England: Ace Vela (Interact)

On another Saturday morning like any other, I woke up to a text from my fellow cohort members about going to the Southbank Centre Winter Market and found myself getting up and out of my plans to remain in my bed once again. We ventured out for a tube ride for over half an hour to see if this Winter Market was worth it, and I think it definitely was.

I was immediately encapsulated by the whimsical holiday cheer from the different shops all around decorated in red and green, the nostalgic and comforting aroma of cocoa and warm sweet treats to make up for the feeling of the cold wind hitting my face, the sound of performers and bands in different corners and families enjoying their time together, and the taste of, again, not just the sweet treats but the amazing burgers we were motivated to buy as soon as we saw them.

It was at that same burger shop where we had a notably fantastic interaction with the man who ran the place. He was immediately intrigued by us being American, but as soon as I mentioned being from Chicago, his excitement and immediate support told me I found a new friend here. From his few visits to the United States, Chicago was one of them, and he had nothing but love and happiness to share about his time in the city I call home. His understanding and empathy about the current events happening there warmed my heart as well, and that sole interaction with him, along with the delicious burgers they made with love and respect, immediately made my day a million times brighter.

We spent the rest of the day trying not to be tempted by all the delicious treats we were passing by, although we gave in to having hot cocoa and churros, and enjoying a long walk along the streets of London even as it began to get dark.

This experience shaped our own excitement about group plans to celebrate the Winter Holiday season as well as how we engage with the locals around us by expressing kindness, humor, and even solidarity from one big city to another. Each day I find myself ditching my plans to stay in bed to go on adventures like this one, I never have any regrets.