I’ve read essays suggesting the British are a country of old souls.  (Would you believe a characteristic is heavy drinking?  Seriously.)  By contrast, Americans tend to skew quite young.  (Our priorities tend to be all mixed up and we’re an easily distracted people.)  I don’t believe in reincarnation (though, I desperately wish it were true) and soul age has no basis in science.  All that said, the Brits are definitely old souls.   

They have this particular way of shaking their head when someone (usually not British) does something stupid.  As London is such an international city, they have many opportunities to shake heads and roll eyes because someone is doing something stupid pretty much all the time.  Superficially it’s judgy, but the underlying sentiment feels more like, “Well, I know how that’s going to work out and I can tell you right now it’s not going to work out well.”  They would warn you, but can’t be bothered.  And let’s be honest, you’re not going to listen anyway.  

Oh, look at America conquering the world.  (Shakes head)  We went down that path once.  

Or … 

Oh, you’re dating a 21 year old blonde Russian named Tatyana.  (Shakes head)  I hope that goes well for you.  

Or … 

If you eat all the biscuits at once it’s not going to be good.  (Shakes head as child eats all the biscuits at once) It’s going to be a rough night for you, don’t wake me.

Or …

Honey if you pet that swan it’s …. (Shakes head, goose explodes in rage, tears)  Oh Tabatha … 

Old souls have given up trying to change the world.  In a previous life, they tried — maybe it worked out, maybe it didn’t, who knows.  Maybe they got buried inside Westminster, maybe not.  But changing the world and running businesses are things young souls do.  Old souls are just passing time, observers of the world, weary of it.  Britain and London have been around for, like, two thousand years.  It’s a long time.

In a short amount of time I go back to it, in a job full of young souls trying to make a difference in TV news.  In 1 hour we land.  In 4 hours we have dinner, again.  In 5 hours I go to bed.  Our time together has come to a close.

Again, thank you all for allowing me to share my words and pictures with you.  I am very grateful for your time and notes back to me, which I always appreciate.  If you like any pictures and want a digital copy, let me know.

Our next trip is Sicily, where RBD and I will spend Christmas and New Years with family in the port town of Taormina.  Highlights include wine, volcanoes, old things, and more wine.  There are also several vineyards in the area.  

It has been a pleasure having you all come along.  Till we meet again …