Part 1: London
Where curiosity first took flight.
Welcome, dear friend. Thank you for walking this path with us.
✨ If you’re reading this on HealTrueLove.com, you’re already in the right place!
Here you’ll find the complete multimedia journal with photographs, a curated YouTube playlist, the companion podcast episodes, field recordings, and heartfelt reflections woven together as they were meant to be experienced.
This travel memoir unfolds as a series, carrying us across England’s storied cities, sacred landscapes, charming villages, and windswept coastlines, one chapter at a time. From London to Brighton, Arundel, Avebury, Stonehenge, Tintagel, St Ives, and beyond, each chapter invites us deeper into England’s history, culture, beauty, and spirit before following us all the way home again.
We begin here in London, where curiosity first took flight.
Together we’ll wander vibrant neighborhoods, ancient streets, hidden gardens, remarkable architecture, meaningful conversations, and countless moments of wonder that welcomed us into England.
Each chapter builds upon the last, inviting you to journey alongside our family as the pilgrimage unfolds through unexpected encounters, hidden treasures, and delightful discoveries along the way.
Whether you choose to read, watch, or listen, I hope each piece enriches the others, inviting you to wander alongside our family through this unforgettable chapter of our lives.
🎥 You’ll find companion videos throughout this journal. Simply press Play anytime to step into each moment with us.
Some journeys stay with us long after we return home, becoming part of our soul’s blueprint as we climb up the evolutionary spiral, sculpting us lifetime after lifetime, breath by breath.
Freshly arrived in England. London’s iconic red telephone booth. Breathtaking Sky Garden. London’s highest public garden greenhouse, with breathtaking 360° views above the city.
Colorful seaside charm of Brighton Aquarium. We were falling in love.
Like the building of a sacred temple, stone by stone, sketched from every dream and soul longing, the foundations of love grow stronger with our devotion, allowing new chambers of self-discovery to open with greater ease as we learn to trust in the Divine and in the wise, sacred web-flow of Life.
In turn, life and its many wisdom keepers entrust us with ancient wisdom that patiently awaits the season when our hearts have ripened enough to receive and steward it with humility, responsibility, integrity, and loving service.
True self-remembrance unfolds much like a baby bird gently breaking through the shell that once served as its cozy home. With determination and curiosity, its tiny wings begin to unfurl as it discovers a whole new sky it never knew existed.
The pages that follow are one expression of those newly opened wings and all the little flights that stretched us into who we were becoming.
For years, we dreamed of this moment.
Our family of fledglings finally exploring places that had long lived in our hearts. After years of studying, healing, growing, repairing, saving, creating, and learning to become parents, we finally gave ourselves permission to take off.
Even then, I still felt a tender current of nervousness beneath the excitement.
There was always one more reason to wait. Yet I realized we could keep waiting forever, or we could trust that yearning and grow as we went. Looking back, taking that leap became so much more than travel. It is one of the greatest gifts we could have given ourselves. It expanded our confidence as a family and awakened even bigger dreams for the adventures still to come.
Walking along Constitution Hill toward Buckingham Palace, our little dream catcher reminded us that every grand adventure begins with curiosity… one Egyptian goose at a time.
It is such a joy to now share this magnificent journey with you. Perhaps fledglings never feel completely ready before leaving the nest. At some point, they simply trust their wings… and the life that made them.
What first called us there…
was an invitation into ceremony, soul transformation, and meditation throughout iconic sacred sites and lesser-known historic and mythical landscapes, guided by our beloved teacher, Ash, whose homeland made this wandering all the more meaningful.
These primordial landscapes became mirrors for the soul. Somewhere along the way, our son looked up and said, “Mom, I’ve been here before.”
It was one of those moments my heart tucked away, so that someday, when he is older, I can remind him of the wonder and light he carried so naturally as a child.
Through Ash’s guidance in ceremony and our collective presence, we participated in cleansing and activating ancient gateways that, within this tradition, are understood to support peace, harmony, and deeper interplanetary communication in service of Earth’s evolution.
Do you notice the little angel of light dancing above the clouds, with the sun shining like its radiant heart? Coincidence… imagination… or one more of the many little winks we received from the journey? I’ll let you decide.
As we grounded, healed, and gently released what no longer served us, I experienced a profound inner opening, as though we, too, were becoming clearer portals and channels for love and transformation.
Sharing this experience as a family was a memorable blessing and the beginning of a new chapter in my own spiritual studies, introducing me to a lineage of wisdom that traces back to the ancient Egyptian mystery schools. Watching our toddler walk these age-old paths with dazzlement remains one of the greatest gifts of the journey, as these timeless landscapes became woven into some of his earliest memories.
Before we begin, perhaps make yourself a warm cup of tea. Come sit beside us for a while.
As these pages gently bloom, like a wildflower garden beneath the loving light of the summer sun, may they invite you to…
🌿 Slow down.
🍃 Breathe deeply.
✨ Wander with an open heart.
💛 Savor the jourey
✨ Awaken your imagination.
🪶 And remember that every adventure begins with a single step.
May these reflections remind you that the sacred is something we lovingly craft with every step, every choice, and every act of presence.
It all lives within the Earth… within the quiet rhythm of our everyday lives… and within our hearts, where every adventure leads us back home to ourselves.
Perhaps every quest is simply another shell we are lovingly invited to outgrow as an offering for our soul’s growth and our contribution to the evolution and uplifting of humanity and the Earth.
Companion Conversations
Prefer to listen while walking, driving, or enjoying a warm cup of tea?
These episodes invite you to experience our journey through the warmth of the spoken word, where stories, emotions, laughter, pauses, and reflections take on a life all their own in ways that words on a page can never fully capture.
I invite you to have a dialogue with me through these special conversations from The Empowered Soul Podcast.
🎙 Episode S1E52 : How Do You Trust the Journey Before You Can See the Path? | England, Sacred Sites & Pilgrimage — Part I
From the excitement and challenges of traveling abroad with a young child to the amazement of England’s sacred sites, join our family’s unforgettable sojourn through London, Avebury, Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and beyond.
🎙 Episode S1E53 : What If the Journey Begins When You Come Home? | Integration, Cancer Season & Soul Purpose — Part II
Returning home, we journey through Cornwall, Tintagel, and St Ives while reflecting on Summer Solstice, Numerology 7, Cancer season, and the deeper spiritual lessons that continued unfolding long after the odyssey ended.
The Journey Begins
One of the biggest lessons of this exploration unfolded before we had ever boarded the plane…
just two weeks before departure, and truly in the nick of time.
Like many dreams, this journey came with a price tag that honestly felt far beyond what seemed possible. There were many moments when I wondered, will this all come together with grace and ease?
Through one of my Kabbalah learnings, I practiced something beautifully simple: my role is to become the faithful steward of the dream; the Divine is the ultimate collaborator.
“God is my CFO.”
I wrote my savings goal on our kitchen calendar, where each day for eight months, I would give it little winks, smiles of trust, and mini pauses to bless it. “Remember the dream” and continue the tasks of the day.
Little by little, life began rearranging itself in ways I never could have planned. Doors opened with perfect timing, and even our beloved truck sold at exactly the right moment. By the time everything came together, not only had the goal been met… it had been surpassed.
Perhaps there is a dream quietly calling your heart too. Don’t be afraid to give it a home. Write it down. Name it. Bless it. Hold it with love. Then become the dreamer while trusting the Divine as your greatest manifestor. Sometimes the path appears only after we have taken the first faithful step.
That experience reminded me that trying to control the dream often robs us of its magic. When we lovingly relinquish the need to know every step ahead, we make room for wonder.
The dream is already in motion, it grew legs. It was born the moment your heart said yes.
Life has a mystical way of revealing unexpected pathways, synchronicities, and miracles that will sweep you off your feet. Every challenge carries within it the seed of its own answer. Our invitation is simply to trust… and keep walking in love.
Standing beside the biggest airplane my son had ever seen, I felt a long, deep exhale of relief.
After countless late nights working through endless “just in case” checklists and navigating illness worries, we had finally been led to this precious gift. It had been 21 years since I had last lived in Europe and just as long since my husband had been farming in Ireland.
Gratitude, tears, and a joyful medley of excitement filled our hearts as we reached what felt like the summit of our own Mount Everest.
Little could we imagine how profoundly this expedition would expand our sense of possibility, strengthen our confidence as a family navigating this beautiful, wild world, and weave kindred friendships across the globe, including one that inspired our sweet three-year-old to innocently whisper, “Mom… I fell in love with her.“
So many moments of awe and self-discovery, golden nuggets that took our breath away, awaited us across the great ocean.
Every great adventure begins with a single step. No step is too small or unimportant.
