London
It was a turning point for George and I when he was transferred to London for his work. He asked me: If I move, would you move with me? Of course I said yes. He purchased a round trip ticket for me from New Jersey to London and back to New Jersey. He was giving me an out with the return ticket. I thought it was a nice gesture because he knew I wasn’t sure about myself or our future. London would be an exciting trial period of sorts of living together. This was 1980.
It was beyond my wildest dream that I was moving to London. George asked me to choose the building that would become our home in the suburban area of London called Highgate. I chose a building that included a turret. We had sent crates of old furniture from the U.S., and I found other personal items to furnish it. Our new home in Highgate was like a palace to me.
It was very exciting to be in London. But how could I fit in? Oh my gosh, everyone spoke differently. I was also going crazy. For example, London didn’t have the Italian food I was used to. The chicken tasted like fish and I hated it. Later I learned that it tasted like fish because the chickens were fed fishmeal. I found out that the best place to get chicken was at Marks and Spencers or Marks & Sparks as the Brits called it. Over time, I figured out where specialty stores were so I could get ingredients that I was used to. I wanted to make my Italian sauce!
I also had to learn my way around the city. I learned how to take the Underground Tube from the northern part of the city to the southern part of the city. I also figured out how to ride the double-decker buses. In addition, it was the first time I was surrounded by incredible wealth. I was living in awe while continuing to suffer from low self-esteem. These were all small learning steps for me in London. I felt so American and also felt part of another country at the same time. It became wonderful to know London, to live in London.
London became a soul city for George and me. It’s where we became a couple. We had no interference from other people because no one knew us. London is also magical, like Disneyland for my body, mind, and spirit. The soul, that spiritual place, is so private for each of us.
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