When I went to London, I stayed in a hotel near the National Covid Memorial Wall. Every morning, I walk along the Thame river and just notice people. All kinds of people. I listened to different conversations, and I loved the variety.
One day, I saw an adult with a teenager. It seemed like he was giving him life advice. Another day, I was walking with a man and a woman behind me. They weren’t really a couple, but they were flirting — that stage where people are still getting to know each other. He was telling her about himself, about his education, and I found it so interesting. Sometimes I even slowed down on purpose just to listen. I didn’t want the conversation to end.
I also remember seeing a girl who had just graduated. She was having this beautiful photo session with Big Ben and the river behind her. And there was an Indian girl I met who was studying in the UK, majoring in food safety. We had such a lovely conversation, and she took a nice photo of me with Big Ben and the Thames in the background. I used to grab an energy juice from one of the small shops there and just walk around.
Every morning, I’d see people jogging and exercising, while I was happily just eating my energy bar and drinking water — with no intention of exercising, of course.
And then there was my “executive” Uber ride — a beautiful coincidence. I booked from the hotel, and it was my first time using Uber in London. I didn’t even know it was worldwide, not just in Qatar. A sleek black Mercedes was parked right in front of the hotel, and that was my ride. Such an amazing surprise in the morning. It took me to Oxford Street. It was early, so most of the shops were still closed, but I enjoyed the morning walk. I watched people heading to work and then wandered into a Regent’s park.