Take it. You never know what marvels may be quietly waiting around the next bend, across an ocean, or in a quaint little coffee house where love has already saved you a seat.
Now… imagine turning the page.
London Calling…
Day 1
We nestled as cozy as we could, claiming an entire row of seats while Sparrow happily charmed the flight attendants and made instant friends with the passengers behind us.
Even so, despite being well nourished and wonderfully cared for, sleep escaped us. We looked like a family of sleepy contortionists sprawled across the seats after a party that had gone on far too late.
Jet-lagged but filled with anticipation, we were beyond excited to place our very first footsteps upon new soil. Warm smiles welcomed us as towering airport buildings stretched toward the sky, making us feel wonderfully small in this grand new adventure.
We breezed through customs with surprising ease and soon found ourselves calling our very first Uber, a mode of transportation that quickly became our favorite, especially while traveling with a young child. In London, children can legally ride in the back seat without a car seat when traveling by taxi, as long as they are properly seated with an adult.
Approaching Heathrow, with the winding Thames welcoming us below.
A smooth Heathrow arrival and our very first London Uber. Our cozy little London nest for the next few days.
Every ride became its own little adventure, offering a window into London’s daily heartbeat. We enjoyed fascinating conversations with many of our drivers while watching little scenes of everyday life unfold beyond the windows. Passing through neighborhoods, admiring their distinct character, ornate historic architecture, and captivating mews — quiet little lanes lined with adorable homes and hidden garden sanctuaries — we discovered details we might have otherwise missed had we traveled only by the crowded Tube.
The journey between destinations held just as much magic as the places we came to see.
Arriving early that morning, we were eager to drop our bags and begin exploring, but our exhausted bodies quickly reminded us that we had just crossed an ocean.
Thankfully, our neighborhood of South Kensington was filled with wonderful cafés and restaurants just steps from our Airbnb. We found ourselves irresistibly drawn to a vibrant Lebanese restaurant, where every bite was delicious.
One of the things we quickly fell in love with about London was its incredible diversity. Every cuisine, language, and culture seemed to be just around the corner. South Kensington, our neighborhood, was home to embassies and consulates from around the world. In fact, our flat sat just below the Embassy of Yemen!
As we wandered the streets, a symphony of languages floated through the air. Some we recognized, many we didn’t. Each one was a beautiful reminder that the whole world had gathered here. In fact, it is said that more than 300 languages are spoken throughout London, making it one of the most linguistically diverse cities in the world.
A gorgeous Lebanese lunch at Comptoir Libanais, where we enjoyed our very first taste of authentic, silky-smooth, freshly made warm hummus, just as I remembered it from my years living in the Middle East.
After enjoying our meal and packing the rest to take home, our little boy fell asleep in our arms. We followed his lead, walked back to our little nest, and all happily napped for nearly four hours.
Retrospectively, it was one of the best decisions we could have made for easing the effects of jet lag. We rested deeply, woke while it was still daylight, stretched our legs with another long walk, and enjoyed one more nourishing, scrumptious meal at the authentic Italian restaurant, Locanda Ottoemezzo. By evening, our bodies had already begun settling smoothly into England’s rhythm.
Our favorite Italian peach juice, succo di pesca, together with calamari, Caprese salad, and authentic pizza made for a delicious first evening in London.
As Evening Fell Over London
Views along Cromwell Road, our home away from home.
Wandering hidden little alleys and adorable streets.
Secret Gardens & Storybook Mews
Our first evening wandering Kensington Gardens. The magnificent Albert Memorial, one of London’s most breathtaking Victorian treasures.
Lush flora everywhere. It made perfect sense. The rain visited us on and off throughout our stay.
🎥 Press play for an evening gratitude walk through Kensington Gardens. (0:44)
What an exquisite arrival!
We even stumbled upon the incredible Gorilla Circus acrobats rehearsing in the park, listened to London’s famous green parakeets, and filled our tummies with gratitude. Evening strolls are the perfect recipe for surrendering to sleep… or so we thought!
🎥 Press play for a glimpse of what our little explorer had in mind once we returned to our abode… (0:06)
One of my favorite cozy rituals while traveling, and one that helped us tremendously with jet lag, was returning to our little abode by 8:00 p.m. We would settle in, take warm showers, prepare for the next day’s adventures, and end the evening with heartwarming mugs of chamomile, lemon balm, and mandarin rooibos tea.
Those quiet moments became our way of winding down… although our little guy almost always had one last burst of wildness to shake out before bedtime, joyfully bouncing around the room while we smiled and soaked it all in.
Our nest was tucked away in the basement, making it a quiet little burrow. Another bonus? It was fully equipped with a kitchen and even its own laundry!
Sometimes the wisest way to begin an adventure is simply to honor the body that will carry you through it.
No Plans, Only Wonder
Day 2
Good morning, London!
After a cozy cup of coffee in our nest, we set off on foot toward the magnificent Natural History Museum, not yet realizing just how full this day would become.
From the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and Big Ben to the birds of St. James’s Park, hidden artistic gems, heartfelt encounters, and a few unforgettable surprises far beyond the typical tourist trail, this day became one of the richest of our entire journey.
Let’s go on this wonder together!
🎥 Press play for a mini stroll from our nest to London’s Natural History Museum. (0:56)
Lines can grow quite long, so I recommend reserving a free timed-entry ticket in advance or arriving right when the gates open, just as we did. We rewarded ourselves with a second coffee and a delicious pastry breakfast at the museum’s beautiful café beside the entrance before beginning our visit.
A cozy café where warm wood, soaring glass, and museum views invited us to linger a little longer.
An ornate entrance worthy of the treasures waiting inside.
Historic flora and exotic botanical survivors flourishing just outside the museum.
The iconic blue whale skeleton soaring above the museum’s grand entrance hall.
I always keep my eyes open and my heart attuned to those little flutters that remind me my mom and Pixie are near. These were their morning greetings shortly after arrival. Throughout the journey, moments like these found us again and again… just as they so often do in everyday life.
If you knew Pixie, you’d know exactly why this made me smile. And my mom’s beloved red macaw, Lucy. I like to imagine they’re still together, watching over us.
The exhibits were spectacular! I especially loved the beautifully preserved taxidermied birds and the thoughtful exhibits highlighting conservation and their natural habitats. We also marveled at the stunning rock and crystal collection before moseying downstairs to meet the museum’s famous T. rex. Without a doubt one of the biggest highlights for our son.
🎥 Press play for a glimpse of our little explorer’s first encounter with the mighty T. rex. (0:30)
There was so much more to explore at the museum, but we also wanted to honor our pace. We focused on a few highlights, and by the time we finished, our hearts felt full and satisfied.
Before leaving, we wandered through the museum’s lush gardens, although our journeys are never quite straightforward. Our son, I truly don’t know how he does it, has a knack for randomly choosing people along the way and asking them their names. More often than not, they burst into smiles, conversations begin to flow, and just like that… another unsuspecting soul has fallen under his spell.
We then hopped aboard one of London’s iconic red double-decker buses just in time to escape the rain. We stepped off at Wellington Arch and were quickly entertained by yet another one of our son’s delightful surprises: a determined goose hunt along Constitution Hill!
🎥 Press play for a wild goose chase… literally! (0:12)
Once he finally surrendered the chase, we continued toward Buckingham Palace, where we snapped a few photos and even made the King’s Guards smile.
Side by side, one little step, one big dream, and countless memories unfolding. The Victoria Memorial, where the golden Winged Victory watches over Buckingham Palace.
From there, we wandered into the enchanting St James’s Park…
A little paradise for children’s play and for this bird-loving mama. Filled with geese, coots, pelicans, magpies, ducks, pigeons, swans, and so many more feathered friends, the park brimmed with life especially around its beautiful lake. We found the perfect perch to rest, birdwatch, and enjoy a delicious treat at the delightful park café.
Crossing Blue Bridge, the London Eye and the stately Horse Guards came into view, while graceful swans glided across the lake, completing one of London’s most unforgettable scenes.
Keeping our hearts open to the subtle often reveals another layer of the journey. I paused beside one of the King’s horses, my heart drawn to him as he appeared weary to me. I offered Reiki, compassion, and some silent moments of loving presence before continuing onward.
There was such a gentleness in his eyes… almost as if he knew he was being loved, and quietly chose to receive it.
Crossing the Household Cavalry parade ground on our way toward Whitehall, we entered one of London’s most historic government districts, home to landmarks such as the Ministry of Defence (above right photo) and the Old War Office.
