Journal Entry from London

Part of one of my classes when I studied in London was to write journal entries. The assignment was completely open-ended and the journal entries could focus on any topic of our choice. Being that I love to write, this was very exciting for me and I enjoyed writing each of entry. I was looking through my journal last week and came across this entry. I remember this day with great detail and reading it now makes me want to move back to London (full disclosure: Bridgit and I have talked about it). Rereading this entry also inspires me to begin to journal again; just need to make the space. 

July 18, 2012

I saw children with such innocence and energy running through the water fountain, a businessman working on his laptop with ignorance, and a woman smile as she watched the young children. I saw one couple talking on a bench and another kissing on an opposite bench, a man next to them smoking a cigarette, slouched with a face of frustration, anger, and annoyance. I saw an older woman in a wheelchair approach an older man already seated on a bench. I imagined them to be childhood friends. I saw colleagues share a lunch break, enjoying the tepid warmth and intermittent sunshine. I saw a large group of young adults playing Wiffle ball with high competitiveness highlighted by loud cheers and deep boos. I saw a young man lying on the grass with his arms draped over his face, shielding his eyes from the sun or trying to hide himself from embarrassment, shame, and/or the world. I saw grade school students pass through in matching uniforms, and a young man reading a textbook with high attention. I saw men and women pass through on cell phones, foreign families trekking to the next tourist attraction, suited men headed to their next meeting. I saw women in dresses, skirts, jeans, and skirts over jeans. I saw men in khakis, jeans, button downs, t-shirts, ties, and sports jackets. I saw construction workers in bright yellow, reflective vests and a woman playing fetch with a spotted beagle. I saw a preteen boy listening to headphones while watching a younger boy circle endlessly around the fountain on a scooter. I imagined they were brothers. I saw people with berets, bandanas, baseball caps, bucket hats, scarfs, saris, shawls, and raincoats. I saw sandals worn with and without socks, and men with and without ties. I saw a woman eating a banana and a man drinking a coffee. I saw men with full beards, moustaches, goatees, and clean-shaven faces. I saw briefcases, backpacks, messenger bags, man purses, purses, clutches, shoulder bags, fanny packs, tote bags, plastic bags, and trendy reusable bags. I saw sunglasses and reading glasses. I saw iPhones, Blackberries, and Androids. I saw tube and city pocket maps in the hands of tourists. I saw SLR cameras and Point and Shoot cameras. I saw punks, hipsters, preppies, goths, wannabes, and bros. I saw the presumably rich and the presumably poor. I saw heterosexual couples holding hands and homosexual couples holding hands. I saw two dirty men with torn clothing talking loudly while sipping on beers as they passed through. I saw men with long hair and women with short hair. I saw Asians, Americans, Indians, Europeans, Africans, and a mix of them all. I saw newborns, babies, children, preteens, teens, young adults, adults, and the elderly. I saw more than I could have imagined in just one hour of my life seated in Russell Square Park in London, England on a Tuesday afternoon. I saw that we are all so different, but very much exactly the same.