British Men Destroyed My Life: The Travels of an American Gypsy

By Carmen Vera

Youve always thought about leaving. So why havent you yet? Our lives are controlled by outside factors that stop us from breaking the vicious cycle of routine. Follow a young nave American girl who follows her heart by going to meet the love of her life in London, Englandthousands of miles away. She quits her job and buys a plane ticket, but things dont end up as planned.
What starts as a few words scribbled on the back of a receipt paper in the Czech Republic becomes a story of adventure. Find out what happens to her as she isnt faced with the best outcome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490752365

Carmen Vera

Carmen Vera is an American author living in Southern California. Her first book was published in 2015 and she has been in the writing ever since. She enjoys writing nonfiction and children’s books. The writing process has always intrigued Carmen and she loves watching her work come into existence. In her personal life, Carmen is a musician, designer, and a world traveler. She enjoys traveling the world to inspire her works

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Copyright 2015 Carmen Vera.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5235-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5237-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-5236-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014921936

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Trafford rev. 07/16/2015

33164.png www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

CONTENTS

1 Not All Who Wander Are Lost

2 Parliament on Fire

England

3 Handcuffs and Sandwiches

Ireland

4 Let Me Be Your Croissant

France

5 Dutch Fried Chicken

Holland, The Netherlands

6 Your Sexy Holes

Germany

7 Save Our Port

Italy

8 A Groper’s Paradise

Thailand

9 Meditation in Motion

China

10 Fancy Pants

Kentucky, USA

11 Sugar and Salt

New York, USA

12 Friendly Neighbors

Iceland

13 I Do and Don’t

Greece

14 Bosnian Love

Czech Republic

15 Engraved in My Heart Forever

Poland

16 Home

17 Chapter Seventeen

18 Carmen’s Thoughts

This book is

dedicated to my father, Roger Eugene Williams, who always taught me to believe in my own strength.

I will forever be your little girl, Daddy.

RIP August 23, 1936—June 1, 2012

Special thanks to Majella Friel, Molly Friel, and Lewie Helton for encouraging me to write down my adventures to share with the world.

Aysha Bell, never lose that childlike wonder.

And a not so special thanks to my asshole boss who made me want to quit my job so that I could travel the world.

As things stand now, I am going to be a writer. I’m not sure that I’m going to be a good one or even a self-supporting one, but until the dark thumb of fate presses me to the dust and says you are nothing, I will be a writer.

—Hunter S. Thompson

To my readers,

If my book is not up to your liking, please lower your standards.

The story you are about to hear is true; only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Some have been left nameless to protect their identity.

CHAPTER 1

Not All Who Wander Are Lost—J. R. R. Tolkien

[7/22/2010] Josh: Josh has shared contact details with Carmen Vera.

[7/22/2010] Josh: Hi!

[7/22/2010] Josh: I’m Josh

[7/22/2010] Carmen: I’m Carmen

[7/22/2010] *** Call to Josh, duration 04:50:12. ***

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Hello

[8/11/2010] Josh: Hi

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Hi

[8/11/2010] Josh: You ok?

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Yeah, are u?

[8/11/2010] Josh: Yea just been so busy lately, sorry we haven’t been able to talk.

[8/11/2010] Josh: What about you?

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Yeah

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Same here

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Hope all is well with you :)

[8/11/2010] Josh: It is :)

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: Great. Happy to hear that. :)

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: New tat?

[8/11/2010] Josh: Yep :)

[8/11/2010] Carmen Vera: I want to see!!!

[8/11/2010]*** Call ended, duration 02:10:19 ***

[9/9/2010] Carmen: Good morning

[9/9/2010] Carmen: What’s up?

[9/9/2010] Josh: Just woke up lol you?

[9/9/2010] Carmen: Oh

[9/9/2010] Carmen: I’m sorry

[9/9/2010] Carmen: Goodnight lol

[9/9/2010] Carmen: <3

[9/9/2010]*** Call ended, duration 00:01:12 ***

[9/30/2010] *** Call to Josh, no answer. ***

[9/30/2010] Josh: You just call me?

[9/30/2010] Carmen: Yes

[9/30/2010] Josh: Sorry, I was in the bath: P

[9/30/2010] Josh: Got my music on then just noticed your name came up lol

[9/30/2010] Carmen: call me back!

[9/30/2010] Josh: Ok, one sec!