Finally, the River Thames, the reason London first flourished where it did, has connected people, commerce, and cultures for more than 2,000 years. The London Eye, one of the world’s largest observation wheels, was built to celebrate the new millennium and now offers astonishing views across London’s historic skyline.
We crossed Westminster Bridge as we made our way toward the South Bank. That little corner of London seemed to hold centuries of history within just a few steps, yet everywhere we turned, another iconic landmark appeared, each one carrying its own remarkable story.
A place where thousands of footsteps cross each day… tourists, commuters, dreamers, artists, and history, all meeting for a brief moment in one remarkable corner of London. Standing here, I wondered how many weddings, tears, dreams, and stories have passed over these stones.
Every city, every place has its own reasons for a healthy and elegant sense of pride. Yet London feels truly one of a kind, impossible to imitate. It never seems to need to seek out the world, because the world comes to her.
Later in our journey, you’ll meet my longtime friend Mark, a true Londoner whom I first met in 1992 on the steps of Perugia’s Duomo in Italy, when I was just seventeen. I couldn’t resist asking him what it feels like to have been born and to have spent a lifetime in one of the world’s most extraordinary cities.
Standing there, we heard the deep chimes of Big Ben ring exactly three o’clock, echoing across the River Thames. Beside it rose the magnificent Palace of Westminster, home to the United Kingdom’s Parliament, while just beyond stood Westminster Abbey, one of England’s most sacred churches. Since 1066, nearly every British monarch has been crowned there.
The Abbey has also served as the resting place of monarchs, poets, scientists, and other remarkable figures whose lives helped shape Britain’s story, including Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and Stephen Hawking. It has also witnessed many of the nation’s most defining moments, including the wedding and funeral service of Princess Diana, whose grace and compassion continue to inspire people around the world.
Standing before Westminster Abbey, I thought about Henry VIII and one of the greatest turning points in English history. His break with the Roman Catholic Church led to the creation of the Church of England, placing the English monarch, not the Pope, at its head. The decision reached far beyond religion, reshaping England’s politics, culture, and national identity for centuries to come. It’s remarkable to stand in a place that has witnessed so many moments that changed the course of a nation, and the world at large.
My heart was eager to continue toward Leake Street, a place I cannot wait to share with you, but the rest of my little crew was beginning to tire.
So we listened to our bodies. As I wandered down a nearby alley, it unexpectedly opened into a beautiful courtyard. I nursed my little boy as he peacefully fell asleep in my arms, and just then, the rain began to fall.
Why not step inside the elegant hotel nearby and find refuge in one of its hallways?
Looking back, it became one of those little moments that reminds me how often the greatest magic unfolds when we surrender to the divine flow, rather than trying to keep up with the itinerary.
There we met a kind gentleman from Afghanistan. Perhaps it was the sight of a little family simply pausing amid the constant movement of London that caught his attention, a rare enough scene in such a bustling city. Curious, he approached us, and before long we were exchanging stories.
He warmly shared photographs of his homeland, his traditional colorful hand-made clothing, beautiful foods, and the family he missed so dearly. London had become the place where he worked to support those he loved back home, yet it was clear that his heart was still in Afghanistan.
I empathized with him. Years ago, I too immigrated to the United States on my own, often missing my family while working to support them from afar. In his eyes, I recognized a familiar longing for genuine human connection.
He spoke of London as a city that never seems to stop, one that can easily draw you into a rhythm of work, work, work. Yet I sensed that, when the time was right and life became more peaceful in his homeland, his heart longed to return.
Some of life’s greatest treasures are found in meeting another soul and being entrusted with a small piece of their story. Before we continued on our way, he surprised us with water and snacks to carry us through the rest of our adventure. What a sweet moment in time!
As we parted, I silently wished him a beautiful life, one surrounded by love, family, and all that he held dear. Every now and then, I still think of the people with whom we shared a moment of true presence, a meeting of eyes, hearts, and soul breaths. They remain in my prayers and blessings.
We live for these moments.
Sometimes the landmarks become the backdrop, while the people become the true treasures and memories we carry home.
Crossing over to the South Bank, the city’s rhythm shifted.
You could almost smell it in the air. It felt funky, artistic, a little gritty, reminding me of San Francisco’s Mission District, where my consciousness expanded in ways I could never have imagined, beginning in the summer of 1997.
There was that same creative pulse, murals tucked into unexpected corners, music spilling into the streets, and the feeling that art belonged to everyone. My little gypsy heart immediately felt at home.
The closer we drew to Leake Street, the more the walls themselves seemed to awaken, each layer of paint telling stories left behind by artists from around the world. You could feel your own heart quicken with excitement.
Hidden beneath Waterloo Station, Leake Street Tunnel is one of London’s most iconic legal spaces devoted entirely to street art, and one of the world’s most recognized, where artists continually transform the walls into an ever-changing gallery.
🎥Press play for the moment we’d been waiting for! Welcome to London’s famous Leake Street Tunnel. (1:24)
Since Banksy transformed it during the 2008 Cans Festival, the tunnel has become a living, breathing, ever-morphing exhibit where artists continually paint over one another’s work, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same.
Long before Banksy, however, another artist helped shape the language of modern street art. Blek le Rat, often called the father of stencil graffiti, began transforming the streets of Paris in the early 1980s. His work profoundly influenced Banksy, who later admitted that many ideas he thought were original had already been explored by Blek years before.
Meeting one of the pioneers who inspired generations of street artists felt like paying our respects.
🎥 Press play for when we finally met Blek le Rat… and leaving an offering behind in gratitude. (0:12)
I love street art, and that is an understatement.
Around 2012 and 2013, there was almost always a can of spray paint, a few pieces of cardboard, and an X-Acto knife nearby. Although I never built up the courage to bomb a wall or stencil a sidewalk, I loved sketching little designs and keeping those simple tools close as symbols of my free spirit while navigating one of the greatest transformations of my life.
That little can of spray paint felt like the key hanging from my soul’s keychain, occasionally making a little clank, clank to remind me to embrace the blank canvas before me. With no home and no clear destination anymore, I was free to begin again. Daunting, yes. Exhilarating, absolutely. A chapter of my life still waiting to find its body in one of my future books.
But my love affair with street art extended further back to 1997, when I lived near the corner of San Jose Avenue and 23rd Street in San Francisco, in an old two-story Edwardian home. Art infused everyday life. You blinked, and there it was. Just as wildflowers belong to a meadow, art seemed to fertilize the imagination with endless new possibilities.
In 1999, three friends and I stumbled upon the tunnel beneath Duboce Triangle, its long walls covered with vibrant layers of street art. Those were the days when the scene still felt exclusive and wonderfully underground, rebellious, and largely untouched by the mainstream. It carried the thrill of discovering something that wasn’t trying to be found. Those were the times before social media. You had to be in the know, to know… Years later, tragically, the tunnel was whitewashed, but the memories remain indelible.
I made friends with street artists wherever I wandered through the city. I walked, biked, stopped to admire their work, asked questions, learned their names, and listened to their stories.
One of those artists was San Francisco muralist Josué Rojas, whom I met during one of those wonderfully unstructured days of urban exploration. My friend Rosa, from Costa Rica, was visiting to experience Burning Man for the first time around 2008, and as always when friends came to visit, we wandered the city with childlike curiosity, letting wonder lead the way. That day, our stroll through Haight-Ashbury led us to one of his murals, where we had the unexpected joy of watching him bring it to life right before our eyes.
Another was my dear friend Russell Howze, artist and author of Stencil Nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art. I lost the signed copy he gifted me in the fire, but thankfully not the memories attached to it.
Russell and I would bike throughout the city while he introduced me to the history of San Francisco’s street art, the artists behind it, hidden alleys, the few Bansky gems, and private art gatherings where I met many inspiring creatives. One of my favorite memories was visiting a newly built Whole Foods, where Russell had been commissioned to create a magnificent mural celebrating San Francisco’s culture.
There, I painted my very first professional stencil, an Anna’s hummingbird, and seeing my name included in the project credits felt like the most perfect, unexpected gift, as if the city itself had tattooed the words, “Marcela lived here.”
Not long afterward, I left San Francisco behind and stepped into an entirely new chapter awaiting me in Mexico. But that, my friends, is a story for another Morning Glory…
Russell’s book beautifully captures the spirit of everything I had come to love about street art:
“More street artists are turning to stencil art’s speed, efficiency, and neatness as a means of expression. All it takes is a piece of cardboard, an X-Acto knife, and a can of spray paint to pose an idea or tell a story with the potential to change the gait of pedestrians and make them stop and think.” — San Francisco Weekly
A little postscript…
As I was putting the finishing touches on this travel memoir, I had the joy of reconnecting with Russell after several years through this very journey. Just two days ago, his beautiful stencil book arrived as a thoughtful gift in my mailbox, a delightful full-circle moment that reminded me how the ripples of a journey often continue long after we’ve returned home.
