Why are there seagulls outside my window? I thought as I opened my eyes. Light was stretching across the floor from underneath the curtains. I pushed the sheets off and started to roll over only to find that my bed was smaller than I remembered. I sat up and looked around, still trying to gather my thoughts. On the nightstand was my watch and bag and an empty bottle of water. I looked over to my left to see a high ceiling with a chandler hanging from it. At the far wall stood a desk with Keurig cups and Ipod station clock. This isn't my room. I stood and walked to the window, getting blasted in the face with bright sun. I shielded my eyes to see the old stone buildings stretching beyond the glass, a large abbey in the center of them. Reality came back to me. I was in Bath Spa in England! It seemed that my vacation hadn't sunk in yet and I was still thinking I had to go to work. I showered, dressed, and headed downstairs to the attached restaurant called Brasserie Brunel. Since I was a guest here, I was able to get a free breakfast. I checked over the menu and found an interesting choice. A full or half English breakfast was new to me and obviously part of the culture. I had promised myself to try and fit in as best I could. I ordered a full English and was surprised by what was on the platter. Two eggs any style, bacon (looked like a ham slice, but tasted like the bacon strips in America), sausage, mushrooms, two wedges of tomatoes, baked beans, and toast with jam, all along with tea leaves, a strainer and hot water for the tea cup at the table. I ate it all, though I was also surprised that I did. I don't normally (translate to EVER) eat tomatoes, baked beans, or mushrooms (unless on pizza) for breakfast. The choices opened my eyes to the deliciousness I was missing out on. With breakfast done, I took a new route as I set out into Bath and ended up at Bath Abbey. My plan was to go in, but I saw something else out of the corner of my eye. A small group was gathering around two people. I inched my way closer and found that it was a walking tour. It was set for 10:30 am. I decided that I could visit the abbey later. We walked back the way I came, stopping in a circle street. Our tour guide gestured to a long archway and told us about how that was the gateway to the original abbey. He went on to say that Henry VII burned the original to the ground because they didn't conform to his beliefs. The city believes that the original abbey stood from the gateway to Orange Grove (a pretty big layout when you look at a map). Continuing the tour, we traveled to the Orange Grove, which was named after the Duke of Orange. The big treat was when we went uphill to a place called The Circus. The Circus was a ring of flats that people lived in. The cost - 1 million pounds. He pointed out one of the flats. "That one was bought by Nicolas Cage, but he had to sell it due to his financial issues," he said. "Fun fact, the man who lives there currently is under investigation for fraud, so everyone believes that flat to be cursed." From the Circus, we walked to the Royal Crescent, a half-moon shaped row of flats. Our guide informed us that the price to live there was the same as the Circus. The Crescent had a large open field of grass, a field closer to it cut off by a pathway. As I looked closer at a sign, it seemed that that patch of grass was only for Royal Crescent residents. The group traveled downhill from the Royal Crescent, to the Victoria Gardens, named after Queen Victoria. "Now, Queen Victoria visited Bath Spa to see these gardens," our guide stopped us. "Bath, at the time, was dirty with soot and the Queen refused to ever come back, even with the restoration." Our tour concluded back at the Abbey. Ignoring my original plan of going inside, I decided to continue exploring on my own. I took out the map that I had gotten at the Royal Hotel and scanned it as I walked. Today's the day, I told myself. Today I will use this map and won't get...dang it! I was lost again, though this time I was still within the city. I looked around, trying to find anything that resembled the things on the map. I had no luck. Two hours passed me by as I wandered, enjoying the scenery. There were gardens and river pathways, buildings still covered in soot from the old days, and all manner of people walking the streets. At 1:51 pm, I found the edge of familiar territory at The Cork. I walked into the pub to find that it was towards the end of Sunday Roast. I entered to the welcoming atmosphere. The music of The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The Commadores, and Marvin Gaye drifted into my ears as I ordered and ate. Some patrons sat eating at a couch, others joined tables. I listened to the laughter and light-hearted conversation all around me. I ate my food in the relaxing