An 8 hour flight to London began our 15 hour layover, adventure followed.
one hour tube ride --> came above ground, welcomed by Big Ben --> rolled my suitcase behind me down cobblestone alleys --> walked to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, & the London Eye --> ate crepes made by a Frenchman on the Thames at night [took picture seen above] --> back to Heathrow airport by 1 am --> slept on ground outside security for 4 hours
London was my first chance to experience reverse culture shock. From the moment that fresh, clean air and the smell of flowers hit my nose, I began to notice just how far I was from Delhi. The streets were spotless, there were things called trash cans, organized road traffic, green vegetation, brisk breeze. And we weren't the only white people. This sounds completely conceited, but it was strange to not be stared at. Take that back, we were being stared at, but for a different reason. This time it was because 10 (very-American) tourists in drab airport clothing were lugging suitcases/backpacks around the streets of London. I had forgotten about the lack of clothing on most girls and the way that couples show physical attraction. And to top it off, we had somehow managed to go from the cheapest city to the most expensive.
The similarity is in the hearts. One of my [favorite] life lessons learned in India is that people everywhere are lost. Realization: the main reason that Indians don't accept Christ doesn't lie in the fact that they are rejecting their culture/family, but in mankind's selfish desire to have lordship over their life and their unwillingness to give up their lifestyle. Why does this distinction matter? Because the same truth is relevant everywhere...and I have an obligation to live the truth by serving others with Christ's love. In conclusion, the trip isn't over. It never is.