What a gem it is! A wonderful resource filled with creativity, inspiration, and history. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys exploring the past, creating with their hands, and seeing the world through fresh eyes.
You’ll find a link to Russell’s book, along with the wonderful work of Josué, my favorite documentaries, and other travel inspirations, in my Travel Inspiration Resource Library toward the end of this travel journal.
And of course… I couldn’t resist leaving three little podcast sticker slap-tags in this cathedral of street art. Just as a feather becomes a quiet offering from a bird’s visit, I felt honored to leave a few tiny imprints of my own among these walls that celebrate the power of public art. Can you spot them in each photo?
Anything becomes sacred when we meet it with enough presence.
🎥 Wander Through The Full Leake Street Tunnel
For my fellow die hard street art lovers and curious wanderers, here’s the full, unhurried walk through this legendary tunnel.
🎥 Wandering Leake Street Tunnel | Part II (2:11)
Our son discovers live street artists while reggae echoes through the colorful walls.
🎥 Wandering Leake Street Tunnel | Part III (1:05)
A few more murals, a slower stroll, and one beautiful little surprise waiting at the end.
And just like that, after a short stroll, we were back across the Thames toward Westminster Abbey.
Talk about a change of scenery!
One moment we were immersed in London’s eclectic underground art scene, the next we found ourselves surrounded by royal grandeur, historic architecture, and timeless elegance. That’s London for you… you never quite know what’s waiting around the next corner.
🎥 Press play to hear Westminster Abbey’s magnificent bells echo across London. (0:35)
Before reaching Westminster Abbey, we wandered through Parliament Square, one of Britain’s most symbolic gathering places. Here, Parliament, the Supreme Court, Whitehall, and Westminster Abbey stand together, representing the nation’s democratic, judicial, governmental, and spiritual life in one remarkable crossroads of history. The square is also home to statues honoring influential leaders from Britain and around the world, including Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln.
There is so much to absorb during a single stroll. Every few steps reveal another layer of history.
For example, the tall Gothic stone column standing before the Abbey’s west entrance (you’ll catch a glimpse of it at the beginning of our little video above) is the Westminster Scholars War Memorial, honoring former students of Westminster School who gave their lives in the Crimean War and the Indian Rebellion. Nestled beside the Abbey is St. Margaret’s Church, which has served members of Parliament and the local community for centuries, earning the nickname “the parish church of the House of Commons.”
Everything blends together so effortlessly that it is easy to overlook where one remarkable landmark ends and another begins. Together they form one magnificent tapestry of architecture, history, and living tradition.
Ever since returning home, we’ve found ourselves dreaming of spending an entire month in London, simply wandering its neighborhoods and slowly discovering more of the countless stories we could not get to, hidden within its nooks, courtyards, and tucked-in corners.
After this magical evening stroll, we decided it was finally time to experience another London icon, the Underground.
The greatest reward after a full day of wandering: iced tea and sharing a delicious meal together.
Naturally, our curious little guy was thrilled. At last, he would get to see in real life the trains from Curious George.
We made our way to St. James’s Park Station, tapped our credit cards, and waited.
One train came. Far too crowded.
A second. Even fuller.
Third is the charm… Nope!
By then, between the heat, the crowds, and tired travelers, we unanimously agreed that this adventure could happily wait for another visit.
Thankfully, London’s transit system made changing our minds easy. We simply tapped the same credit card on our way back out, received our refund, and smiled at yet another surprise of the day.
Sometimes trying something is enough, even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Instead, we called an Uber, our go-to, and headed back toward our little nest, where one final treat awaited us: a delicious Thai dinner, one of those simple treasures we don’t get to enjoy back home.
As I write thie memoir, it’s almost impossible to believe all of this unfolded in just two days. We packed so much wonder into such a short time that it feels like a week of memories rather than forty-eight hours.
And somehow, day three raises the bar even higher… quite literally.
We’ll rise above London’s skyline to Sky Garden, wander through the grandiose beauty of St. Paul’s Cathedral, reunite with a lifelong friend, and begin preparing for a very different kind of adventure, one that will soon carry us beyond the city and into England’s lush countryside with ancient marvel.
Let’s go there!
“I Think You’ll Love This…” — London
Day 3
Good morning, London!
There’s something magical about waking up in a city that feels both ancient and fully alive.
With every passing hour, another layer seemed to reveal itself, another story waiting just around the corner. Today became one of those days when history, friendship, breathtaking views, and unexpected moments were braided together into memories we’ll treasure for years to come.
After two full days in London, we finally felt ourselves settling into the city’s rhythm. The jet lag had begun to melt away, our confidence was growing, and we were moving through the city with a little more ease, less like visitors and more like willing participants adding to its daily life from our inquisitive, open hearts.
As if welcoming us into that rhythm, we were blessed with a delightful Uber driver, an Eritrean family man whose warmth and enthusiasm immediately filled the car. His entire family now calls London home, yet his entrepreneurial spirit continues to carry him toward new adventures. Alongside driving, he has built two highly successful YouTube channels. He shared that much of their success comes from cultivating a warm, supportive community, encouraging me to do the same. It felt like another little gold coin of wisdom had quietly landed in my lap, and I left inspired.
We always love meeting fellow creatives. We exchanged YouTube channels and have stayed connected ever since. Those sweet little encounters often become some of the most memorable parts of our travels, reminding us to slow down so we can receive the golden synchronicities and wisdom each person has to offer.
He drove us through Central London, following the gentle curve of the Thames, until we arrived at our first destination of the morning: the fabulous Sky Garden.
Our first stop lifted us above London, where the Sky Garden framed The Shard, London Bridge, and centuries of history in one unforgettable view.
The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, spread across more than half an acre on the 35th through 37th floors of the iconic Walkie Talkie Building. Whoever dreamed up this extraordinary space was a genius. More than a garden or an observation deck, it offers one of life’s greatest gifts: a change in perspective.
From the street below, the Sky Garden feels almost like a secret nestled at the very top of the Walkie Talkie Building.
From the moment we stepped inside, there was a contagious sense of joy. The warm welcome from the staff, the excitement of visitors taking in the views, and the shared chorus of “Wow!” echoing through the space created an atmosphere that felt undeniably magnetic.
Lush tropical plants softened the modern architecture, elegant restaurants invited lingering conversations over fresh, beautiful food, and beyond the glass, London stretched endlessly in every direction. Bustling streets, timeworn alleys, centuries-old landmarks, and striking modern towers all came together in one breathtaking panorama, a living map where history and innovation continue to grow side by side.
🎥 Press Play to explore the Sky Garden with us! (1:36)
Come explore our first moments inside this remarkable botanical oasis as we wander through the beautiful arrival hall, admire the elegant staircase leading to Darwin Brasserie, and pause long enough to see London through new eyes.
Sometimes words simply step aside. These were the moments when we let London speak for itself.
Oh, the views!
The Gherkin’s pickle-like shape is literally outstanding, and more than beautiful. It was thoughtfully designed to harness natural light, improve ventilation, and reduce energy use.
Everything about breakfast at the Sky Garden was a chef’s kiss, from its Jurassic-like botanical setting and fragrant coffee poured into a delicate porcelain cup to the fresh, delicious food and my little guy’s joyful discovery that he loves English sausages. A true London experience!
After this marvelous breakfast, where abundant smiles and nourishing food filled both our hearts and bellies, we were ready to continue exploring. Before leaving, we stepped out onto the Sky Garden’s open-air terrace, enclosed by glass walls that made it feel as though you were floating above London.
Being afraid of heights, I could only tiptoe toward the edge a smidge before I said to the boys, “This is close enough for me!” Even so, the scenic views were unforgettable.
With one last look across the skyline, we made our way toward our next destination: the last surviving remnants of London’s ancient Roman Wall.
As is often the case with travel, and especially in a kaleidoscope of a city like London, the greatest discoveries are the ones you never planned. We rarely followed exact routes or maps. We knew the general direction, then let our curious hearts become the compass. More often than not, those unexpected detours became some of our favorite memories.
On our walk toward the Roman Wall, we happened upon St Anne’s Lutheran Church, which shares its historic home with St Mary-at-Hill, an Anglican church that has served the City of London for more than eight centuries.
Eight centuries! Wow, that made me pause. In London, the passage of time seems to take on a different meaning. Centuries are spoken of almost as casually as we might talk about decades back home.
Even without knowing their full history, you could feel the age of these streets. It wasn’t only in the architecture, but in the uneven stones beneath our feet, the winding medieval lanes that echoed with every step, and the cool, damp air that seemed to hold the stories of centuries gone by.