environment, resting my aching body for the adventure ahead. I left The Cork and headed to my original destination that day, Bath Abbey. Once again, something caught my eye and I veered away from the Abbey, ending up at The Roman Baths next to it. I had read that the Baths were what the city was best known for. I rented a tour tape and walked through the building. Every once in a while, there would be a number for me to punch in and I would learn the history of whatever piece I was at. The large pool of water below the balcony (see left picture), was a public bath. Men, women, and children would gather and bathe together. Later, when I traveled to the ground floor, I discovered that there were private baths to use as well. Continuing through the chambers, I came across a huge pool. The tape told me that people would throw coins and even gems into it and make a wish. I found that some of the coins and gems had been fished out and put on display. The tour concluded with a chance to drink filtered water from the baths. It was considered healing water and would cure anyone. I took a small cup from the stack and held it under the gentle waterfall. It looked okay to me as I swirled it around. "Bottoms up," I muttered as I tipped it back into my mouth. The warmth of the water hit my tongue and I paused, deciding if I should spit it out. I was surrounded by other tourists and I didn't want to make this part of the attraction bad. I swallowed the warm water, tossed the cup, and left. Trying to forget the taste, I headed over to Bath Abbey, determined not to be deterred again. The building itself was beautiful, with statues of angels climbing the outside. I entered, paid a donation, and walked onto the floor and paused. There were different sizes of stone tiles on the floor. I walked up to the nearest one and read it. My blood drained as I realized it was a grave. I, who was uncomfortable walking in cemeteries, was standing next to the dead. I moved to the side as I realized I was above a bodies head. I turned my own head and found the entire floor was made of grave tiles, some as large as a person. While I had heard of this in old churches, I wasn't truly prepared. While I walked around, snapping pictures of the beauty, I made sure to avoid the center of the bodies and just walked around them as best I could. Getting hungry, I left the Abbey and searched for a place to eat. I found a fast food type place that served me fish n' chips. Friends and family had told me that I needed to try it, but the experience kind of disappointed me. I didn't know what I was expecting with it, but I knew that this was not what I was supposed to have. Still, food was what I needed and I ate it happily. I looked out the window at the people that passed by. They walked in and out of the buildings, the setting sun casting shadows over their paths. How small I felt, sitting in the restaurant and seeing how many other people were around me. I started to feel lonely. Finishing my meal, I left and joined the thinning crowd in the outside world. I returned to my hotel at 8:35 pm. Zoe was at the front desk, writing something in a book. I inquired about it and she told me that it was a time sheet to log the hours that she had worked. I was surprised. "You don't have to do this at your job?" she asked. "No, we just use a fingerprint reader to clock in or out." She seemed impressed and asked if we used spy technology for everyday life. As the night continued, we discovered the differences in each other's culture. I learned some British lingo, talked about the difference in schooling and bacon (of all things), and some of the other employees joined in. This was the experience I had come for, this was what I longed for. By 10 pm, Zoe and the others left and I went to my room. I dropped my writer's bag and watch on the table. I docked by Ipod to charge and play music as I looked out through the open curtains. The shining lights of Bath Spa illuminated the navy blue sky. This is my last night in this beautiful city, I realized. When morning came, I would be on my way to London. Would I be all right? Was two days enough time to be ready for a transfer to a big city? I can't think like that. It will be fine. You'll do great! I drew the curtains, changed into my sleep attire, and slid into bed. I stared up at the ceiling again, preparing myself for tomorrow. I would finally live my dream of going to London, England. I couldn't, no, I wouldn't let my fear get the better of me. This trip was mine and I would enjoy it 100%. I reached over to the bedside table and turned off the lamp. I curled up in the bed and steadied my breathing. This time tomorrow, I will be in London...I can't wait, I smiled as I drifted to sleep. To be continued... Music for the Journey Pt. 3:
