A rainy Friday

I bought a bottle of water and a sandwich at Sainbury's Local for lunch and walked up and down Oxford Street, entering the high street shops like a kid on a field trip. After registering at the Institute of Education, three Filipinos working at the IoE residences treated me to dinner at China City.

Lita dela Cruz works for John Adams Hall, the IoE main hall of residence. She has been in the UK even before I was born, working first as a domestic helper and then in a hospital. She will be retiring in the Philippines next month. Her husband, a retired policeman, joined her in London a few years ago. Nene, who was in the same agency as Lita, has been in London for almost thirty years.

It's good to know that, in the midst of this busy city like this one, there are people who will welcome you with open arms, even if you have never met before.

I took all but the group photo on Saturday. Madaya ba? Rain makes everything terribly gloomy.