The labyrinth-like medieval lanes leading to The Monument, where London’s remarkable rebuilding began.
As we emerged just minutes later from one of those narrow passageways, where every cobblestone seemed to murmur a long-kept secret, we were suddenly greeted by an enormous stone column crowned with a golden flame.
“What is that?” I wondered.
It was The Monument, built near the site where the Great Fire of London began in 1666. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, a name you’ll encounter often throughout London, together with scientist Robert Hooke, it commemorates one of the most defining moments in the city’s history, when the Great Fire destroyed much of medieval London.
What amazed me even more was discovering that it wasn’t only a monument. Robert Hooke also designed it to function as a giant scientific instrument for astronomical observations.
Another “wow” moment!
And then just a few minutes later, another unexpected discovery found us…
Nestled between the surrounding buildings stood the hauntingly beautiful ruins of St Dunstan in the East.
Once a medieval church and later damaged during the Blitz of World War II, its remaining stone walls have since been embraced by climbing vines, trees, and gardens, transforming it into one of London’s most serene hidden sanctuaries.
The moment we stepped inside, the energy shifted.
The city’s constant rhythm softened into birds foraging, rustling leaves, and softly spoken conversations. It felt like a refuge with London’s pause button, nature offering everyone a place to breathe, reflect, and simply be.
Watch our little stroll through the tranquil gardens, where birds, curious squirrels, and lush gardens offer a quiet moment surrounded by nature in the heart of the city.
🎥 Press Play to step inside this peaceful oasis with us. (1:44)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved speaking with squirrels and chipmunks in my own little way. Watching one pause and look back at me felt like a wink from nature, ready for a conversation whenever we slow down enough to listen.
Feeling refreshed, we continued our urban hike towards our next desire: The ancient Roman Walls of Londinium.
If you look closely, you’ll spot the ancient Roman Wall in the background of this photo.
Nearly two thousand years ago, the Romans founded the settlement of Londinium around AD 47, only a few years after invading Britain in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius. Thanks to its strategic location along the River Thames, the city quickly grew into Roman Britain’s most important commercial, military, and administrative centers.
Between AD 190 and 220, an impressive defensive wall, rising more than ten meters high and stretching nearly two miles around the city, was built to protect its growing population from attack.
As I stood there in awe, I imagined the countless generations of Londoners who had passed these very walls over nearly two thousand years.
Empires rose and fell. Kings and queens came and went. The Black Death swept through the city and eventually passed. The Dark Ages gave way to new eras. Wars were fought. Faith inspired both compassion and conflict. Across Europe, healers, midwives, and countless women suffered under fear and persecution. Centuries of hardship, triumph, discovery, and transformation unfolded.
And through it all, these ancient stones have remained, bearing witness to the ever-evolving story of humanity.
That day, we added our own little chapter to that story, leaving behind a few more moments of love, deep gratitude that we had made it there, wonder at the resilience of the human spirit, and a profound connection to these ancient lands.
As London expanded beyond its boundaries during the eighteenth century, much of the wall disappeared. Remarkably, several sections survived, some incorporated into newer buildings and others intentionally preserved. The remains we visited were carefully conserved during the 1940s and 1950s, allowing modern London to remain beautifully connected to its Roman beginnings nearly two thousand years later.
The Romans eventually left Britain around AD 410, and by about AD 450 the city had largely been abandoned. Centuries later, in AD 886, King Alfred the Great of Wessex re-established London within the old Roman walls, transforming them once again into a powerful defense that helped protect the city from Viking attacks during the tenth century.
Standing beside these ancient stones of the Roman Wall, with the Tower of London rising nearby, I noticed how something once built to protect a Roman frontier now welcomes people from every corner of the world.
History reminds us that even the strongest walls can one day become bridges.
Perhaps that’s one of life’s greatest invitations: to move beyond separation, remember our shared humanity, and gravitate toward the love that always finds a way.
Right beside the Roman Wall, we arrived at the Tower Hill Sundial, one of the little landmarks we had looked forward to seeing after discovering it during our trip planning. Nestled within the public plaza outside Tower Hill Underground Station, this large bronze sundial rests upon a circular timeline tracing London’s remarkable history, from the Roman invasion in AD 43 to its unveiling in 1992.
After seeing it in videos while researching our journey, it felt especially meaningful to finally stand beside it in person. Our hearts leapt with joy. “Hey boys, remember this from the videos?” Somehow, places imagined always become even more special once they bloom into real life, like little urban wildflowers blossoming along the path of our adventure.
We were eager to get up close to the Tower of London, but nap time was calling for our little guy.
No problem!
One of the things I love about London is how generously it offers peaceful green spaces, inviting both locals and visitors to pause, rest, eat their lunch, or simply enjoy the moment.
Just beyond the Roman Wall, Trinity Square Gardens offered us exactly what we needed: a quiet place to catch our breath. While our little boy drifted off to sleep beneath the shade of the trees, we watched London continue its lively rhythm around us. I enjoyed a little birdwatching, listening to the beautiful song of a thrush as Peregrine Falcons patrolled the skies above and gulls skillfully darted out of their way.
I cherish these little pauses while traveling. Sometimes the places where we simply sit become just as memorable as the landmarks themselves.
Did You Know?
As I later pieced together our travel journal, I discovered something remarkable. Today, Trinity Square Gardens is a peaceful place to rest beneath the trees, yet centuries ago this very ground was known as Tower Hill, where several famous historical figures, including Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell, were executed.
The gardens are also home to the Tower Hill Memorial, honoring thousands of merchant sailors who lost their lives during the World Wars and have no known grave. Surrounded by remnants of the Roman Wall, this quiet little park beautifully weaves together layers upon layers of London’s extraordinary history.
Rested and recharged after our Trinity Gardens nap, we confidently announced, “Next stop: St. Paul’s Cathedral!”
London smiled and said, “Not so fast.”
There were so many little streets leading us there that we weren’t quite sure which route to take. So, as we often enjoy doing while traveling, we simply surrendered to divine flow and let our inner compass guide the way.
It’s one of our favorite little experiments because, more often than not, the journey reinforces our “right place, right time” philosophy, revealing unexpected moments that become some of the richest parts of the journey.
Lo and behold, our wandering feet led us to Leadenhall Market.
When we travel with openness, life often meets us with beautiful surprises.
Although we had admired it while planning our trip, it wasn’t at the top of our priority list. We wanted to be mindful of our time and energy, yet life had another plan.
What a sweet surprise it turned out to be!
It felt as though London was gently whispering to us, “Don’t worry about finding the fastest route… the beautiful route has been here all along.”
The architecture was glorious, colorful, and delightfully ornate. Almost immediately we were welcomed by a whimsical street performance as a talented hula hoop dancer in a bright, playful mini dress captivated the crowd, especially the children. Right beside the performance, we discovered an authentic Italian pizzeria, where Italians were once again preparing and serving delicious food. We found a cozy table by the window, another perfect little perch to pause, savor the moment, and soak in the lively atmosphere all around us.
As I later learned while putting together this travel journal, Leadenhall Market carries an extraordinary story of its own.
Notice the silver dragons perched atop the pillars! They’re the traditional guardians marking the historic boundaries of the City of London.
A market has stood on this site for nearly seven centuries, welcoming merchants and shoppers since the early 1300s. The spectacular Victorian market we see today was designed in 1881 by Sir Horace Jones, the same architect behind Smithfield Market and the magnificent Tower Bridge. Rather than replacing the medieval street pattern, Jones thoughtfully worked with it, preserving its charming, irregular layout and creating the delightful maze of arcades and unexpected views we wandered through.
Its richly decorated roof, painted in deep greens, creams, and maroons, together with elegant ironwork, carved dragons, cobbled walkways, and grand entrances, wasn’t simply designed to impress. It reflected the pride, prosperity, and craftsmanship of Victorian London, transforming an everyday marketplace into a work of art where commerce and beauty could exist side by side.
Here you can admire the intricate ironwork and beautifully blended colors that make Leadenhall Market so distinctive.
And then came one of my favorite kinds of discoveries, the ones you could walk past a hundred times without ever noticing.
A lovely couple happened to be walking beside us and suddenly pointed high up toward the building we were passing.
“Look!” they said.
We followed their gaze and, tucked away on a tiny strip of no-man’s-land between two buildings on Philpot Lane, were two little mice nibbling on a piece of cheese.
“What in the world is that?”
As I later discovered while putting together this travel journal, these tiny creatures are known as the Philpot Lane Mice, London’s smallest public sculpture.
