The mind can be mysterious
Evie has a group of friends in London, whenever anything is going on related to them I have unpredictable reactions. I don't know why, if its something unique to that circle of friends or something about London itself, but by and large it grates on me.
This Thursday I travelled down to join Evie there, because of a Satnav screwup I drove right through the centre of the city (Evie: "oh, just head West on the M25" Me: "I'm in Park Lane, that might be a problem ..."), this was during rush hour and thanks to the ruthless London traffic by the time I saw Evie I was shaking, grouchy and had a headache.
Putting on a happy face for the other two people present just didn't work, but thankfully with some pain relief and holding hands with Evie my stress levels dropped. We saw a show ("Wicked" which is brilliant and I can heartily recommend to anyone), and headed back to the friend's house. In conversation on the train and that evening I felt constantly on guard, as if I had to be defensive for some reason.
The following evening saw a very nice home-cooked Thai style curry and more conversation, although more relaxed I was still guarded, then a horrible drive home which, for the most part, was in thick fog; fortunately I could use the satnav like a heads-up display to tell where the road was going and thus made reasonable progress. We got back at 1am, both exhausted.
I have tried to pick apart the inner workings of my mind, when it comes to London I think the personal space afforded and the rapid pace of life are what I have a problem with - I loved living in central Manchester, but London really takes it to a new level.
As for Evie's circle of friends ... I still don't know, but after 3 or 4 trips my feeling ill-at-ease is unabated. They are pleasant, cordial and generous with accommodation and food, so I don't have a good reason for my reaction. Perhaps I need somewhere else to stay, or perhaps I should just avoid London alltogether.
Answers on the back of a postcard, please ...
This Thursday I travelled down to join Evie there, because of a Satnav screwup I drove right through the centre of the city (Evie: "oh, just head West on the M25" Me: "I'm in Park Lane, that might be a problem ..."), this was during rush hour and thanks to the ruthless London traffic by the time I saw Evie I was shaking, grouchy and had a headache.
Putting on a happy face for the other two people present just didn't work, but thankfully with some pain relief and holding hands with Evie my stress levels dropped. We saw a show ("Wicked" which is brilliant and I can heartily recommend to anyone), and headed back to the friend's house. In conversation on the train and that evening I felt constantly on guard, as if I had to be defensive for some reason.
The following evening saw a very nice home-cooked Thai style curry and more conversation, although more relaxed I was still guarded, then a horrible drive home which, for the most part, was in thick fog; fortunately I could use the satnav like a heads-up display to tell where the road was going and thus made reasonable progress. We got back at 1am, both exhausted.
I have tried to pick apart the inner workings of my mind, when it comes to London I think the personal space afforded and the rapid pace of life are what I have a problem with - I loved living in central Manchester, but London really takes it to a new level.
As for Evie's circle of friends ... I still don't know, but after 3 or 4 trips my feeling ill-at-ease is unabated. They are pleasant, cordial and generous with accommodation and food, so I don't have a good reason for my reaction. Perhaps I need somewhere else to stay, or perhaps I should just avoid London alltogether.
Answers on the back of a postcard, please ...