Dear London...

Dear London,

I had always dreamed of living in your heart, roaming your streets, and admiring the city lights. Since my youth, I have liked movies set in London, and I thought, oh my god, to only live there; the city of Harry Potter, My Fair Lady, Love Actually, Notting Hill, Peter Pan, The Beatles, Elton John, Queen - all my favourite movies and artists coincidentally had London in common, but was it a coincidence? 

As I grew up, the thought of actually living in London fell into the background of my mind. London was far away; it was complicated. But the thought was never forgotten or lost. I had planned to stay in Mexico for college, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to apply in the UK. Before I knew it, I’d packed my bags, and I had the craziest smile on my face. I was a bit nervous, shocked, and even scared, yet at the same time, I felt joy, excitement, and an unstoppable drive.

London, you’ve made me encounter myself, living within you, experiencing your chaotic charm. I have found parts of myself here that I would’ve never found elsewhere. You’ve given me the courage to stand up for what I believe in, the wisdom to choose myself, and you’ve whispered opportunities to prove myself and my constant growth.

You’ve put me in situations in which I had to express what I needed, be seen, be heard. And I’ve slowly become stronger every step of the way. I have learned that everyone lives in their mind, experiencing their own London, and I’ve come to realise that the one person who will be there for me against all odds is me.

The friendships I’ve made here are very special because I chose them. The friends you make in your 20s are different from friends from back home. What I mean when I say “I chose them” is that I found people who shared my thoughts, values and culture, people with whom I resonated. I never imagined I would find sisters on the other side of the world. 

Now, you’re not the easiest to live in. You’ve also made me uncomfortable, sometimes mad, frustrated, confused, sad, and lonely at times. I’ve come to accept that you have drastic mood swings; you can have rain, snow, sunshine, and hail in one day, and honestly, I can often relate. You’ve taught me to stop chasing the next big thing, reminding me that amidst the rat race, the greatest loss is the present.

I love how full of life you are, how people come here to chase their dreams, fall in love, get inspired; But what I love most is that your heart is so insanely big that it has room for everyone to carve out their own space, to have “their own London”. 

You swept me off my feet, and what was a foreign city has now become home. You live in my heart, and a piece of me will always lie here.  

Thank you, London, for everything. 

Montserrat