Great article, as somebody who lived in London for 20 odd years, I can’t quite agree with the “othering” comment though. The centre of London is most definitely pretty cosmopolitan and overwhelmingly white but I’ve never felt different. People there just don’t give a damn as everyone is from everywhere else. As you noticed though Brixton has gentrified. Brixton in fact stopped being Brixton in the 1990’s.
Lewisham, Peckham or Hackney, are just three places where you will see black folks and great restaurants in abundance but black folks are spread pretty widely around the city. give London another try next time you’re heading in this direction and head to other neighbourhoods.
“damn American schools need to do a better job of teaching languages other than English because basically every country in the world is more multi-lingual than us and it’s embarrassing”
YES!!! My colleagues who are from or live in other countries regularly put me and the other Americans to shame. “Embarrassing” is exactly right.
Oh, it warms my heart to hear about your joy and growing strength in the face of your anxieties. Thank you for putting your heart out there. I wish everywhere had been as comfortable for you as Lisbon.
What an incredible experience. I adore that you took the time, energy and effort to make this happen for all of you. Thank you for this example and for sharing it with us.
As a mom to a soon to be 14 year old (17 days, but she's not counting 😉), this is so spot on! "They are complex and funny and smelly and also fucking brutal. They try so hard to hide the gentle little-kidness that is still very much inside of them." My daughter still is happy to jump into that little kidness and for that I'm so grateful, but then in the next minute she's allllll teen and I'm left going wtf was that?! 🤯 We've got this. I never thought I'd admire and say things like" this generation of kids.... "but here I am, watching our kids' fierce, smart, empathetic, accepting selves and peers and I can't help but think they are going to be amazing adults. ❤️
Where you find joy and beauty you find love and peace! Thank you for sharing. . . May the rest of your marriage be a forever honeymoon finding joy and love in the most unexpected places!!
Great article, as somebody who lived in London for 20 odd years, I can’t quite agree with the “othering” comment though. The centre of London is most definitely pretty cosmopolitan and overwhelmingly white but I’ve never felt different. People there just don’t give a damn as everyone is from everywhere else. As you noticed though Brixton has gentrified. Brixton in fact stopped being Brixton in the 1990’s.
Lewisham, Peckham or Hackney, are just three places where you will see black folks and great restaurants in abundance but black folks are spread pretty widely around the city. give London another try next time you’re heading in this direction and head to other neighbourhoods.
“damn American schools need to do a better job of teaching languages other than English because basically every country in the world is more multi-lingual than us and it’s embarrassing”
YES!!! My colleagues who are from or live in other countries regularly put me and the other Americans to shame. “Embarrassing” is exactly right.
So wonderful! Thank you, truly, for sharing your trip. And I’m glad the kiddos managed without you having to fly home😊
Oh, it warms my heart to hear about your joy and growing strength in the face of your anxieties. Thank you for putting your heart out there. I wish everywhere had been as comfortable for you as Lisbon.
"and honestly it was such a great investment to make." i love this for you!!! getting to put all your internal hard work into practice!
What an incredible experience. I adore that you took the time, energy and effort to make this happen for all of you. Thank you for this example and for sharing it with us.
As a mom to a soon to be 14 year old (17 days, but she's not counting 😉), this is so spot on! "They are complex and funny and smelly and also fucking brutal. They try so hard to hide the gentle little-kidness that is still very much inside of them." My daughter still is happy to jump into that little kidness and for that I'm so grateful, but then in the next minute she's allllll teen and I'm left going wtf was that?! 🤯 We've got this. I never thought I'd admire and say things like" this generation of kids.... "but here I am, watching our kids' fierce, smart, empathetic, accepting selves and peers and I can't help but think they are going to be amazing adults. ❤️
Where you find joy and beauty you find love and peace! Thank you for sharing. . . May the rest of your marriage be a forever honeymoon finding joy and love in the most unexpected places!!
Love this! I wonder if you might have a similar experience of blending in if you went to Brazil?
beajtiful! In so many ways. I love it that the Portuguese took you for Portuguese - who knew?!
And have you been told that you have an amazingly beautiful mouth?