Soon it was time to go back home. The past few months in Atlanta went by quickly like a small breeze of fresh air and now a dreadful 25 hours flight was the only thing between me and India. No amount of alcohol or entertainment would be enough to make me stay on a flight for so long (I was flying British Airways, so I was legally allowed to drink as I was 18). I had the perfect thing on my mind a two-day London exploration tour! Instantly, I called my friends in The United Kingdom, Arnav and Rob, and we decided to do just that and fly back to India together later. As I waited at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport’s Premium Lounge for my flight to London fond memories of high school flooded my brain and I couldn’t wait to meet my old peers.
I can barely remember the 10-hour flight to the English capital probably because I was too excited ruminating about what my friends had planned for us. As I got out of the plane my lungs were filled with cold yet moist air and you could smell the rain in the air, clouds blocked the sun and everything was covered by a dull grey hue produced by the few rays of sunlight that managed to penetrate through London’s eternal cloud cover and you could tell you were in London even if you miraculously managed to miss the giant billboards everywhere. I tried my best to rush through Heathrow’s legendary crowd during the holiday season but that was to no avail as it took me nearly 2 hours to come out. As soon as I got out the exit gate, I spotted my friends near the Starbucks ordering some coffee and I rushed over to join them. Arnav spotted my first and mockingly said “I thought you missed your flight ‘cause you were supposed to be outside over an hour ago!”. Rob hugged me tightly and exclaimed “Missed ya lots mate!”. After grabbing some hot coffee to keep us warm in the cold we headed over to Rob’s car which was good old Range Rover. I put my luggage in the car, and we headed over to Marriot Hotel near county hall and we had one of the most amazing views that anyone could ask for! We could see the London eye, the London Bridge and the Big Ben that, unfortunately, won’t be heard from for at least 3 years. I freshened up whilst Rob and Arnav played a game of FIFA on the PlayStation 4. Then I asked them “What’s the plan?” I was secretly hoping it wasn’t going to be a mundane city tour as I had already been around London several times and in fact lived there for a few months. Arnav and Rob grinned at each other and said “This trip is going to be amazing trust us!”.
Soon we all dressed up and got back into Rob’s car. I had no idea where we were going and was a little bit weary from all the travel. It was 11 in the night and were driving across Oxford street with all its fancy shops that were now closed for the night and we turned a sharp right down a narrow alleyway, and we stopped in front of what looked like an old run-down bar. I sighed heavily...
