I felt bad disturbing the nice gentleman in the isle seat. I can't tell if he loves or hates my knotty pony tail, but I stand up to use the restroom anyway. He and his friend converse from across the isle and his nicely maintained bald spot bothers me as he so graciously replies, "Your welcome," as I sit back down. I don't mean to make notes on his looks, but my own.
I felt annoyed as I got set aside to be searched at the airport. It was even more annoying to be given back my own bag, comforting it's embarrassment, as we waited for Kristin's.
Ironically, it was the conditioner that held up hers. The girl, about our age, searching her bag was probably thinking to herself, "Why carry this if you don't even use it?..."
Today we are tired, we indulged in a little too much champagne, and I am definitely a little delusional about the idea of prince Harry.
An order of fish and chips has interrupted are vegetable based diet, and I just feel kind of sad.
It is a healthy sadness.
(Kristin's brother and my sister are a couple, and their family is moving to NC).
It is hard to just say, "Peace out", as our niece Sage says.
(I go back to the bald spot, which is so symbolic.)
My dad struggles with this idea, but it just happens over time, and time has gifted us with good memories and a renewed respect for each other. I feel so much admiration, happiness, and pride for my sister as her family prepares to move, but I also mirror the sadness of my parents.
It's cool, thinking about an essay I wrote in high school focusing on the "extended definition" of a certain subject...I chose distance.
(I think this is why I am a runner...it's a circle.)
I have never felt so close to my mom, my sister, Sage, or my dad. We are strong enough now to know that this distance is what we need..."it's the time we took." It bonds and inspires us.
My heart doesn't hurt for any of us, it feels proud that we have each other.
Thank you distance, for teaching me.....I have no idea how to use a compass...
Thank you distance, for reminding me that love is reciprocated. I don't only thank you for all that I am, but all that you will make me.
Back to London...
It is expensive. Kristin and I explored the first day, seeing the Parliament buildings, Buckingham palace, and a ton of side streets on our "fike". We got back to the hostel early-ish and settle down to play cards and chill. The hostel is nice. Big brick walled areas with a bar. It's a rustic feel, with huge screens to watch soccer...how nostalgic...
Yesterday, after some research, we found our way to a "free" beer tasting event. It was so cool, local beer from London, Britain beers, and even some imports....Flying Dog made the cut.
As we stood in line, we couldn't help but crack up, we were the youngest people there. Kristin insisted it was Fifty Shades of Grey, yet no movie theater in site. After a few drinks and many, many, many stares from grandfathers, we found some friends. This cute gentleman was holding a beer, while drinking another. I asked him if it was necessary at an event like this to be double fisting beers, but his brother was soon to catch up with us.
We listened intently to the history they shared....their dad was born in like 1881 or something crazy! We also laughed as they mentioned the red lights in a near by area, enlightening us about the looks we were receiving...
It was a fun afternoon and I felt good about finding unexpected tour guides
Today we were feeling sluggish and hungry...we have decided traveling would be much easier without this nagging feeling.
We set off to a beautiful breakfast place we found down the street. Farm fresh eggs, poached with hollandaise sauce and avocados. Our tea steeped, and we committed to going to see the actual Fifty Shades of Grey, before language interrupts our opportunity. Yeah yeah, that's not what we should do in London, but we were so busy preparing our lives for two months away, we didn't get a chance before we left.
The people at the desk in the hostel are essentially useless and I would love to give them some advice about the service industry...but I smile and think, "thanks for nothing..."
With a tiny circle on my map, we decided to walk to the movie theater/cinema. Our freshly brushed hair was conquered by the wind, but we were so happy to walk over beautiful bridges and by the water. We found our way to London bridge (not so beautiful) and by a parade. A lady we passed was on the phone, telling someone that, "She just saw royalty!" My heart sank a little...what a bummer for Prince Harry...he missed me and my perfectly wind blown hair...
We passed Saint Paul's Cathedral and more beautiful streets with urban people enjoying beers at the pubs. It was so cool, I felt terrible about my outfit, but I envied their city lives...making money and friends.
We finally made it to the theater, and the movie was good, true to the book. I thought about the author and how happy she must feel, and we began our walk back to our hostel. We commuted home with people, over the London bridge and by the water again. The sun was setting and it feels good knowing we are heading to it tomorrow. Portugal awaits us, if we can find the airport
Last night we got caught drinking wine from mugs in the bar area, so this evening we are confined to the kitchen area. We will play cards, talk, and feel proud of ourselves. Our families are experiencing change and we embrace it. We are fortunate to be here, to be supported by friends, family and each other. So thank you to everyone, and thank you to distance for the inspiration we feel and see as we travel.
p.s..stay tuned to see what happens with our train tickets...they should be fine, but we didn't get the appropriate "activation stamp" before our first trip.
p.s.s....we made it to the airport.
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