Chapter 1
Bruno sat on the bench in his favorite place at Victoria Embankment Gardens. Most people go to Regent’s Park or Hyde Park but for Bruno the Victoria Embankment Gardens are prime spot of city tranquility. The proximity to the main road and the Themes is something that not many people would enjoy but for him it is reminder that even the huge city can have small treasures. When high summer will come he will trade the bench for grass but now it is too soon to sit on grass he thought. Also with curved back rest he could rest and with his head facing the sky. The sun rays danced on his face as if this was ballet of the leaves choreographed by nature itself with the assistance of gentle breeze. The oak leaves were dancing around and in those moments, when the gaps were opened the sun rays quickly rushed down towards the earth, grass and benches with faces facing the sky as Bruno was not the only one enjoying this sudden gem of spring. Sound of birds can be heard through the cacophony of the city traffic and he thought, what a gem of place where you can learn to muffle the traffic noise and trade it for the birds songs. Damn, I could be late, suddenly came to his mind as this was just short stop after flight and tube ride it was nice to stretch legs walking from Covent Garden to the Victoria Embankment Gardens.
Ahh how much I like this city and walking around, how about get some nice Matcha before I will walk through the streets of London to my favorite park. I think that there was a green shop dedicated to matcha just for the sake of it, I cannot remember the name. Well it would be good if I listen to Dan and Julia and get the smart phone, he thought as he felt his old friend Nokia X2 in his trousers pocket. Well, people are still having mouths for the conversations so let’s asks someone, maybe someone knows the matcha place. Just around the corner of the tube station was MUJI Store so they should know. Good morning sir, may I trouble you for advice, please ? Sure how can I help you ? I’m looking for place where they serve Matcha green tea and I just remember that it had green façade but cannot recall location or name, any chance you would know, where it is, please ? Ahh sure it is just few steps away but you turned to left so go our of our store turn right pass the Tube station, cross James Street and second building is where the JENKI Matcha store is, have a great day. You too and thanks, replied Bruno.
With freshly whisked Matcha he started walk down the James Street, towards the Victoria Embankment Gardens. Ahh what a great city to walk around, nearly as good as Paris he thought while taking in the scenery of Covent Garden before heading to Southampton Street taking him down to the gardens.
Yes that was a nice stroll but now I have to nearly run to Leicester Square where Dan might be stomping hole in the ground with his not really patience attitude. Yeah but we know each other for years now, and considering the friendship I guess he will wait for me but hey be on time is good as I value his friendship and time so lets stretch those legs a bit more. It is just ten minutes walking from here so I should be good. So easy to go around my favorite places in London, since the three of them were the one of the cluster of favorite places I like about this city. Good matcha, nibble something while watching street performers at Covent Garden, then little piece of tranquility in the Victoria Embankment Gardens following by culture fix of, musicals, movies, stand up comedy at Leicester Square.
Well the meeting with Dan was completely different, he thought as the memory arisen of the long time ago in the village of Tully Cross Co. Galway while having the pint of black gold in Anglers Rest Bar. Just minding my own business sipping the black soup of Guinness while waiting for Bangers and Mash to layer stomach for more drinks, the guy was sitting at next table. We were back to back and both enjoying the same thing, while waiting for the grub. Then the was couple of old ladies sitting across and having their glass of wine while chatting away, when one of them stared on us. I did not know that she starred but felt that strange feeling when you know someone is looking at ya, so I turned and faced the lady, who held her strong gaze but in suspicious and exited way. She just said ‘Quo Vadis’ in voice just strong enough, the both of us heard it but no one else. We both turned and looked at her, while in our minds the picture of different country appeared as if someone just slide new photo in our brain. She held gaze and then just added with twinkle in here eye, so you met your friend again in this life and turned again to her friends like nothing ever happened. Well I can say that we turned facing each other, just as the waitress brought two portions of Bangers and Mash.
