 |
| This is Chiswick House (in the centre of the grounds) |
In keeping with my efforts to see and do as much in and around London as I possibly can before my July departure, I visited Chiswick House and Gardens with Marianne. We spent the day imitating statues, jumping off tree stumps, and having imaginary cups of tea in forrest huts. In other words, totally normal young-adult activity!
Chiswick Gardens is located just minutes from where Marianne and my other west-london friends live. It remains further evidence of just how remarkable this city is... With incredible ease you can leave the hustle and bustle of busy city streets to find natural and tranquil beauty of gardens and parks (more on that in my next post!).
Anyway, I took the train to Chiswick Rail Station and walked the 7 minutes to meet Marianne in the gardens. I took some pics while I waited.
 |
| Hike and seek! |
 |
| Don't go chasing waterfalls |
When Marianne arrived, we wandered, talked, and posed with statues!
 |
| I'm so pretty! |
 |
| Drama-king |
 |
| She's pining |
 |
| This is still in zone 2! CENTRAL LONDON PEOPLE |
I am going to use this post as an opportunity to talk a little bit about Marianne.
 |
| Waaaaay back in the day (just kidding) |
Marianne is a friend of mine from waaaaay back in the day. She is French and was living in the US for several years during elementary ("primary") school. She went to the French International school, but came to my elementary school for her final year (when she and I were both in 5th grade). As she recently said, "I wish I could go back in time and thank 10 year old us for becoming friends!"
 |
| Through the years... |
After she moved back to France, she spent a couple of weeks of the next several summers with me. I even visited her in Paris with my mom the summer before 9th grade!
 |
| At Versailles! circa 2004 |
 |
| Visiting Monet's gardens |
 |
| La Tour Eiffel |
 |
| The Louvre! |
Then, we sadly fell out of touch. I went through some stuff, she went through some stuff, and years passed.
The story of our friendship continued when I was studying abroad in Copenhagen back in 2012. Although she was studying in England at the time, she met me in Paris for a joyous and incredible reunion! After almost 7 years without any contact, we picked up exactly where we'd left off! It was truly amazing.
 |
| Reunited in 2012! |
 |
| Reunion in France in 2012 |
 |
| We have a thing about talking to statues |
She's been living in England for years now, having studied at university in Canterbury and then completing a Masters Degree in theatre in London. When I first arrived last July, she welcomed me to this city with open arms in the most selfless and wonderful way...
 |
| An attractive couple, don't you think!? |
 |
| Love love love |
I could not have asked for anything more in a friend. With a great love for exploration and philosophical conversation and a wicked sense of humour, over the past year we've had some amazing adventures and created memories to last a lifetime.
 |
| A philosophical afternoon picnic |
 |
| My co-host on Thanksgiving |
 |
| Snuggles and giggles during sleepovers |
 |
| And random dance parties |
She is--in many ways--my rock. She brings me back to earth, reminds me what is important, helps me unwind and let loose, and has helped me to engage in sooooo many aspects of life here. I will be forever grateful.
 |
| Tidying up the forrest hut |
 |
| Marianne keeps everything together when my life feels like it's falling apart |
 |
| Modesty |
 |
| Peekaboo |
 |
| Ain't no party like an S club party! |
She and I ended the afternoon with a snack of delicious parfaits at the park cafe. A perfect afternoon!
 |
| Yum |
 |
Thanks 10-year-old us! And also, thank you for getting rid of
those bangs! ;-) |
No comments:
Post a Comment