Perched high on the façade of a Victorian building, they depict two mice fighting over a piece of cheese. Their exact origin remains something of a mystery, making the discovery even more delightful.
I absolutely love little treasures like this. They’re not grand monuments or famous landmarks.
They feel like little resonances, as though life has noticed what fills our hearts with wonder and lovingly whispers, “Here… I think you’ll like this.”
Had that kind couple not pointed them out, we would have walked right past one of London’s tiniest and most charming surprises.
And this is the question I’ll probably never know the answer to…
How did they know to look up?
Had they been searching for the mice because they already knew about them? Had they stumbled upon them moments before? Or were they simply the kind of people who walk through life with wide-open eyes, noticing the little details most of us rush past?
My husband smiled and said, “Maybe they were doing a treasure hunt!”
I absolutely loved that thought. Because isn’t that one of the best ways to explore a city? Not simply trying to get from one landmark to the next, but searching for the little wonders hidden in plain sight.
So here’s another little takeaway from our journey: travel like a treasure hunter.
Slow down. Stay curious. Look up. You never know what wonder might be waiting to be discovered.
With happy bellies and refreshed spirits, we continued our walk once again toward one of London’s most sacred landmarks: St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Yet it almost felt as though the city was preparing us before revealing the cathedral.
As we wandered through the City of London, our excitement continued to grow as one beautiful, unexpected place after another seemed to bloom before us, like little mushrooms appearing along a woodland path after the rain.
With every discovery, our anticipation quietly built, making the journey to St. Paul’s just as meaningful as the destination itself.
Beneath this church lie the remains of the Roman Basilica and Forum of Londinium, the political and commercial heart of Roman London from the 1st century AD. When we stood there, we were literally above layers of nearly two thousand years of history!
One beautiful building that caught our attention was St. Michael Cornhill.
This church is one of the oldest Christian sites in the City of London.
A church has stood on or near this site since before the Norman Conquest, with records dating to 1055. Tradition even claims there was an earlier Christian place of worship nearby as early as AD 179, although some historians consider that part legendary rather than proven.
While the building we see today was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London, tradition suggests that a place of Christian worship has stood here since Roman times, making it one of the city’s most enduring sacred spaces.
How many merchants, travelers, pilgrims, and Londoners over the centuries have entered these doors carrying their own hopes, prayers, and stories?
I came to appreciate London’s many historical plaques. Without them, I would have walked right past places like this, completely unaware of their remarkable significance. It felt as though every corner of the city had something meaningful to share when we slowed down and paused to listen.
History isn’t only found in museums. It speaks to us as we walk the very streets where it unfolded.
Shortly after we wandered into London’s historic financial district.
Grand stone buildings, elegant columns, and centuries of commerce surrounded us, reminding us that this phenomenal city has long been a crossroads where cultures met, businesses flourished, and history unfolded.
It was fascinating to imagine these very streets bustling with merchants, bankers, and traders as England’s ships returned from distant voyages carrying tea, coffee, sugar, spices, tobacco, silk, and countless other treasures that would forever change daily life. Deals were negotiated, fortunes were built, and new possibilities emerged from conversations held in these very streets.
The Royal Exchange, founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in the 16th century, became one of London’s great centers of international trade and commerce. The Bank of England, founded in 1694, has stood at the heart of Britain’s financial history for more than three centuries.
I imagined merchants and bankers continuing their conversations over cups of the newly imported coffee.
It was fascinating to learn that London’s coffeehouses became gathering places where ideas, commerce, and innovation flourished. In fact, Lloyd’s of London traces its origins to a simple coffeehouse where merchants met to insure ships returning from distant voyages.
It made me reflect on how something as ordinary as sharing a cup of coffee could help shape the modern world in extraordinary ways, its influence rippling far beyond London and across generations to this very day.
History suddenly felt much smaller and much closer, as though I could reach out and touch it with my fingertips.
Named after merchants from Lombardy, Italy, Lombard Street became one of Europe’s most important banking centers, so influential that its very name became synonymous with wealth and finance.
The magnificent dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral seemed to play a delightful game of peekaboo through the buildings, teasing us, “Psst… keep going!”
The City of London is sprinkled with tiny green oases tucked between grand office buildings where, especially at lunchtime, you’ll find Londoners enjoying a sandwich, chatting with friends, reading a book, or simply taking a peaceful pause from the pace of the day.
One of my favorites was Reflection Garden at 25 Cannon Street. It felt like a tiny sanctuary, almost no bigger than a teacup, lovingly nestled among the surrounding buildings. A refuge for tired feet and busy minds, inviting visitors to exchange the hum of the city for another kind of music: insects humming, leaves dancing in the breeze, and birdsong filling the air.
Created as a tranquil retreat for workers and visitors in the heart of London’s financial district, the garden offers a beautiful view of the magnificent dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. For a few precious moments, we joined the ordinary rhythm of everyday London life while surrounded by an extraordinary backdrop.
It felt like one of those moments when a butterfly quietly lands on your shoulder, unexpected, delicate, and impossible to forget.
The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral again like an old friend saying, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
I smiled at the signpost pointing in every direction: Cheapside. Barbican. St. Paul’s. Mansion House. Cannon Street. In London, every arrow seems to promise, “There’s another adventure waiting this way.”
Just a little farther on, we discovered another lovely oasis: St. Paul’s Churchyard and Festival Gardens.
Created after the Second World War as part of London’s renewal, these peaceful gardens offer one of the loveliest places from which to admire the cathedral. Colorful flowers, mature trees, and winding paths soften the grandeur of the surrounding architecture, creating a welcoming place to pause, take it all in, ground, before arriving at one of the world’s most celebrated churches.
The gardens invited us to slow our pace once again. Bees drifted from blossom to blossom, butterflies floated through the flowerbeds, and nature carried on beneath the towering cathedral.
🎥 Press Play to meet one of England’s tiniest singers… a cheerful little gentleman in a tuxedo! (0:19)
A curious Great Tit, England’s version of a chickadee wearing a tuxedo, hopped gracefully among the branches, pausing just long enough for me to admire its yellow breast, crisp black markings, and bright white cheeks. A delight to my soul!
Birdwatching is one of my favorite ways to experience a new place. While famous landmarks tell the story of a city’s history, its birds reveal nature’s story in the moment.
The black stripe down its chest is sometimes called its “tie.” Males often have a broader black stripe than females, almost like they’re wearing a little vest.
This cheerful little Great Tit immediately reminded me of a lyric from one of my own songs, “Inner Child“:
“Give it a voice, a microphone and a tuxedo…”
Somehow, it felt as though the song had come to life right there in the gardens beneath St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Walking along, Millennium Bridge beckoned just to our left. We simply didn’t have the time or energy to cross and admire it up close, and there was also a mysterious Gothic spire I never quite figured out.
But that’s butter for another breadstick… London Part 2! I love leaving a few mysteries for the next adventure.
And then… There it was.
🎥 Press Play as St. Paul’s Cathedral finally comes into view, one beautiful step at a time. (0:36)
After weaving through medieval lanes, hidden gardens, bustling markets, ancient Roman walls, and the financial heart of London, arriving here felt like the culmination of so many little adventures that had finally led us to this grandiose place.
According to my teacher, Ash, St. Paul’s Cathedral stands upon an ancient sacred site dating back to Druidic times. She shared that its position atop Ludgate Hill held spiritual significance for ancient peoples, aligning with energetic ley lines. She also explained that St. Paul’s position has long served as an important landmark, with distances to London traditionally measured from this area, making it both a spiritual and geographical point of reference.
Whether viewed through the lens of history, archaeology, or spiritual tradition, there is no denying that this hill has drawn people here for centuries. It felt like one of those sacred sites where reverence and imagination draw you into the mystery of the universe.
St. Paul’s will have to welcome us inside another day.
My teacher, Ash, led a beautiful ceremony inside St. Paul’s Cathedral while we were in England. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend, and I have yet to watch the replay. More on that in the forthcoming chapters.
From the photos alone, I could see how majestic and ineffably beautiful the cathedral truly is. This simply wasn’t our time to experience its interior. God willing, it will become another cherished reason to return, another sweet cherry atop the dream of a sequel to this unforgettable journey.
Our feet were growing tired, little tummies were ready for dinner, and another meaningful chapter of our London adventure was about to begin: reuniting with our longtime friend, Mark.
We called another Uber back to South Kensington, where we would meet him. Our driver was originally from Ghana.
He welcomed us into an immaculate car and greeted us with the warmth of someone who genuinely enjoyed meeting people. As we drove, it quickly became clear that he was thoughtful, articulate, and quietly confident.
