Hello from London! I'm currently sipping Earl Grey tea at an internet cafe, typing on someone else's laptop. I arrived this morning at 9:00 am London time. The flight went quite well, I spent most of it napping, meditating, and concentrating so hard on this beautiful blonde baby's crying until it was surreal and annoying-no-more.
This was after my Mom and step-dad, Jim, barely shoved me out of KCI airport in Kansas City. You see, up until that point, I exerted a special effort not to stress or worry about my trip, but to rather let go of anxiety and trust that all would be OK. One way I did this was by going over my list of possessions and body parts and vividly imagining each one broken, lost, stolen, or even violently ripped from my person. So, by the time of my flight my mind was ready for anything to happen, the chillest I've ever been for a trip -- too chill, frankly. Perhaps chill to the point of carelessness. After loosing track of my itinerary, almost missing my flight (they were calling my name on the intercom), and flying to an unplanned airport (I thought it was Heathrow, but apparently it was Gatwick . . . Heathrow, Gatwick. They sound similar . . .) I exerted a little more effort to control my situation. After doing so, I made it my hostel, ate some Pad Thai, and now here I am -- caffeinated and ready to go museum hopping.
Jet lag? More like Wet Bag. That's my only complaint so far. 46 lbs. is enough, I don't need London drizzle saturation. It's off my back and in a locker now, so I'm good.
I meet my Bodh Gaya program people tomorrow; we begin orientation, then leave for Delhi on the 7th. Stay tuned.
7 comments:
I'm happy to hear you arrived safely and I'm glad you set up the blog. Personally, I will enjoy "watching" your semester from afar. Continue going with the flow cause you don't really have a choice. ;o) XO ~KM
I'm trying to imagine your movements and feelings in London, to really empathize with you. I can't. And I would try to say the right thing, but I'm not so good at that, either.
So I'll just tell you I'm glad your flight landed safely :)
Sounds great, Tim! I'll be keeping track.
Tim, I can tell that this will be an awesome journey.
While I have yet to hear my name on the intercom, I have sprinted through several airports. I'm a similarly relaxed traveler, but I can tell you--and you probably found out--that the adrenaline will kick in if you need it. Just focus on delicately dodging other pedestrians with that 46-lbs (wet) bag as it swings behind you. They'll appreciate remaining dry and unbruised.
I look forward to hearing more.
We are thinking of you on campus.
Tim, it looks like the heavy India flooding was in Bihar. Fortunately the flooding was in the north and Bodh Gaya is in the south. While Bodh Gaya may be OK, I wonder if you will be called to help out.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7593497.stm
- Love, Dad
Thank you for sending me the link to your blog.
I'm glad you survived your flight and I hope your trip is wonderful and interesting.
-Maureen
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