[9/30/2010]*** Call to Josh, duration 01:23:09. ***

[10/2/2010] Carmen: You’re coming to visit here soon aren’t you?

[10/2/2010] Josh: Maybe. If plans work out.

[10/2/2010] Carmen Vera: I’m going to make it a life goal to visit England one day

[10/2/2010] Carmen Vera: and one of the reasons why is to meet you.

[10/2/2010] Josh: GOOD

[10/2/2010] Josh: Sorted 54415.png

*** Call ended, duration 1:40:28 ***

[12/3/2010] Carmen: when are you going to go to the University of Georgia?

[12/3/2010] Josh: Next fall maybe

[12/3/2010] Carmen: I hope that happens

[12/3/2010] Carmen: if not

[12/3/2010] Carmen: I can just visit you half way somewhere

[12/3/2010] Carmen: :)

[12/3/2010] Josh: It’s an ocean between us

[12/3/2010] Josh: There is no half way, baby

[12/3/2010] Carmen Vera: :(

[12/3/2010] Carmen Vera: um … maybe …

[12/3/2010] Josh: Ahh, you look so damn cute when you’re thinking

[12/3/2010] *** Call ended, duration 2:20:58 ***

[01/4/2011] Carmen: Please come to Georgia then

[01/4/2011] Carmen: If not we can meet in France

[01/4/2011] Josh: Paris is romantic. I would love to take you out.

[01/4/2011] Josh: if we meet, it would be more than just physical.

[01/4/2011] *** Call ended, duration 1:45:48 ***

[02/8/2011] Carmen: I’m going through so much lately

[02/8/2011] Josh: what do you mean by that?

[02/8/2011] Carmen Vera: I am changing my major

[02/8/2011] Josh: why?

[02/8/2011] Carmen: I’ve outgrown it. I want something new. I’m at a crossroad

[02/8/2011] Josh: I know everything will work out for you. don’t worry, babe

[02/8/2011] Carmen: :)

[02/8/2011] *** Call ended, duration 0:30:05 ***

[04/12/2011] Josh: Live for the moment. You never know. You might have a boyfriend by the time I come over there.

[04/12/2011] Carmen: you think I’ll have a boyfriend when you come over here?

[04/12/2011] Josh: by the time I come over you could have met someone. You never know what the future holds.

[04/12/2011] Carmen: I just have a really strange feeling about you

[04/12/2011] Josh: I know

[04/12/2011] Carmen: there’s something about us

[04/12/2011] Josh: I’m sure one day we will be something but for now I’m in England and you’re in America and I want to make the most of it.

[04/12/2010] *** Call ended, duration 2:11:02 ***

[03/20/2011] Carmen: when are you coming down here again?

[03/20/2011] Carmen: sometime in 2011 though?

[03/20/2011] Josh: like maybe August

[03/20/2011] Josh: but that maybe depends if this coaching job in Atlanta goes through

[03/20/2011] *** Call ended, duration 3:07:40 ***

[05/17/2012] Josh: Hey! If you come up next month I’ll be moved out here and be living with my parents for 2 months until my university restarts, so you would meet them!

[05/17/2012] Carmen: That’ll be great!

[05/17/2012] Josh: well I’m miles and miles away

[05/17/2012] Josh: but I’m here for you waiting.

[05/17/2012] Josh: cool I’ll take look at it tomorrow

[05/17/2012] Carmen: Where do I land?

[05/17/2012] Josh: London Heathrow international airport

[05/17/2012] Josh: Well if you come then I’m going to get hotel in London and show you around there

[05/17/2012] Carmen: 54418.png

[05/17/2012] *** Call ended, duration 3:07:40 ***

[06/02/2012] Carmen: Hey, so looks like I can’t come right now. I don’t have enough saved at the moment. I’m sooo sorry.

[06/02/2012] Josh: 54414.png

[06/02/2012] Carmen: I know, soon though.

[06/02/2012] Josh: 54420.png

[06/03/2012] Josh: I just sent you the link for Zeitgeist. I know it’s something you would enjoy. You like that secular stuff.

[06/03/2012] Josh: it’s long so watch it when I go to bed but it’s definitely something you’ll love

[06/03/2012] Josh: Yep

[06/03/2012] Josh: Well, babe, sleep time

[06/03/2012] Josh: xxxxxxxx

[06/03/2012] Josh: watch the video

[06/03/2012] Josh: Love you! :) Tell me you love me now.

