"Le Caddie"
or a great encounter on the Eurostar
7 am not fully awake. Here I am again on the Eurostar, searching for my seat number and I could see this old Lady with a stick and a shopping trolley getting ready to sit. I found it very funny to travel with a shopping trolley, however nothing surprises me any more :)
After a couple of minutes, being the social person I am, we started to chat about the weather as we were both hoping it would be sunny in London... High expectation I know... Anyway I was sitting by this old lady and started to discover the purpose of her trip to London...
She is living in Paris, has 5 children and doesn't like warm weather certainly because of her Russian roots she said. She took a plane ride for the first time when she turned 60, ' my children bought me a flight to Barcelona as I always wanted to visit this city. But too warm and big for her to like it. So do you go and visit family in London? I asked her - No I go for the day.
I go once a month for the day because I love this city so much and If I was 50 years younger, I would have learned English "No speak English" she said to me! and lived in London. I am 80 now so I go for the day and enjoy walking from Marble arch to Tottenham court Road and do some shopping on Oxford street until I wont be able to do it any-more with my rheumatisms.
Whaouh... I was speechless and full of admiration.
We arrived at St Pancras International and I asked her how is she going to Marble Arch and said by bus 74. I couldn't leave her to take a bus so I invited her to come with me in a taxi. She was first amazed that someone would offer a trip to a stranger, She even said to me if I do that often and secondly she was so happy about it as it enhanced her London experience.
The taxi arrived and we put her shopping trolley at the back of the car. The ride started and I could see her looking at the buildings like a kid at Christmas time in front of toys'shop.
We arrived at Marble Arch and get out from the taxi. I told her goodbye and to enjoy her day, she was so thankful, telling me she couldn't believe someone would do that to her. It was nothing and by a street corner we said goodbye again to each other and I could see her walking away with her shopping trolley...
"live today as if it was your last" Thank you Genevieve!
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