Sunday June 7, 2009
I miss it already. Not of course, crazed showers and sticky hair, or lugging 65lbs of luggage around after me everywhere, not all that. But the new friends, the stunning breathtaking architecture, Paris, where everything is open until 11 at least, the tiny boutiques stuffed with treasures. These I will miss. Most especially the people.
On the train back to Oxford yesterday, someone’s text alarm sounded and it was the same one Husband has: Yoda saying “mmm…message from the dark side there is…” and it made me smile and think of him
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Credit still not working, will take the check card also next time. However, got lovely free sample of Patron Coffee Tequila at the duty free shop at Heathrow.
2:32 London time on the plane: about to take off. Most wondrous thing, they have been playing Delibes Lakme, the rose duet. Also, finally got seat mates, I thought I might go the whole way without. V. made it onto the plane…she had went off and left the group and I thought she might miss it. I’m off way behind the group, which is perfectly fine as I have an aisle seat. No more snoring seatmate keeping me from having a pee this time.
Oh, I LOVE to fly! Fighting gravity and winning just feels incredible. Of course, in the wake of the missing Air France flight last week, I can imagine there are quite a few nervous traveler today. Not me though. Nothing one can do except keep a positive attitude. Enjoyed that little drink, though. Wish it’d been larger.
There. Finally got my viewscreen to go off.
The dinner trays seem to be making their way sporadically back this way. I do hope it’s something nice…last time it all tasted a bit like cardboard.
No, this was pretty good. Chicken and pasta, salad with, I think, beet pieces, and chocolate mousse cake with (nominally) mandarin sauce.
Blasted headphone wire seems to have reacquired the faulty left ear piece and I truly don’t want to use the ones provided with their huge scary foam ear covers. Never know where they’ve been.
Will be v. nice to see Husband. Thought about beginning letters while still on the plane, but I want the handwriting better than in this journal.
V. enlightening trip, truly amazing, in so many ways. Def. impressed myself and profs with resourcefulness. And the things seen, eaten, experienced; gothic architecture one could look at until one’s eyes bleed, cheese and wine paired just right, fruit just a shade the right side of overripe, chicken so tender it fell of the bones, chocolate cloyingly rich and sweet and people with whom it would be a wonder and a joy to laugh with for many more hours. The time to do most of what I wanted, the money to make it happen; the research I did really paid off as I was able to budget time and money. I went through all but 2 of my ink cartridges!
Just over 5 hours to go. May watch Dr. Strangelove when my playlist is over.
Just got a little hyperventily over the thought of being so close to Friend again. I do very much miss him, but I know the constant tension was a bad thing.
Have just put my watch on Chicago time. Must clean my faithful pen when I get home.
Only 2 hours left to Chicago! Then unfortunately, baggage claim, the el, and the train home. Then my delightful husband waiting to take me home where I will resist the urge to sleep for a week.
10:25 London time/4:25 Chicago time–Another handsome stanger leaning on me! Wonder what it IS about this trip?! In the line for the bathroom a rather Germanic looking gentleman a row to the side of me leaned against me several times. Perhaps my pheremones are particularly strong this month? Would rather like to learn his name, but feel awkward asking or introducing myself as have spent most of the flight wearing earphones and trying to ignore everyone.
Well I was wrong, he wasn’t German, he’s a Finn and his name is Olli. We spent the last 30 minutes of the flight writing notes back and forth. I do rather hope I brightened his day a bit. What I really wanted to ask (but we ran out of time and paper) was, do you go leaning against strange women often? The amount of contact on this trip has been truly odd. I mean, most people go out of their way to not touch people they don’t know. I gave him one final note saying that flights of fancy, like our realy flight must land, and that I do see beauty. And that I will try to get to Finlandand hope he enjoys his stay in my country. What a doll!
Looking back over this trip, L can have her kisses and Al. her drinks. I want what I have–threat, opportunity, and something worth coming home to.
