London

In the spring of 2000 I spent two weeks in London with Sonya, Kent and James. Honestly, it was one of the great times in my life and I loved the city beyond all reason, even though I caught a cold that turned into a sinus infection that left me gasping for air and swilling e. coli-laden airplane water for the whole trip back.

History lurks around every corner in London, just waiting to pounce on you and force another fact into your brain. People go to the bar every day and no one thinks anything of it. You need something to eat? There's probably a really great restaurant just down the street.

The echo and bustle of Victoria Station. The trailer park in the countryside near Stonehenge. St. Patrick's day at the pub around the corner from our hotel where the Guinness reps gave us coupon after coupon for free pints. The friendly, chatty, utterly crazy little old lady who ran the laundrette where I spent a cold morning drinking coffee, reading the tabloids and washing underwear.

I love London, and my heart aches.