manchester.

I often wonder if, sixty years ago, London was a beautiful nostalgic place I imagine it to be. With Frank Sinatra playing in the background, men in suits hopping onto the back of buses, a smaller, more laid back and romantic place. But now London is a heaving mass of cranes, unaffordable rents and a tube full of miserable faces.

Which is why it's always nice to find friends in London. Martina, Eliska and I all met at Martina's house in Forest Gate, we stayed up drinking prosecco as they told me stories from their trip to Nicaragua; the unspoilt Little Corn Island, the parties in San Juan del Sur, crumbling colonial towns, charming people and a country full of music and beauty. It was so good to hear people say positive things about Nicaragua, rather than voices of impending doom. Their parting words were 'have fun, and don't trust anyone!'. Sound advice.

I cannot remember the last time I was this excited! I couldn't stop smiling walking through the airport. I left early this morning. Heathrow is always enveloped in grey cloud whenever I've made a long haul flight, the perfect reminder that I will not miss the great British weather whilst I'm bathing in sunshine. I've never had such a straightforward departure, no queues and plenty of time to wander around the duty free. There was a barber shop singing by the United Airlines departure, it felt like a film. I was bouncing through the terminal with memories of racing my sisters through the gates, all colourful backpacks and cuddly toys in tow. I've had an excellent farewell breakfast as I despise aeroplane food. The plane is surprisingly empty, there is no-one on the whole of my row nor the rows behind me. I've got my favourite spot by the window. I am pleased to say that nothing feels scary, just pure excitement and such joy that it's beginning! There's so much freedom in carrying everything you need on your back, with only the bare essentials (and small luxuries like a Mac mascara and a pumice stone). I feel incredibly lucky, and so self indulgent watching the clouds knowing there is nowhere else I need to be.

Imogen

Location:S Terminal Rd,Houston,United States