London by Moonlight: Seeing in the Dark
- Isabella Campolattaro
- Jul 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 3
Light changes everything.
One of the unexpected highlights of our Italy trip happened on the way home—during an 11-hour overnight layover in London. To make the most of it, I booked a Black Cab tour of the city. It turned out to be spectacular and inspiring, an unforgettable adventure.
Toward the end of our tour, we met a couple who had tried to do the same thing—explore London during their layover. But their experience was dramatically different. Why? After some prayerful pondering, God illuminated some key insights—lessons that apply far beyond travel, especially during these turbulent times.
God at Work in the Details
Heathrow, despite being one of the busiest airports in the world, is remarkably civilized—clean, orderly, and lined with high-end boutiques like Prada, Gucci, Dior, and Chanel. People watching and window-shopping help pass the time--but not eleven hours!
Weeks before, I'd asked ChatGPT (always helpful!) for layover-friendly tour options. After a few emails, I found one that could accommodate our late-night arrival—even with our flight delayed by an hour (https://londonsightseeingtaxitours.com/).
Thankfully, my son Pierce inherited my Type A adventurous streak and was all in for our nocturnal outing.We boarded a train from Heathrow to historic Paddington Station, arriving near midnight.
Waiting for us outside Paddington was our driver, Dave—a warm, muscular, preppy-looking Londoner in round tortoise glasses. He greeted us cheerfully and ushered us into his spacious Black Cab, punctuating every sentence with “Miss,” in the charming Cockney cadence of Michael Caine or Eliza Doolittle.
Seeing in the Dark
We wandered down quiet streets lined by stately buildings and the occasional cluster of frolicking clubbers and paused at major sites like the Tower of London, St. James Palace, the Graffiti Tunnel, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Sometimes the areas were desolate, but I never felt unsafe. I chalk it up to a combination of Dave’s easy confidence, his strongman presence, our intrepidity, and God’s grace.
There may also be a little "God looks after fools and children" in there, too.
Even when we unknowingly stood near a sleeping homeless men, drunken revelers, or wandered dimly lit alleys, we felt wrapped in peace.
Pierce and I spent most of our time in awe, slack-jawed at the majesty of the city. I'd been twice before; once as a child with murky memories and once as a young woman for my boyfriend's work, too busy partying for sightseeing.
Around 2 a.m., Dave dropped us back at Paddington. The grandeur of the station had turned eerie—mostly empty, with just a few cleaners and a handful of travelers and stragglers. Pierce went to find a bathroom while I searched the schedule and realized—oops—the next train wasn’t until 5:10 a.m.
Just then, a couple my age settled nearby. We struck up a conversation and discovered we were all headed to Miami on the same flight. We decided to share an Uber back to Heathrow. On the drive, the woman described how awful their evening had been. They’d explored the city alone, encountered harsh and scary people, wandered into sketchy places, had a disappointing (and expensive) dinner, and found London to be dirty, dark, and dreary. Her husband swore never to return.
We were stunned.
How could our nights have been so opposite?
The Light Makes All the Difference
As Pierce napped at the airport, I reflected on the contrast and sensed the Spirit whispering some key truths—lessons I’ve lived through in other ways and places, traveling and otherwise, with far more at stake.
What made the difference?
Leaderless vs. Guided. They wandered without direction. We pre-prayed and had a knowledgeable, joyful guide who steered us with wisdom.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23 (NLT)
Negativity Bias. One bad start—an unpleasant neighborhood—colored the rest of their evening.
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Comparison. They measured London against 34 other countries, including Japan. We saw it with fresh eyes.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
Baggage. They carried heavy packs. We traveled light and left ours with our driver.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Overconfidence. As seasoned travelers, they trusted their instincts. I, a cautious single mom, did my research.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
Bad Counsel. They followed a Mean Street stranger’s advice on where to eat and which way to go. We verified everything with reliable sources.
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers." Psalm 1:1 (NLT)
H.A.L.T. – Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. They were exhausted and starving by the time they ate. We’d fueled up and were energized.
"Then Jesus said, 'Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.' He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat." Mark 6:31 (NLT)
Grace & Perspective. They saw shadows. We saw splendor.
6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT
We can’t take credit for our dramatically different perceptions—except for this: we walked in the light of grace, and we looked for beauty. That made all the difference.
Stay in the Light
Watching the headlines, our circumstances, or even the weather forecast can cast a dark shadow on our days. Jesus invites us to walk and live in The Light, His light, which overcomes all darkness.
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