It was a wonderfully stormy sort of day in England when my friend Katy and I boarded a train and headed to London.
To say I was excited would be putting it mildly. Not only was I getting to ride a train in England – the land of my favorite authors, books, and landscapes – but I was going to visit places I’d only read about – Covent Garden, King’s Cross Station, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
I couldn’t believe it.
To make a good day even better, I was going to meet some dear folks for lunch including my brother Ryan (who was in town on business) and Cailin, a dear online friend Katy and I had never met in person.
It was a great day, and we were fairly giddy with anticipation.
We emerged at Covent Garden to find drizzly skies and the beaming smiles of Cailin and her husband. Isn’t it a lovely thing when people you meet online turn out to be even better in person? We got along marvelously and jabbered happily about food and travel and work and dreams.
There was a food market of some kind going on and we wandered among the stalls oohing and aahing over various foods from all sorts of countries and cultures. Before long we were craving hot drinks and a place to sit, and found the perfect visiting spot just around the corner complete with heaters and umbrellas. I ordered a pot of Earl Grey Tea and settled in for a good, long chat.
Soon we were joined by my brother, so we halted our convivial jabbering for a few minutes to order something warming. I chose a savory Quiche Lorraine that warded off the chill beautifully.
All too soon it was time to say good-bye. We hugged each other tight with promises of emails and visits in the near future, then headed off to explore the streets of London.
What city would you love to meet an old friend in?
what a beautiful post. i love hanging out with my aunt and cousins in paris. it’s a different vibe, being in a city with people who live there, rather than wandering as a tourist.
Thank you, Hila! 🙂 Ohhh, Paris would be so fun with beloved rellies! 🙂 You’re right. There’s something so nice about hanging out in a city as a local now and then. 🙂
I love meeting friends anywhere we can on our travels- it doesn’t matter what city we are in, it’s always fun. How gorgous for you to be in London with your friends and brother and exploring the city with them
I do too, Jenny! It’s such a gift to meet up with beloved friends when you’re in a strange place. 🙂
It was a great day! This made me smile so much, just what I needed, thank you! 🙂 Your photos of Covent Garden are luminous; all the more amazing considering it was such a cold, grey day!
I’m SO glad it made you smile, dear Katy! How I miss you. 🙂 I’m happy you like the pics too – I love how beamy we all look. 🙂
Krista, I am SO glad we finally were able to meet. You are such a supportive, kind and caring person and I already consider you a dear friend. I wish you much luck and happiness down under. Thank you so much for your encouragement as I embark on this life-changing experience. Hopefully we will meet up again soon but for now let’s keep in touch as much as possible. xo
We absolutely WILL keep in touch, dear Cailin! I was so happy to finally meet you face to face and hug you tight. 🙂 Hope to see you in London again one day soon. 🙂 xo
ooh yes, pain quotidien, my favorite foamy coffee!
favorite city to meet a friend…..ok this week it might be venice!!!!! next week it would have to be singapore!
It was my first time there, Paradis, and I loved it! 🙂 Such good food and the tea was perfect. 🙂 Ohhh, Venice would be such a perfect meeting spot. I’ve never been to Singapore so I’ll have to take your word for that city. 🙂
Awww you got to meet Cailin how fabulous!!! What a lovely day. And I have to say this, but your brother is SO handsome! 🙂
I was SO happy to meet her at last, dear Andi. 🙂 And I completely agree with you about my brother. He’s a very dashing fellow indeed. 🙂
How fun! I’ve been thinking of Italy so much lately. I’d probably say Florence, but there are so many places I’d like to go!
I’ve been thinking of Italy too, Erin, so I’d have to agree with you on that pick. 🙂 I’ve only been to the Florence airport and train station, so I’d LOVE to visit it for real! 🙂
What a fun day!! All my friends are so scattered all over the world at the moment that I’d take a coffee with them in a parking lot if I had to, haha
I understand and agree completely, Andrea! Anyplace with dear friends is a good place. 🙂
Hello Krista,
I have just discovered Prague, such a gorgeous city, every building there is a work of Art. As I live in Israel, I would love to meet you in Jerusalem, have you ever been there?
Love
Oh, I love Prague too, Alina!! I had no idea you lived in Israel! 🙂 I have never been but would absolutely love to meet you there. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. 🙂
We’ve met a few people in person who we’ve met online and they’ve turned out to be everything (good) that we expected and more. It’s strange but I think you can get a good idea of personalities online. Love all your photos by the way.
Julia
I’m so glad you like the pictures, Julia. 🙂 I agree with you. Sometimes people can pretend for a while, but eventually I think our true selves must reveal themselves. 🙂
Oh, Krista, this looks like it was absolutely perfect! I honestly can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon!
Thank you, Faith – it really was! I loved meeting these dear people and having such good talks and food together. 🙂
It sounds like the perfect kind of day Krista with family and old friends and new!
It truly was, Val. 🙂 Love these people very much. 🙂
How lovely Krista – so glad you got to meet Cailin and her husband (they look adorable). Couldn’t think of a much better place to meet new, and old, friends than London 🙂
They ARE adorable, Tuula. 🙂 Such dear and genuine hearts. 🙂
If I could, I’d hightail it right back to Kathmandu for lunch at Frankie’s (a tiny Nepali cafe) with my good friends who are still there. Except it’s not really called “Frankie’s”. That’s just the name we assigned the cheery guy who owns the place. And since he can’t understand much English, he hasn’t been able to enjoy this new identity. After lunch (chicken hakka noodles, of course), we’d hail a taxi, argue him down on the fare about 50 cents, and head to Himalaya Java for Blended Mochas and lengthy conversations.
I LOVE the picture you’ve painted, J9! 🙂 How amazing to have not only been to Kathmandu, but have local haunts that you claim as yours. 🙂 I hope you get to return very soon. 🙂
what a lovely post. made me smile…that is one big pot of tea !
Thank you so much! 🙂 I do love a good pot of tea. 🙂