Saturday, June 14, 2014
Woke up in a rush to get ready, finish packing (well, truly start and finish, hey I’ve been busy), get to a bus, then on a train, then on an airplane. It was chaos getting ready, but the day had several moments when it came to a complete and abrupt stop.
Having limited time and many things to do packing became one hell of a task. Finally, I acknowledged the massive task at hand and resorted to the “gorilla method.” Now the gorilla method is one I don’t recommend, but when you find yourself in a pinch it works well. Basically, it consists of running around making unrecognizable grunts peppered with obscenities as you gather your belongs and put them into a suitcase. As items are gathered they are folded or bunched up in the time it takes you to get to the suitcase. Once all belongs are in you slam the lid down, say a prayer, and begin zipping.
At this point in time you might remember things you only purchased yesterday. And, first that they are not in said suitcase, and second there was enough purchased to take up its own suitcase. However, these bags are grabbed, thrown into the suitcase, slam the lid down, a second prayer is said, and you begin to question how structurally sound the zipper is, but there is no time, so you have faith and promise your first born to the airplane gods. Then, out comes the gorilla.
Not only does the running, grunting, and obscenities resemble the movements and sounds of a gorilla, but it is mainly this next bit that gives the true reason as to why I have named this the gorilla method. At this stage zipping becomes very difficult so an occasional shoving of items deeper into the suitcase is needed. This occasional shoving turns into an all-in out-and-out brawl with your suitcase and belongings. Here is where the gorilla starts beating arms against suitcase, chest, and anything nearby, all trying to get items to fit where just may not be enough room. The gorilla is strong within me, and I was successful. I gave myself a banana.
A frantic dash with all my luggage to the bus stop where I would have my first battle with patience of the day and having to wait for a bus. It did give me a chance to catch my breathe, but getting to the tube station was more preferred at the moment. The bus came, with multiple odd looks I packed my luggage onto the bus and I officially left 37 Hyde Park Gate.
The tube is interesting with luggage. I didn’t notice on my arrival, but people give you some looks when you have a lot of luggage. It’s as if they are asking themselves “What the hell?” or “Where are they going?” or “Wha-y?” It wasn’t that bad of a journey and soon I found myself at the airport.
Once checked in and through security the airport becomes a first-rate shopping mall. There were so many cosmetic counters and salespeople pushing perfume I felt like I was at Dillard’s or Nordstrom, not Heathrow International Airport. Finally, I made it through the high-class shopping center maze and made it to a Pret a Manger (a little grab and go place I have come to really enjoy). I found a seat in the waiting area, had a snack and repacked my carry-on.
It wasn’t long before I was finding my way to the proper gate and boarding a plane. Window seat this time, so I am more likely to sleep. Once I made it to my seat I realized it was like being in first-class compared to my flight over. I could actually stretch my feet and rest my head! The city cried as we left the gate, I will miss you too.
Ten hour flights are never fun. You know it is a long flight when the drink and/or food cart seems to carousel around and around and around. I watched The Monuments Men. I went to this movie when it came out and watched the majority of it on the ride over six weeks ago, but I will tell you this movie means so much more to me now than I could ever imagine. Art is precious, life is precious, and sometimes as artists and lovers of art we put ourselves on the line for art. It was moving, different from before. It was a nice way to spend time until we arrived in Dallas.
In Dallas I made my way through Customs, re-dropped my bag, went through security again and made it to my gate. Security was a bit of a handful, getting told to go this way and that way, but I played dead and survived. There seemed to be a lot of confusion in the Dallas airport, it was a little disconcerting, I was glad not to be there too long.
In the final leg of my trip to Salt Lake I spent my time reflecting. The things I’ve been taught, the amazingly different people I’ve met, places I’ve gone, and the experiences I’ve had, are all getting locked tightly away within my memory. I even know now I’ll be cherishing these memories for a great length of time.
Arriving to Salt Lake reaches the end of my journey. If you’re reading this I would like to thank you for being a part of my adventure. It has been wonderful to share this experience with you (no matter if there is only 1 to 100 of “you”). I look forward to adding more to this page. I’m seeing a “Creative Writing” tab coming very shortly, giving me a place to share. I don’t plan on waiting too long before seeing what fruits will be born from this level of inspiration. Like a bird pushed out of the nest, it is time to fly. With all my gratitude, thank you, again, for being a part of my journey.
