Blog 10: The one where I Spent Easter with the Police, then business in London

To set the stage: this is a business trip.

I had to keep reminding myself of this fact because I was going to !!!LONDON!!! for the first time, so I had to keep my focus. I spent the day, (also known as Easter Sunday,) filing a police report with the Carabinieri who spoke not a lick of English, because someone decided to wipe out my bank account.

Thankfully, I spread money between accounts so I had a little to (frugally) make the trip.

Italians are not known for their sense of urgency. It was at a very leisurely pace that they took me through the process. And as my frustration built and I counted to 10 when I missed the shuttle to the airport, I decided to exhale and accept the situation as it was because there is only so much we can control. The police, by the way, had left me alone for about an hour when the 2nd in command finally came back and motioned to me. “You’ve found the chief of police so he can sign my document and I can catch my flight?!” “Che cosa? Andiamo en la camera.” What? We go in the room. So I followed him and as we got to the back- “Buona Pasqua!” Happy Easter!! I was shocked…and a little better. By the end I felt a lot better! The police had invited me to their Easter party with special Italian Easter cake and the delicacy, Coca-Cola. It was very sweet of them and very fun. After 30 minutes I looked at my watch, tapped Massimo, and he tapped his phone, hopped up, and everything became very official very fast. It was a whirlwind of signed papers, hugs, hopping in the cab and a final “Buona Pasqua” as we raced through the cobbled streets to the airport.

It still makes me smile, I spent Easter in an Italian police station partying with the police.

I made my flight, touched down in London, and had a good night’s sleep before my busy day. I woke up on a mission. This first day was designated for finishing last minute details, getting my bearings, being prepared so the next few days of interviews would go smoothly. Afterwards, I met a lot of very cool people. And I checked off my list of places I had to see: Buckingham Palace, the Green, downtown, Piccadilly Circus, everywhere! It was the best day meeting the town and I also met a fellow artist who clued me in on the best artsy locations.

The next day was my first interview. I get tired just thinking about it. It was a long journey. Even though I mapped it out, there are always nuances which arise, especially in a different country. So I patted my hair into place, smoothed my skirt, grabbed my portfolio and marched out the door.

I took a fast train from north London to the city center, from the city center to a north east city, from that city to a bus which was cross town from the train station so I walked the length of the town to the bus, where I caught a bigger bus to a smaller bus to a smaller city, then a town, and then…fields. And as I sit there, flabbergasted, on this rickety bus in the country, Jim hollers to Mary and asks, "How are your cows holding up?" And she answers, “Quite fine, old chap.” And the bus driver tells me this is the last bus into town. And I say, “last bus!?” But I’ve come this far and can’t turn back now and think what town?all I see is clouds, grass, and sheep. And suddenly we turn a corner and there is a row of the most quaint buildings on the most tranquil road- “the town.” And I disembark and leave Sue and Tom wondering where in the world is the firm because my gps is not picking up this town.

So I search the street, sunshine on face, birds chirping, feeling as if I have just stepped into my favorite Jane Austen or Henry James novel. Except I don't really have the luxury of enjoying it because this long journey has been for the sole purpose of meeting with an extraordinary architect- Mr. Terry.

After finally asking a few businesses if they knew the firm, I was continuously pointed to- "Archy-tec? Naht shua of an archy-tec, boot I do know oof a place whit pikthas in tha whin dowh. [Imagine the most endearing English accent I just have no idea how to type one.]

And sure enough, that was the ticket. I had to pull myself together and sell myself in the few minutes he could squeeze me in and I was hot and tired but did my very best and oh his work is amazing. Just beautiful. The artistry is incredible. To study under someone as talented as he would be a dream. And he is wise and sharp as well. After our quick exchange he asked me how I planned to get back, as the last bus had gone. I laughed and said, I thought I saw "Ann's Inn" on the walk to the firm, but he insisted his coworker would give me a ride. Quality people.

So, I was a bit dissapointed. I wished I had more time to meet with him and felt I did not present an adequate portrait of myself and what I would bring and how if only I had five more minutes, but I had to stop myself.

I brought my best. I did my best. It was a blessing that we even received the opportunity to meet, as our wires kept crossing. I needed to do better at being grateful. I am in London for crying out loud, in the most quaint town, on the adventure of a lifetime.

So, I thanked God for the moment and made myself be fully present in it and when I remembered how good God is, I smiled.

[sidenote] I laugh at my faces in these pictures because I was fake smiling my way through trying to be okay and after a few, I was. :)

and that's all for now because this is quite lengthy. part 2 of Londra in the near future.

Home sweet Italia.