The heat wave in NYC was creating a meltdown. I was happy to fly across the Atlantic to London, a city of beauty, elegance, and history. It’s a city where I can breathe.
In times of transition and crisis, there are a few people I know I can turn to for nurturing, guidance, and unconditional support. My friend Ludmilla is one of these sage souls. A true Italian mamma, everything was prepared for me detoxification and rest when I arrived at her apartment – the “nest” – in Chelsea, one of London’s poshest neighborhoods.
“Super Grace!” she greeted me. With her small frame, she bounded down and immediately took charge, lugging my suitcase up the stairs. Even though I’ve visited her many times at this point, we always go through the same ritual. She explains to me that I’m welcome to use anything in the house and goes through a detailed inventory of all the food items available and all the various bath products that exist for me. The strawberries and blueberries. The key with the matryoshka Russian doll keychain. The trees outside. Letting me know exactly where all the towels are. Encouraging me to rest and sleep. On this particular occasion, she also had some homeopathic drops ready for me to recharge and revitalize. Also in classic form, she was powering out to the next appointment, a lunch meeting.
“Enjoy, Super Grace! Look at all the trees around. When you lie on the bed, you have all the impression of being in the park,” she proclaimed with her lilting and charming Italian accent. She promised to be back early, so we could have dinner. Then she swirled out.
And rest I did. My time in London was supremely serene. My daily routine consisted of a triangular circuit:
Bed -> Coffee shop on the corner, Gail’s, where the workers started greeting me in the morning with a kiss on the cheek -> Triyoga for a class -> Bed.
It has been a long time since I felt so nourished, nested, safe.
Chelsea is a neighborhood with cute low brick buildings. The main thoroughfare is Kings Road, a charming street with many shops and bakeries, capturing the essence of finer Europe. It felt so contained that I felt no need to venture out and see the sights. Sightseeing is for another time in my life. This period is really more about learning to live again.