Having limited time and many things to do packing became one hell of a task. Finally, I acknowledged the massive task at hand and resorted to the “gorilla method.” Now the gorilla method is one I don’t recommend, but when you find yourself in a pinch it works well. Basically, it consists of running around making unrecognizable grunts peppered with obscenities as you gather your belongs and put them into a suitcase. As items are gathered they are folded or bunched up in the time it takes you to get to the suitcase. Once all belongs are in you slam the lid down, say a prayer, and begin zipping.
At this point in time you might remember things you only purchased yesterday. And, first that they are not in said suitcase, and second there was enough purchased to take up its own suitcase. However, these bags are grabbed, thrown into the suitcase, slam the lid down, a second prayer is said, and you begin to question how structurally sound the zipper is, but there is no time, so you have faith and promise your first born to the airplane gods. Then, out comes the gorilla.
Not only does the running, grunting, and obscenities resemble the movements and sounds of a gorilla, but it is mainly this next bit that gives the true reason as to why I have named this the gorilla method. At this stage zipping becomes very difficult so an occasional shoving of items deeper into the suitcase is needed. This occasional shoving turns into an all-in out-and-out brawl with your suitcase and belongings. Here is where the gorilla starts beating arms against suitcase, chest, and anything nearby, all trying to get items to fit where just may not be enough room. The gorilla is strong within me, and I was successful. I gave myself a banana.
A frantic dash with all my luggage to the bus stop where I would have my first battle with patience of the day and having to wait for a bus. It did give me a chance to catch my breathe, but getting to the tube station was more preferred at the moment. The bus came, with multiple odd looks I packed my luggage onto the bus and I officially left 37 Hyde Park Gate.
The tube is interesting with luggage. I didn’t notice on my arrival, but people give you some looks when you have a lot of luggage. It’s as if they are asking themselves “What the hell?” or “Where are they going?” or “Wha-y?” It wasn’t that bad of a journey and soon I found myself at the airport.
Once checked in and through security the airport becomes a first-rate shopping mall. There were so many cosmetic counters and salespeople pushing perfume I felt like I was at Dillard’s or Nordstrom, not Heathrow International Airport. Finally, I made it through the high-class shopping center maze and made it to a Pret a Manger (a little grab and go place I have come to really enjoy). I found a seat in the waiting area, had a snack and repacked my carry-on.
It wasn’t long before I was finding my way to the proper gate and boarding a plane. Window seat this time, so I am more likely to sleep. Once I made it to my seat I realized it was like being in first-class compared to my flight over. I could actually stretch my feet and rest my head! The city cried as we left the gate, I will miss you too.
Ten hour flights are never fun. You know it is a long flight when the drink and/or food cart seems to carousel around and around and around. I watched The Monuments Men. I went to this movie when it came out and watched the majority of it on the ride over six weeks ago, but I will tell you this movie means so much more to me now than I could ever imagine. Art is precious, life is precious, and sometimes as artists and lovers of art we put ourselves on the line for art. It was moving, different from before. It was a nice way to spend time until we arrived in Dallas.
In Dallas I made my way through Customs, re-dropped my bag, went through security again and made it to my gate. Security was a bit of a handful, getting told to go this way and that way, but I played dead and survived. There seemed to be a lot of confusion in the Dallas airport, it was a little disconcerting, I was glad not to be there too long.
In the final leg of my trip to Salt Lake I spent my time reflecting. The things I’ve been taught, the amazingly different people I’ve met, places I’ve gone, and the experiences I’ve had, are all getting locked tightly away within my memory. I even know now I’ll be cherishing these memories for a great length of time.
Arriving to Salt Lake reaches the end of my journey. If you’re reading this I would like to thank you for being a part of my adventure. It has been wonderful to share this experience with you (no matter if there is only 1 to 100 of “you”). I look forward to adding more to this page. I’m seeing a “Creative Writing” tab coming very shortly, giving me a place to share. I don’t plan on waiting too long before seeing what fruits will be born from this level of inspiration. Like a bird pushed out of the nest, it is time to fly. With all my gratitude, thank you, again, for being a part of my journey.