Waking to seagulls: Tsuntsun Kenken by Yasuhiro Misawa (Kotoura-san Blu-ray Special CD 1) Full English Breakfast: Peorth by Hamaguchi Shirou (Ah! My Goddess Sorezore no Tsubasa Original Soundtrack) Walking Tour: Emily's Reel by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Mark O'Connor (Appalachian Journey) Lost Again: Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg (Lightning Bolt - Single) Chaconne in G Major by Daniel Hope, Lorenza Borrani, Jonathan Cohen, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Stefan Maass, Stefan Rath & Hans-Kristian Kjos Sorensen (Air - A Baroque Journey) The Cork/Sunday Roast: My Girl by The Temptations (20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Motown 1960s , Vol. 1) Ooo Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (My World - The Definitive Collection) Brick House by The Commodores (The Best of The Commodores: The Millennium Collection) Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (The Very Best of Marvin Gaye) The Roman Baths: Carla no Kokuhaku by Yasuharu Takanashi (TV Anime "FAIRY TAIL" Original Soundtrack Vol. 3) Bath Abbey: Heimr Àrnadalr by Christophe Beck (Frozen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Deluxe Edition]) Fish n' Chips: Moment of Rest by Maeda Jun (Angel Beats! Original Soundtrack) Talking with Zoe: Saigo no Yoru by Kawada Ruka (Kiniro Mosaic Sound Book - Hajimemashite Yoroshiku ne.) Last night to look at the city: A Tender Feeling by Kajiura Yuki (Sword Art Online Original Soundtrack Vol. 1) End Pt. 3: Runs & Winds by Joshua Hyslop (In Deepest Blue)
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My plane landed and I followed the crowd like salmon swimming up river. Soon, I was in line to have my passport checked. The attendant asked me about my visit, if I was there alone, if I was bringing anything into the country that was dangerous, and how long I was staying. I was alert enough to find that she repeated the questions in a new way. I was also awake enough to not stumble. My passport was stamped and I continued to follow the crowd. I then found myself apart of a more sparse group that were headed to the trains and buses. I arrived at 6:30 am and headed to the ticket counter. "Hello," I greeted. "Could I get a ticket to Bath Spa?" The woman's response was hard to understand. Her accent was thick and it sounded like she was saying "Bespa." Seeing my difficulty, she repeated slowly so I could hear it. Yep, that was my destination. My confusion returned when she gave me the price. "Twenty-one pounds and eighty pence?" I pulled out some money that the family had given me. I felt foolish that I had done so much research except the basic skill of how to exchange money. I was thankful as she helped me sort it out and explained what I needed to know. I received my ticket and was ready to board...as soon as 8:15 am came around. Since I had so much time to kill, I sat in the terminal and watched people. I listened to the difference in speech, stories (if I could understand the language), and I made friends with the countless pigeons that roamed the floor (one was nestled right next to me on the seat. His name was Greg). 8:15 arrived and I boarded the bus. There weren't many people on. Three elderly people who were asleep and a crowd of three from Spain. Boarding the bus with me was a group of five from France and two teens that hadn't stopped snogging since I had arrived at the bus terminal (I don't think they ever stopped the entire trip). The bus pulled out of the station and the watched the city life turn into country side. As I watched the rolling green hills speed by, I felt the effects of jet lag sinking into my body. My eye lids started to droop and I noticed my breathing becoming slow and steady. I needed to stay awake! I looked down at the ticket in my hand, taking in the information printed. While I had originally planned to just be in London for two weeks, advice from friends and family told me to choose a smaller area. I figured it would help me start an understanding of the culture without the full blast of city life. With that settled, I had chosen Bath Spa, home of the Roman Baths, as a starting point. From the information I was able to gather, it seemed like a nice small town and had good reviews. I felt my mind wandering into sleep again and brought out my Ipod and popped the earbuds in. While I listened to upbeat music, I watched the other drivers on the, what I felt, was a narrow road. I paid attention to the roundabouts and how uniform the driving seemed to be. We reached Sainsbury by 8:54, Chippenham at 10:00, and the bus finally pulled into Bath station a half hour later. I got up and collected my bags again, exiting the bus with two of the elderly and the couple that stopped making out long enough to leave. I had printed out a map of where my hotel was