It was another beautiful sunny day in London. I had a leisurely morning at the flat and then got out for a run around Weaver Fields next door. I hopped on the tube to meet Emma at Big Ben in the afternoon. We strolled along the Westminster Bridge enjoying the views of the majestic Houses of Parliament and then along the south side of the Thames, stopping for some lunch along the way. It was nice to see someone I know and catch up.

Crossing the Millennium Bridge offered more stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the afternoon light. Although I think there is usually a fee to go inside, we serendipitously arrived after they are done charging for entrance and shortly before the evening service began. There was to be a violinist playing before the service, so I decided to stick around for that, while Emma had to get home. No pictures are allowed to be taken inside, but I’m quite sure that none could do the cathedral justice anyway. It is simply amazing. I may not be a religious person, but to stare up into that dome and see the light filtering in through the high windows above the whispering gallery is nothing short of heavenly. I stood there listening and looking, trying to absorb the beauty of the moment in its entirety.

Then, on the way home, an amazing thing happened. Like Sliding Doors, I randomly decided to take the bus instead of the tube. A bus had just come, so I waited, as everything is running on holiday schedule today. Another women was doing the same and eventually we got to chatting. It turns out she is a law student too, who just began her working apprenticeship (England’s legal training is a bit different than ours). She is English, but just moved to London about the same time I got here. She also lives in Bethnal Green very close to where I live. We talked during the bus ride and got off at the same stop. As I stepped off the bus, I wondered how weird it would be to ask for her number and was relieved that she already was digging in her purse for a pen. I realized last night after having dinner with Adrian that I needed to meet more people here and make some friends, in particular female friends. Afterall, when you return from visiting a place, you will have experienced many new things and seen many new places, but it will be the people you met and those interactions that stay in one’s heart, that make a lasting impact on your soul. Perhaps I should spend more solemn time in heavenly cathedrals…

--- St. Paul's from the Milennium Bridge ---