Sunshine in England

I spent my afternoon in good company and sunshine. It began with a short walk from my flat passed the local vegetable stand and across from the Theatre Royal to a small restaurant. I looked to find my boyfriend Andrew walking down toward me alongside Victoria. I finally get to meet the lovely Victoria whom I've heard so much about over the years. This last week and a half I have met a handful of Andrew's friends, but I still find myself feeling nervous to meet someone new. I feel the typical worries of what will they think of how I'm dressed? how I talk? how I eat my food?

The one thing I have discovered above all, is that people are people. I may be in a new country surrounded by so many cultures in every direction, but I can still be me. Having Andrew beside me with each new experience from shopping at the grocery store to walking through the city to get to Victoria Park, makes me feel that I can accomplish and adapt to anything that comes my way.

After a perfect discussion of comparing America to England (as I find myself covering with every new person), it was settled that me and Victoria would be girls night out partners. Choosing to come here to be with Andrew has been worth leaving my familiar home and family, but mostly I was dreading not having friends of my own, hobbies of my own, and most importantly, GIRL TIME! But I can honestly say that I think I will fit right in here in England. Who thought a young Utahn girl could make it in such a historically and culturally diverse place like Bath?

Next mark in my plan for the day was to walk to the mobile phone store to unlock my service here. I hugged Victoria goodbye and kissed my babe goodbye to turn the corner on my own down the cobblestones. I looked up to the sky through the old buildings and smiled. I am really here breathing this air, with eyes wide open to this world so many thousands of miles away from where my life was built. Down through the city centre I passed by many tourists with shopping bags looking around just as interested as I am. I hear a man playing an accordion to my left. I then walk by two men playing acoustic guitars collecting several pence. I imagine them counting their total at the end of the day to head to the pub and enjoy a pint. I am just another person in the crowd to all the people that walk pass me, but in my memory I hold a very long and unbelievable journey that led me to live in one of the most beautiful, historical locations in the world.
                                                                    BATH ABBEY

One week straight of sunshine is very unusual to the UK. I believe it came with me to welcome me here peacefully and give me strength to continue this path. I am truly blessed.