and was surprised that it was just diagonal to the station. The Royal hotel was on a street corner right across from the train station. I entered to a lobby area of two chairs in an alcove and a fireplace. Around the corner was the reception desk, a small cut out in the wall. The receptionist told me that I wasn't able to check in until 1 pm as they were still getting the room ready. I was welcomed to leave my luggage there under lock and key. I took a sling bag from my back pack, will be henceforth known as my writer's bag, and headed out to explore the town! I spent the next hour exploring the city of Bath. I walked through alleyways and vertical streets, taking pictures of my surroundings. I discovered that my hotel was at the very bottom of the uphill city. Being the unfit man I was, I had trouble getting from one block to the other, wheezing at every uphill battle. Definitely should have worked out more before coming here, I thought after the fifth block. I came across a blue door during my struggle. It was different than the doors I had seen before. I took a picture of it. It led me to a stained-glass window of a church, T.K. Maxx, and eventually to Hogsmeade Park. I followed the path to a small pavilion and took a picture of the distant hills over the buildings. I checked my watch to find it was noon and I would be able to check into my room soon. I started downhill and ended up in an unfamiliar area. I should try and retrace my steps, I figured. I didn't have a map and I felt that I had asked directions one too many times. It was time to pull up my big boy pants and trust my instincts. I headed back towards the park. When I continued uphill without finding it, I knew I was in trouble. I remembered something like this had happened before. Back home, I had gotten lost with my friend in our hometown state park (I was asked to lead). The embarrassing part of that was the fact that the trails had been well marked! I continued in what I hoped was the right direction. The city started to fade and I ended up on a country path. It was wide and headed in the direction of my hotel (I hoped). By 1 pm I was hopelessly lost. I had traveled the road more than I knew I should have and the sun was beating down on me. My clothes were drenched in sweat, I had finished my rations of protein bars (they were supposed to last the entire trip!), I needed water, and I needed to know where I was! This feels like castaway, I thought as my shoes continued to scrape the dirt road, except that I'm an idiot and not on an island. I scanned ahead for anything I could find to mark my location. I remembered an old castle-like building on a hill as the bus had neared Bath. I couldn't find that anywhere. I couldn't find that, but I saw something else. A bicycle riding towards me! I was saved! The rider approached and noticed my sorry state. She stopped and asked if I was okay. "I'm a little lost," I chuckled. "I'm trying to get to Bath Spa." Her widened eyes told me that I was really lost. "Well, you're almost to Kelston," she informed me. "And if you continue past that, you'll reach Bristol." She pointed back down the road. "Go back the way you came and you'll find a smaller road that will lead you back down to Bath Spa." I thanked her and turned around, her bike going ahead of me. I walked all the way back and found a smaller road that I had missed before. It led me downhill and to a street that was familiar to me. I was back in Bath! I reached my hotel at 2 pm and went to the reception desk. A new girl was there, Zoe, and she checked me in, flabbergasted that I had almost walked to Kelston (4 miles/1 hr at least walking from Bath). I received my baggage and trudged up the stairs to my room. I felt lucky that it was the first room at the first floor and I didn't have to continue climbing. I entered my room. It was thin, with tall ceilings. I don't think I took everything in. I showered, changed my clothes, and fell into the bed. I spotted a bottle of water on the bedside table. Still dehydrated, I grabbed it and drank it in no time at all. Even warm, the water refreshed me. I laid back down in bed and fell into a blissful sleep, my mind and body weary. I woke to the sound of seagulls. I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. Where am I? I looked around at the unfamiliar setting. This wasn't my room. Oh, that was right! I was in England! Information was making its way back to me. I got off the bed and walked over to a desk at the other end of the small room. The clock on its surface read 6:30 pm. I sat in the chair and looked over the brochures they had. Pubs, food, seasonal events, the list continued. My mind was not alert enough to soak everything in. I thought back to my time of being lost. All during my journey, I had come across pinkish-purple signs advertising