[06/03/2012] Carmen: Hahaha ;)

[06/03/2012] *** Call ended, duration 4:15:10 ***

[06/10/2012] Josh: Nah, I don’t have a dad. Mine passed away like 8 years ago.

[06/10/2012] Josh: I just don’t like to talk about it much

[06/10/2012] Carmen: Oh, why not? 54411.png

[06/10/2012] Josh: Hun, I’d rather not chat about it. Don’t want to be getting upset and making you more bummed

[06/10/2012] *** Call ended, duration 2:45:20 ***

[06/17/2012] Carmen: So where are we going to live together once we finally meet?

[06/17/2012] Josh: California … by the beach

[06/17/2012] Carmen: I live a few miles away from the beach

[06/17/2012] Carmen: I’ll use my savings to help pay for our house!

[06/17/2012] Josh: No, that money is for you

[06/17/2012] Josh: I’ll pay for the house

[06/17/2012] Josh: When I finish college the job I’ll get job starts at £33.000. Let’s not jinx it, but I should be hitting like £130,000 by the time I’m 30.

[06/17/2012] Josh: Ah, Carm

[06/17/2012] Josh: Your money is yours. I’m going to support my wife no other way round

[06/17/2012] Carmen: I’ll have my own money too!

[06/17/2012] Josh: I like to spoil my girl :)

[6/17/2012] Josh: and you deserve to be spoiled 54422.png

[6/17/2012] Josh: but in our house I want one of those houses that has like massive windows

[6/17/2012] Carmen: I love big atriums!

[6/17/2012] Carmen: I’m studying interior design right now too!

[6/17/2012] Josh: 54424.png Perfect, so you decorate our house

[6/17/2012] Carmen: Yay! 54426.png

[06/17/2012] *** Call ended, duration 4:46:08 ***

[06/19/2012] Josh: may sound weird but I actually can’t wait for the day I get to be there holding our firstborn

[06/19/2012] Carmen Vera: Let’s get married now

[06/19/2012] Carmen Vera: Let’s elope

[06/19/2012] Josh: come to England now 54428.png

[06/19/2012] *** Call ended, duration 3:07:40 ***

[06/22/2012] Carmen: Send me the link!

[06/22/2012] Josh: this song :) is about how there’s that one special person for you.

[06/22/2012] Josh: Our wedding song: P

[06/22/2012] Josh: I learned guitar for this song lol

[06/22/2012] Carmen: please learn it

[06/22/2012] Josh: I learnt

[06/22/2012] Josh: as in I know how

[06/22/2012] Carmen Vera: really?

[06/22/2012] Josh: yes because I wanted to be able play this song for you

[06/22/2012] Carmen Vera: I have a song I want to play for you too

[06/22/2012] Josh: I know you can sing 54430.png

[06/22/2012] *** Call ended, duration 3:05:23 ***

[08/17/2012] Carmen: Hey, so what’s the news? Can you come visit this winter?

[08/17/2012] Josh: I can’t get time off work

[08/17/2012] Carmen: It’s been over 2 years, Josh. I don’t understand.

[08/17/2012] Josh: We will meet one day, don’t worry.

[08/17/2012] *** Call ended, duration 1:22:56 ***

[01/11/2013] Carmen: I’m going to show up one day and not tell you

[01/11/2013] Carmen: and call I’ll say can you pick me up at the airport?

[01/11/2013] Josh: Lmao. I’d secretly love that but same time I want time to plan it so perfect so don’t

[01/11/2013] Carmen: really? :)

[01/11/2013] Josh: you’re actually beautiful, you know this right?

[01/11/2013] Carmen: what do you mean?

[01/11/2013] Josh: just I don’t know I’ll actually be so happy with life if we do end up together.

[01/11/2013] Carmen: me too 54432.png

[01/11/2013] *** Call ended, duration 3:05:23 ***

[03/05/2013] Carmen: it looks so fun to just travel. I wish I could go somewhere with you.

[03/05/2013] Carmen: I want to go somewhere with waterfalls

[03/05/2013] Josh: I feel like I am falling in love with you, Carm

[03/05/2013] *** Call ended, duration 02:15:03 ***

[05/11/2013] Josh: Happy birthday, hun!

[05/11/2013] Carmen Vera: thank you!

[05/11/2013] *** Call ended, duration 00:07:11 ***

[05/17/2013] Carmen: my boss said that I could have time to see you for two weeks!