As we made our way through the Friday evening streets of London, we watched the city begin to awaken for the weekend. Restaurants filled with laughter, theaters welcomed their audiences, pubs spilled onto the sidewalks, and the city seemed to take on an entirely different rhythm.
Our driver told us that he rarely worked Friday or Saturday nights because passengers could become a little too festive. Instead, he preferred the quieter hours, which suited him well.
As we talked, he shared his own story. I listened with wide eyes and an open heart as the city unfurled outside our windows, revealing streets, neighborhoods, and monuments we hadn’t been able to reach on foot.
London, he said, had become a place of opportunity. Looking back, he could now see how each step of his journey had prepared him for the next. Through hard work and education, he had steadily built a better life for himself and his family.
Then he shared something that deeply touched me.
He told us that he now mentors and supports young immigrants who arrive in London facing many of the same struggles he once experienced himself.
“Now it’s my turn to give back,” he said.
Those simple words stayed with me.
It was yet another perspective on what it means to call London home.
We returned to our flat, rested for a hot minute, and then decided to wander our neighborhood one last time while we waited for Mark.
Not only did the walk help ease our excitement (and just a few butterflies!) before seeing him, but it also gave us a chance to watch our little corner of South Kensington come alive on a Friday evening.
As we meandered through the neighborhood, we stumbled upon a few more of London’s charming mews and quiet dead-end streets, each one more enchanting than the last. Tucked away from the bustle, they felt like little hidden worlds of their own, exquisitely beautiful and full of character.
And then, just around the corner from our flat, we stumbled upon something completely unexpected: The College of Psychic Studies.
What a delightful surprise!
I only wish I had had the time to browse through their bookshop and learn more about their classes and offerings. Although my own plate is joyfully full with the incredible teachers and mentors who have guided me along my path, I always love visiting centers like these. I’m fascinated by the different ways people create spaces for learning, healing, self-discovery, and spiritual exploration. Each one has its own unique gift to offer the world, and I always come away inspired.
Plot Twist…
History is real… this photo? Not quite.
If you’re wondering when Mark magically appeared with us in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral… he didn’t!
The truth is, in all the excitement of finally seeing each other after so many years, we completely forgot to take a photo together.
Thankfully, Mark came to the rescue with a little Photoshop and AI magic, creating the family picture that never actually happened… but somehow feels like it did.
It became the photo that should have been.
The funny thing is… it somehow feels real anyway.
Mark has been one of my dearest friends since 1992, when we met as students on the steps of the Duomo in Perugia during my very first trip to Europe. I had traveled to Italy to study the Italian language at the renowned Università per Stranieri di Perugia, never imagining that I would return home with friendships that would last a lifetime.
More than three decades later, our friendship is still finding new adventures, even if this one required a little digital assistance.
Some memories are lived. Some are recreated. And some simply celebrate a friendship that has stood the test of time.
The last time I saw Mark was in 2008, when I passed through London on my way to Switzerland for a conference. Since then, he has built a beautiful life: a wonderful family with two children and a thriving interior design business that now extends well beyond England into places like Spain and Dubai.
We were so excited to see him that we couldn’t sit still while waiting for him to arrive. Instead, we wandered the streets around our South Kensington flat until we spotted him cycling toward us on one of London’s green Uber bikes.
When we met at the corner, he simply parked the bike, smiled, and walked away.
I laughed.
“Wait… you just leave the bike there?”
Apparently, yes!
It turns out these bikes are one of Uber’s brilliant ideas. You rent one through the app, ride wherever you need to go, and simply leave it for the next rider.
I thought that was incredibly clever.
As we walked together, we laughed about how different the world was when we first met back in 1992. There were no smartphones, no ride-sharing apps, no AI-generated photos.
“If only we’d invented one of these ideas,” we joked. “We’d probably be rich!”
Sometimes it’s fun to imagine turning back time.
We found a cozy little crêperie where we shared dinner and caught up on more than three decades of life. We talked about family, work, creativity, and the winding paths our lives had taken.
Finally, I asked him the question I had been wondering about all day.
“What’s it really like to be a Londoner? To live in one of the world’s greatest cities, where so much opportunity exists right outside your front door?”
Mark told me that, at one point, he had tried building his interior design business in Milan. Although he loved Italy, he found that many professional circles there were deeply rooted in longstanding relationships and local culture. Language and community mattered enormously, and breaking into those networks proved difficult.
Eventually, he realized that London was where he truly belonged. It was home. He already had roots there, and by returning with dedication and perseverance, he was able to build a flourishing business that now reaches clients far beyond the UK.
Listening to him, I realized that London itself has shown remarkable resilience. Even after the challenging economic years of the early 2020s, the city continues to reinvent itself. New boutique restaurants, creative businesses, and vibrant neighborhoods seem to emerge constantly, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs like Mark to continue growing.
One thing that surprised me most about London was how much nature surrounds it. Beyond the historic landmarks are beautiful parks, ancient woodlands, rivers, deer, gardens, and peaceful neighborhoods. Add to that its museums, universities, theaters, libraries, and cultural institutions, and it becomes easy to understand why so many people happily call it home.
London is also one of the world’s great transportation hubs. With several international airports connecting the city to nearly every corner of the globe, much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East are only a few hours away. Our drivers spoke casually about places like Egypt and North Africa as though they were nearby weekend destinations. It gave me a new perspective on how connected this part of the world truly is. From London, the world suddenly felt much smaller.
For all of these reasons, and for countless others I could never fully capture within the pages of this travel journal, London is, to me, a truly magical place to call home.
For a short chapter of my life in 2005, it was my home too. But back then, I don’t think I had yet ripened into the person I am today. I hadn’t lived enough, lost enough, learned enough, or traveled enough to fully appreciate what this remarkable city offers.
Today, I understand much more deeply why nearly every Londoner we met spoke of it with such affection and why so many genuinely love calling it home.
Yet our conversations also reminded me that home is deeply personal.
I still think about the Afghan gentleman we met earlier in our journey. While he appreciated London, his heart longed for his homeland. For him, life in London felt like an endless cycle of work with too little time to truly live.
That conversation stayed with me.
Perhaps every place offers extraordinary possibilities, but no place can replace the feeling of belonging.
I come from a much smaller country, one with its own unique challenges. Yet whenever I return, something inside me immediately recognizes it. The humid air, the coconut trees, the bananas growing nearby, and, most of all, the memory of my mother’s voice remind me that home isn’t simply a place on a map.
It lives within us.
At the same time, I think I was born with an adventurous spirit. From a young age, my definition of home expanded until it eventually became the whole world, while this body became the vessel through which I could experience it.
I already ache to return to London.
Part of my heart is still there.
But what makes me smile most is knowing that next time, London won’t simply be a city we love.
It will be a place where dear friends are waiting for us.
As you reach the end of this first chapter of our England adventure, I just want to say…
Thank you.
If you’re reading these words right now, I am truly honored. I realize this wasn’t exactly “teacup reading.”
My only hope is that somewhere along these pages, you gathered whatever it was your own soul was meant to harvest.
May these stories add a little salt and pepper to your own dreams.
May they remind you that the dreams planted within your heart are sacred and were placed there for a reason.
May you trust that, with devotion, courage, and a little grace, far more is possible than we often imagine.
And perhaps most importantly, may you never feel the need to shrink your dreams just to make them seem more practical or acceptable.
Dream boldly.
Love deeply.
Stay curious.
The world is far more beautiful than we sometimes remember.
Thank you for walking alongside our little family through this first chapter.
Now… before we continue our adventure, here’s one final ten-second hoorah from my little bird to send you off with a smile.
I’ll see you in Part Two. ❤️
📷 Press Play for one Last Hoorah Before Part Two… (0:10)
No travel journal would be complete without a little toddler chaos.
While Mom admired centuries of history, this little guy was busy conducting important scientific research on the bounce-ability of British guest room furniture.
Spoiler alert: The couch passed every test. (And thankfully… so did he!)
Parents… tell me I’m not the only one whose child discovers Olympic-level confidence while traveling!
A Piece of Our Hearts Remains in London
After three full days of exploring London, we felt wonderfully full and deeply satisfied, and ready to trade the rhythm of the city for the slower pace of the countryside, for our son’s very first visit to the sea, for ancient woodlands, mysterious standing stones, and centuries-old villages waiting to be discovered.
For our very first visit, we couldn’t have asked for a richer introduction to this extraordinary city. And yet, somehow, it felt less like a goodbye and more like the promise of a return.
We haven’t stopped dreaming about London since returning home. In fact, the more I write this travel memoir, the more I find myself longing to return. As I revisit each memory, photograph, and conversation, I feel a tender ache in my heart, as though a part of me is still there.
