May 17, 2008
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Readiness?
I should be packing.
Tomorrow at around 1:45, I get on the airport shuttle to SeaTac and start my journey to the south of Spain to go see The Parental Unit, aka my mother.
It’s a long trip, from my little corner of the world… a 3-hour bus-ferry-bus ride to the airport, then a several hour wait, then an overnight flight from Seattle to London Heathrow where I arrive 2:00pm Monday, followed by a 75-minute bus ride to London Gatwick, an overnight stay at an airport hotel that’s actually connected to the airport terminal, then up at oh-dark-thirty on Tuesday to check in at 5:20am(!) for the flight to Gibraltar where I’ll arrive at about 11:00am. Then I get my bags, walk outside, cross the border into Spain and take a cab the 15-odd miles to my mother’s place.
Gibraltar has a funny little airport. The entire airport terminal is not a lot bigger than your average Greyhound bus terminal… when you walk outside, you can go left to get into the town of Gibraltar, or turn right and walk across the border to Spain, about 100 yards away. It’s the only airport I know of that actually has taxi stands in TWO countries.
I should be packing, but instead I am sitting at the computer, writing assorted email, putting vacation notices on my business web sites and writing blog entries.
I grew up “in a suitcase.” I guess I got so used to the whole routine that I’m far beyond stressing over “getting ready.” I have a mental list of exactly what needs to be packed, and exactly how long it will take to get it done.
When it comes to travel, I almost enjoy the “getting from point A to point B” part more than the actual being at some destination. I actually like airports– well, I like large international airports where the people-watching can be fascinating; listening to all the different languages never ceases to be interesting to me.
I am sure my mother is “aflutter” by now. As I wrote a while back, my coming for a visit is as much about “being presented” at a long string of luncheons, dinners and cocktail parties, as it is about actually visiting. Everyone is coming out to “see the giraffe” (old Danish saying– I would be “the giraffe,” in this context), and I will really get to sharpen my polite conversation skills about… nothing in particular. These are people who really understand how to use a lot of words without saying anything…
I should go mow the lawn… if I don’t, it’ll be awfully shaggy by the time I get back.
Comments (13)
“These are people who really understand how to use a lot of words without saying anything…”
Are they politicians, by any chance?
I hope that you will have a safe journey, Peter, and that you will enjoy your stay. For a final note, to be called a giraffe can be seen as an apt compliment from my point of view, because they are gentle of nature and have a unique and broad perspective on things, qualities that you have, too.
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy everything along the way. Travel safely and peace be with you.
I want my postcard.
Dammit.
I’d never heard that expression before… “see the giraffe”… but it’s great. Have a good trip!
Hey Peter, travel safely and have a great trip!
Hmmm….will you be able to blog once you get there?
enjoy your trip…happy travels…sounds exciting. can’t wait to hear about it.
Yuk, Peter…. that sounds dreadful. -Did I really use that word? I think it’s a first for me, but that’s about the only thing I could think of….. dreadful. I would imagine the travel would be more interesting than making conversation with those you really could care less about, but maybe something will happen that makes the trip all worth while. I hope so. Best of travels to you. Love, ~C
tha is a long journey
i thought OZ and tokyo were jauntslol
i get there with out the hotel stays
Hope the trip is cathartic, fulfilling, and enjoyable (if tiring! good thing you’re a seasoned traveller!), Peter.
May you see many things beyond the veil…
Here’s hoping your trip turns out better than expected! Let me know when you get back… I may have something for you.
Hey great to hear from you, and off to be presented in Spain, and visit aka family/your mother too! Sounds utterly wonderful, and you will enjoy every moment, I know you will. Massaged with adoration! What could be nicer for a shyish HSP :grins: Enjoy Spain, the warmth and closeness.
[And remember, if you don't want to experience much jet lag, don't eat for 16 hours - that's right, fast - and then eat a big meal on the morning after the 16 fasting hours and apparently the inner clock gets re-set. Some crazy article I read yesterday somewhere - about 2 clocks, the biorhythms one that gets in wack with jet lag, and one based on food, and the latter can re-set the former with the method just described ::grins more::]
Bon Voyage!
xo
Hope your trip was safe and filled with much laughter…. and your lawn isn’t shaggy
‘Til The Next
You should post pics of the ski fence, and tell the whirled that you’re back, darlin’.