Friday Night Lights

 I remember that it was a Friday that day. It was almost midnight and we had just gotten off the tube railway from Watford and pulled in to Bayswater station overlooking the Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. It had been a long day of sightseeing and we were really tired. We also had a day trip to Cambridge University planned for the next day, which I was really looking forward to. We were going to head back to our rooms and call it a day, but, we had an unexpected change of plans. Like how they always say, you've never seen a city in its whole, until you've experienced its night lights. And since this was our last night in London, we didn’t want to miss out on the whole 'Night Tour'. So we took a train to Westminster and walked all the way down to Buckingham Palace. And it was the ' golden way of delight'. The cool crisp air brushed past me as we strolled past the gardens leading to the main gate. I peered through the iron rods hoping I could see something interesting. At that moment, I felt like Michael Fagan, thinking of ways to break into Her Majesty's residence!  Anyways, soon after the royal tour was over, we walked down the Westminster Bridge, one of the thirty five majestic bridges crossing the Thames.

"A note of salt 

Slips in and the river rises

Darkening to the color of tea

Swelling to meet the green 

Drum and cannon cry out

In a roar of thunder 

As the river rolls under"

I remembered this beautiful poem walking across the Thames and was instantly transported back to the 1800s. Parallel to the Westminster bridge on both sides ran the Lambeth Bridge and the Hungerford Bridge.

We reached Southbank. Beside the River Thames, the South Bank is a dynamic area at the heart of London’s cultural scene. The Southbank Centre, National Theatre, and BFI film theatre are all world-class art venues. The riverside walkway is lined with trees, restaurants and historic pubs, and is the site of frequent fairs and events.

  I looked around. The entire area was lit up. There was a bustle of activities going on in every nook and corner. It was alive, but yet so serene, you felt disconnected from the rest of the world. It was as if you could keep walking on and on, beauty at every step mesmerizing you, and the road would never end. Literally. The road never ended. We soon lost track of time as we continued to parade down, crossing bridges and late night cafés, along the riverside. After what felt like an eternity, our feet began to betray us. When we checked what time it was, the clock showed 2.00 am. What! When did that happen! Funny how beautiful places can make you forget things like sleep and a schedule. That’s when we actually realized the gravity of the situation. We were lost! 

Immediately, we ran to the nearest tube station to take a look at where exactly we were, and which line would take us home. But, unfortunately, the last train had already left! Also, the distance between South Bank and our hotel was close to 20 kilometres, so it was not like we could just walk home! At Towerbridge, the stationmaster was kind enough to guide us, to the right bus that would take us to Bayswater. He also told us that we would have to change the bus twice. We got on and  off the first bus and started looking for the next one. Wandering the empty streets of London was a completely new experience for me as I had never been in such a situation before. We looked for the location told to us by the master, and sat down on a bench close to the said bus stop(finally). Everything after that was a blur. I don’t remember what we did, or after how much time a bus to our station finally arrived. When it did, and we got to our hotel, it was past 4.00 am. Obviously, we decided that the trip to Cambridge would be off. I was upset, at first, because I really wanted to see the renowned university, but, now it was too late.

 However, later that week, this incredible incident got me thinking. When would be the next time I would roam the streets of London? When would I ever get the thrill of being lost in an unknown city again? When would be the next time, I wouldn't know what was going to happen next? 

Our life seems to be so mediocre and mundane, that we hardly get the novice of experiencing something off the hook and crazy. We always know what's coming next. We always try to be prepared. But this encounter taught me that sometimes, you just have to let life surprise you. You have to let go of control and just go with the flow.   

After all, ' zindagi mein kuch paane ke liye, kuch khona padta hai. Jitna bhi try karo, sab kuch nahi milta. Toh jahan hai, vahi ka mazaa lete hai!'

And some paths, cannot be discovered, without getting lost. 

For there, awaits…adventure!