Perhaps, given my lifelong fascination with soul journeys, there is a deeper reason for that connection. In my most recent Between Lives regression in June, I felt one of my past lives had been there. I find it fascinating to consider that the places we feel most drawn to may often reflect a resonance that reaches beyond this lifetime.
Perhaps next visit we will gift ourselves an entire month, with ample freedom to wander even more slowly and discover the countless little treasures still waiting for us.
There are still so many places we hope to experience someday: dining inside The Gherkin, finally stepping into the majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral, lingering for hours in the British Museum, perusing through the College of Psychic Studies library, exploring the Tower of London more deeply, searching for London’s Secret Seven Noses tucked away throughout the city, crossing Abbey Road in true Beatles fashion, gliding through Little Venice on a canal boat, wandering the vibrant streets and savoring the delicious cuisine of Chinatown, exploring the ever-changing murals of Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel and Brick Lane in East London, visiting the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill and strolling through its world-famous Portobello Road Market, and spending even more time in London’s magnificent parks, especially Hampstead Heath and Hyde Park.
The beautiful thing about falling in love with a place is that it always leaves you with reasons to return. We were especially sad to miss the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, which was closed during our visit, and I still look forward to saying hello to Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.
And now, perhaps the greatest gift of all, we have friends in London.
Who knows where our next adventure will lead? Christmas in London has captured our imagination… or perhaps Christmas in Dublin will be calling instead.
One thing is certain.
This journey didn’t satisfy our love for England.
It awakened it.
“Travel leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
— Ibn Battuta
With Gratitude
No journey is ever made alone.
Our heartfelt thanks to our dear friend Mark, to Ash with her wisdom vast as the universe and our wonderful UK tour group, to Russell, whose passion for creative work has been such an inspiration, to our gracious Airbnb hosts who made us feel so welcome, to the kind flight attendants and the staff at Heathrow Airport who cared for us along the way, to every Uber driver who safely carried us through the city while generously sharing their stories, and to every restaurant, café, bakery, and pub that nourished us while we were far from our own kitchen.
To the countless strangers who greeted us with kindness, offered directions, shared a smile, or simply crossed our path, you became part of our story. To our wonderful pup caretaker, thank you for loving and caring for Ru while we wandered. Knowing she was safe, happy, and well cared for allowed us to fully embrace this adventure. We couldn’t have done it so gracefully without you.
To our full family and friends who cheered us on from afar, celebrated every photo, every story, and every little discovery with us, you reminded us that adventures become even sweeter when they’re shared with those we love. To my dear friend Ginger, thank you for always cheering me on, believing in my dreams, and celebrating this journey with me. With a friendship like ours, we are sitting on gold.
A very special thank you to my sister, Isabel, in Spain. From the very moment I bought our tickets eight months before this journey, you believed in this dream. You lovingly encouraged me through every hesitation, every fear, and every creative block. Your unwavering support helped carry me all the way here, and I will always be grateful. Thank you for believing in me before I had even packed my suitcase. Now it’s my turn, I believe in you and support your own beautiful visions of love with all my heart. I’ve got you, girl. ❤️
To my wonderful husband, thank you for caring so lovingly for our family, not only throughout our travels but also during the many hours I spent writing and reliving this memoir. Your patience, encouragement, and steady support gave me the time and space to preserve these memories for our family. This journal is as much a testament to your love as it is to our adventure.
And to our beautiful son, you made us parents. To you, we owe the expansion of our hearts into places and sensations of love we never would have known otherwise. We adore you. Thank you for choosing us! We are yours. ❤️
To the angels and our beautiful spirit family in heaven who watched over us and kept us safe throughout this adventure, thank you. I notice, celebrate, and sing praises to your overflowing daily signs and presence always. You are part of my every day heartbeat.
And finally, Dad Abuelo Randy… thank you for the beautiful dinner you gifted us in London. It became one of the many treasured memories woven into this unforgettable journey. We all love you, and we can’t wait for adventures together.
May every kindness you all shared with us find its way back to you.
🎥 Want to relive the journey from beginning to end?
Come along with us through every walk, every museum, every hidden alleyway, every delicious meal, every unexpected detour, and every special memory.
Watch the complete London Travel Journal Companion Videos Playlist and experience the adventure from beginning to end.
We’ll see you in Part Two… 🇬🇧❤️
Coming Next…
Our pilgrimage is only just beginning…
In Part II, we move beyond sightseeing into sacred participation, exploring ancient gateways, the living current of Goddess traditions, and the Mystery School teachings that continue to awaken love, remembrance, and reverence for the Earth.
Below Tintagel Castle, where Arthurian legends, rugged cliffs, and resilient wildflowers beckon us toward transformation.
✨ If you aren’t already subscribed, I’d love for you to join us so you’ll be among the first to know when Part II of our England journey is published. I can’t wait to continue wandering with you.
Until then, may your own path be filled with curiosity and the courage to follow it, trusting that your wings were made for flying and that life will meet you there.
To be continued… 🪶
Resources & Travel Inspiration
This journey was enriched by generous creators who freely share their knowledge, passion, and artistry with the world. I’d love to thank them and pass their wonderful work along to you.
If you’re dreaming of visiting London or England someday, I highly recommend exploring these resources.
Whether you’re planning your own adventure or simply love public art and creative storytelling, I think you’ll enjoy discovering the work below as much as I did.
🎨 Russell Howze
Stencils & Art Website • Instagram • “Stenncil Nation” Book
A remarkable stencil artist whose public art invites curiosity, reflection, and conversation throughout San Francisco.
🎨 Josué Rojas
Mural Art Linktree • Website • Instagram
A gifted San Francisco muralist whom I had the joy of meeting years ago while exploring Haight-Ashbury. His vibrant public art continues to inspire wonder and connection.
🇬🇧 Sophie Nadeau
YouTube Channel
Her thoughtful London and European travel videos were a wonderful companion while planning our family adventure.
Travel Inspiration
Many of the historical reflections woven throughout this England travel journal were inspired by the wonderful documentaries I watched before our trip. They transformed the way I experienced these places, helping me look beyond the famous landmarks to appreciate the countless layers of history, archaeology, architecture, and human stories beneath my feet.
Some of my favorites include:
• Professor Alice Roberts’s Britain’s Most Historic Towns
• Digging for Britain also by Prof. Roberts
• Fortress Britain also by Prof. Roberts
• London’s Greatest Bridges
• Mystic Britain
These series deepened my appreciation for England in ways I never expected. Rather than simply visiting beautiful places, they invited me to imagine the lives of the people who built them, walked their streets, defended their cities, and shaped their stories across thousands of years.
If you love meaningful travel, history, archaeology, and the stories hidden in everyday places, I highly recommend adding these to your watch list. They made this journey infinitely richer for me, and I hope they do the same for you.
Community Corner 🍂
If you’re local to the Black Hills, I’d love to invite you to our annual Free Community Yoga at the Park!
You can find all the details here.
Continue the Journey
Thank you for walking beside our family through this adventure.
I hope these reflections inspire you not only to explore new places, but also to rediscover the wonder waiting in your own backyard.
🎥 Press Play: The Beautiful Ordinary ❤️
Sometimes the most extraordinary moments aren’t found across the ocean, they’re quietly waiting in our everyday lives.
This short film recorded nearby just a few days ago is a gentle reminder to pause, notice, and fall in love with the beautiful ordinary that surrounds us each day.
If this travel journal brought you joy, I’d love to invite you to explore The Empowered Soul Podcast, my music, writings, yoga, and my Soul Regression journey.
Explore Everything HealTrueLove
Podcast • Music • YouTube • Writing • Yoga • Soul Regression • Resources
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Amazing! I felt like I was there with you. Badass warrior brave mama! I love you!
Kelly Spring
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Hi beautiful mama, thank you so so much for being with us, it truly warms our hearts. Oh yay, I am so glad it felt like you were there next to us, the power of our imaginations, yay! Thank you, receiving you completely. You brave mama traveler inspire us! We love you!! xoxo
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Wow! What an incredible recounting!Love to you all.Sent from my iPhoneOn Aug 7, 2026,
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Thank you so much for your beautiful presence, love, and words. It fills our tummies. So glad that it nourished you. So much love to you all from us all, xoxo
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What an amazing trip!! Sent from my iPhoneOn Aug 7, 2026,
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Oh my goodness! What a delight to receive you here. Thank you from the core of my heart. It means so much! So much love to you, my beautiful friend & teacher! xoxo
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This is incredible, what a pilgrimage you all had!
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Thank you so much for being here, what a sweet gift to receive your presence! Sending love, gratitude, & blessings, mama, xoxo
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