[05/17/2013] Josh: let me check my vacation time.

[05/17/2013] *** Call ended, duration 00:35:18 ***

[06/20/2013] Josh: how much to Asia?

[05/19/2013] Josh: it would be good because it’s somewhere we both don’t know and do the traveler thing

[05/19/2013] Josh: definitely, my mates are traveling around there. It’s amazing

[05/19/2013] Josh: next summer hopefully we can meet up.

[05/19/2013] *** Call ended, duration 00:35:18 ***

[05/21/2013] Josh: Hey, so like now is probably the worst time of the whole year to come. My boss said no.

[05/21/2013] Josh: if this was planned better, then yes. But last minute definitely can’t :(

[05/21/2013] Josh: Sorry, babe

[05/21/2013] Josh: I’m definitely going to Thailand next summer so we can meet up and do the whole traveler thing together

[05/21/2013] *** Call ended, duration 01:45:58 ***

[06/19/2013] Josh: You look so hot babe and I love you.

[06/19/2013] Carmen: :) Haha!

[06/19/2013] Josh: I do babe. Okay seriously g2g now!

[06/19/2013] Josh: We will speak soon, yes?

[06/19/2013] Carmen: yes

[06/19/2013] Josh: :):)

[06/19/2013] Josh: Sorry, I’ve been busy lately

[06/19/2013] Carmen: text me

[06/19/2013] Josh: xxxxxxxxx

[06/19/2013] Josh: okay, hun! Byeeee x

[06/19/2013] Josh: xxxxxx

[06/19/2013] Josh: xxxxxx

[06/19/2013] Josh: xxxxxx

[06/19/2013] Josh: Love you

[06/19/2013] Josh: :) Guess this is a test of our love. As you should always love me back too!

[06/19/2013] Carmen: 54434.png

[06/19/2013] Josh: ok seriously serious now bye bye, baby xxxxxxxxx

[06/19/2013] Josh: xxxx love U

[06/19/2013] *** Call ended, duration 02:54:03 ***

[7/05/2013] Josh: If you come up next month I’ll be moved out here and be living with my mom for 2 months until my school restarts, so you would meet her!

[07/05/2013] Josh: lol

[07/05/2013] Carmen: Oh my gosh! Really!? Okay! Where would I stay?

[07/05/2013] Josh: Stay with me …

[07/05/2013] *** Call ended, duration 00:35:18 ***

My name is Carmen and this is a chapter in my life.

Josh and I have been talking since 2010. He is beautiful, alluring, and addicting. How is it seemingly possible to—how do I say this without cringing—love someone I never met in person?

I suppose I can set up a date for the two of us to meet. That sounds simple enough. A fun day at the beach or the movies would suffice. Wait a second. I think there’s a twist coming up. I realize my situation is more complicated than that. I have one minor/slight/teeny-weeny/itsy-bitsy problem. Distance.

I live in Orange County, California. He is in London, England. Five thousand four hundred fifty-five miles away (8,778 kilometers for my international friends). I met Josh randomly online. Harmless. Who knew I’d completely fall for him?

Over the years, we talk about meeting up. We think of the possibility of living in the moment. We simply get up and leave our lives behind and be together. It is a happy thought, and one that I continually dream about.

There are no boundaries during our late-night video conversations. It’s not a rare occasion to have them last four to five hours at a time. We talk about anything and everything. We plan to travel to see the world together. That is our ultimate goal.

I want to leave but can’t. I never have a reason why though. What a foreign concept this is! It’s crazy to think about the things we really want to do in life when you put it into perspective. For some reason, we never actually do them. Our reasoning is always we can’t and we are somehow satisfied with that answer. I can’t understand that, which intrigues me even more.

As of now, I’m a twenty-two-year-old woman working and going to school full time. I make my living at a telecommunications company. My lifestyle is comfortable due to the good money coming in every other week. Sounds like the dream.

I’ll tell the truth now. After years of relentless sales and corporate America, my attention has wavered. Simply put: I am fucking bored of all of it.

My boss is a turd who pushes our store to be one of the top-selling stores through dishonesty and swindling customers. Sure, our numbers look good, but I know our money is through deceit. I come home unhappy each night wanting to cry myself to sleep. I am falling into this depression of boredom, exhaustion, and the worst of all: routine.

As humans, we have the