a comedy walk. I had even taken a picture of it. I went to my camera and flipped through my trip, coming across the subject. "Huntsman Inn," I read. "8 pm..." I glanced at the clock. It was a little past 7 now. I collected my coat and an umbrella and headed downstairs. "Excuse me," I asked Zoe at the front desk. "Can you tell me how to get to the Huntsman Inn?" She pulled out a map and circled both the hotel and my destination, drawing a line for the best route there. I thanked her, took the map, and headed out into the evening air. It was still a bit humid, but a cool breeze was starting to blow. I arrived at the Huntsman Inn a few minutes later (amazing how much time you save when you have a map, right?) A small group was gathering and a man in a purple suit came out of the building. "Welcome!" he was energetic. "Who is here for the Bizarre Bath Tour?" I raised my hand with everyone else. "Wonderful! Did anyone pre-book tickets before coming here?" He paused. "We'll I hope not because then you've been scammed and you'll still have to pay me. It's ten pounds each, seven for students." Knowing the monetary system now, I pulled out £10 from my writers bag and handed it to him. "Now that that is done, please raise your hand if this is your first time." Everyone hesitated. "On the tour," he laughed. "We'll now I know what kind of crowd I'm working with tonight." I laughed with the others as I raised my hand with a few others. He asked each where they were from. There was a couple from Spain, another from China, two from Bristol, another from Alabama, and of course me. "Philip, from Illinois," I said. "Okay, if I need you for something, I'll call out Illinoisssssss," he pronounced the S (the S is silent for those who do not know. Pronounced L-lee-noy). He took us to an alley way with a sign above a door. "Some people think we are all comedy, but this is also a historical tour as well. Does anyone know what this building is?" We shook our heads and he looked up and started reading from the sign. We continued on the tour, making stops along the way. He had small activities set up and jokes abound. At one point, a couple walked in front of the tour while he was talking to us on a soap box. He paused and we all watched them pass by. "Sorry about that," he came back to us. "I was just surprised since that was my fiance there...don't know who that woman was with him." He cracked a grin with the light tone at the end of his improv. During middle of the tour, it started to rain. I was glad I had come prepared. A man asked if I would share the umbrella with his girlfriend. "You can have it if you two need," I offered. "No, that's fine, mate, I'll be fine," he said. Talking with them while we walked, I found that they were the couple from Bristol and while they were aware of the rainy weather, they still had not packed an umbrella. By tours end, I didn't feel so lost in the world. The group parted and I headed back to my hotel. I reached my room by midnight and changed into pajama pants and a white t-shirt before sliding into bed. I turned off the lamp and stared at the ceiling. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I thought of the excitement that I had that day. It had been scary getting lost, but being with everyone at the Bath tour made everything seem better again. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep with the sound of the seagulls shrill calls. To be continued... Music for the Journey Pt. 2:
-To the Buses: Leon Outo no Machinami by Yokoyama Masaru, Tsutsumi Hiroaki (Yūsha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shūshoku o Ketsui Shimashita Vol. 1 Special CD) - Bus Ride to Bath: Morning Coffee by Kawada Ruka (Kiniro Mosaic Sound Book) Imegir by SILVA (Claridão) Ocean by The John Butler Trio (Searching for Heritage) Finch on Saturday by Horse Feathers (Words are Dead) - Exploring Bath Spa/Lost: Tachikoma No Iede by Kanno Yoko (Ghost in the Shell - Stand Alone Complex: Be Human) Bushitsu Nite by Yashurio Misawa (Kotoura-san Blu-ray Special CD 1) School Road by RADWIMPS (Kimi no Na wa OST) - Bizarre Bath Tour: Yahalloo! by Ishihama Kakeru (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru Original Sountrack) - A Look Back Before Bed: Memory by Maeda Jun (Angel Beats! Original Soundtrack) - End Pt. 2: Behind the Sea (Alternate Version) by Panic! At the Disco (Pretty.Odd - Deluxe Version) I opened my eyes to my mother telling me we were almost at the airport. I stayed leaned back in the car seat, feeling the hum off the vehicle, trying to wake up. When I finally sat up, bringing the back with me, I looked out the window. We were coming up to O'Hare airport in Chicago, Illinois. I rubbed my eyes, trying to gather my mind as to why I was here. I had stayed up the night before trying to finish writing my first book, Kubrit (A task that would have been much easier had my computer not crashed and half of what I had written was erased). I remembered thinking, If the plane crashes, I at least want the gist of this done. (Positive thought, right?). I saved the file, finished packing, jumped into mother's car, and fell asleep. The rest comes back to me as we near the sidewalk entrance. I was on my first trip alone. My destinations: Bath Spa and London, England. My heart started to beat in my chest, my mind fully awake now. I jumped out of the car as we parked, everything had to be timed perfectly so the crowd of cars behind didn't get annoyed. