London and surroundings with Dana

My visit to London wasn’t all about Vasiliki (see post below). On the contrary, the lion’s share of my time was spent with another living souvenir from the Indian subcontinent. Dana and I arrived at the same time at the international airport in New Delhi and were treated the same reception by a gang of Indian AIESECers who took us to their favourite hangout where they during the course of the afternoon smoked a package of cigarettes each. From that day late in August 2008 on I stayed in Delhi until my departure in February of the following year, whereas Dana’s programme took her to various places in India where she got to spend a month here and a month there, only to return to Delhi by the time the incessant heat had given way to more bearable late autumn temperatures. It was only four years later when I moved to London for a few months that we got back in touch and it was now with great pleasure that I got to spend another weekend in her presence. As we discovered during our weekend in the peak district that we share a common passion for hikes (link), Dana had spotted a 15 km walking route around Winsor castle. The perfect combination of exercise, fresh air, and plenty of scope to catch up while strolling along made for a lovely Saturday afternoon. The evening featured food in one of my favourite eateries in London, a tiny Pakistani restaurant tucked away in between units similar in appearance but all so much less tasty, and a good bottle of wine in an underground bar just off Brick Lane with great live music. Fully caught up on all the mutual gossip we’re good to go for another few months until the next hike, scheduled for either Ireland or the all famous lake district in ‘the north’ (of England). Dana love thanks for hosting me, it has been a genuine pleasure as always!