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and pulled the wheeling suitcase from the backseat. I hugged and kissed my mother and walked into the airport. Did I mention that this was my first trip alone? I was on a lot of family vacations, but everything was done for me. So, there were two options for me. Continue the stereotype of men refusing to ask directions, or swallow the pride I didn't have and ask for help. I asked and was directed to the line I needed to be in, my suitcase small enough to be carry on. I looked ahead to find the body scanners. I had read article on the best way to handle the situation. Demanding that they put your shoes on after making you take them off is not one of them. Still tired, I forgot that I was wearing a belt and the machine beeped at me. As if turning around and facing everyone that I was holding up wasn't embarrassing enough, I had to wait in line in socks until my turn came around again. I made it through no problem the second time and gathered my things, heading for my terminal. It was a long stretch and I found myself huffing and puffing as I reached my area. I should have worked out more, I thought as I sat down, waiting for my flight. An announcement came over the speaker, letting me know that the flight was running late, but would be arriving in half an hour. I twiddled my thumbs and checked my packs every few seconds. My nerves were creeping up again. I shouldn't be on my own, I told myself. I should be back home, perfecting my book. I was crumbling. Forget a sleepover at a friends house for a week, I was staying overseas for almost two weeks! Who knew if I would even make it. The plane could crash! While I was in my worry, the plane landed, passengers exited, and all that was left was to wait until they called my seat. I texted a few friends, called another few. The responses I received made me feel more confident, but also made me wish they were right there with me (some offered, but wanted me to pay for their ticket. Not happening!). My seating was called and I got up into the boarding line. "Where are you headed to?" the woman behind me asked. I turned to find a woman looking to be in her early sixties smiling up at me. "Bath Spa and London." "Bath Spa is lovely." Her voice sounded American, so I figured she was a fellow traveler as well. While the line moved forward slowly, I asked her what she knew about our destination. She told me that her husband was a pastor that was called to a church in England, so they had lived there for a while. "I'm heading back after visiting family," she said. "As for things to do, I would suggest heading into a pub for fish n' chips. Oh, and you need to have Sunday Roast, which is usually served around lunch time." I assured her I would as we boarded the plane and parted ways, making a mental note to look up what Sunday Roast was. I strapped into my window seat, the only other person in my row taking the aisle seat. The plane starts to move and I found my fingernails digging into the armrests. Was it my nerves about my trip? As the plane started to speed up and I was pressed back into my seat, I felt a sickening rise in my stomach. Oh, right, I remembered, I hate take off and landing. While I tried to keep my cool, I couldn't help but look out the window. In a single moment, I felt the gravity of the world disappear around my body as the last of the wheels left the ground. The people become smaller and smaller, the backed up traffic of Chicago becoming a shiny river. The tall buildings that I was in awe of as we got closer in the car were now like Matchbox play sets. The plane turned, making sure to head toward our proper destination. As we broke through the clouds, I could see the sun setting in the distance, its beauty unhindered by city lights or crowded streets. I set the touch screen in the seat in front to the map and then leaned my head against the side. As the clouds flew past my window and the dusk sky turned into a blanket of stars, I found peace within the heavens, my dreams filled with excitement of the future. I awoke to a gentle tap on my shoulder. The other passenger in the row was letting me know that dinner was being served. I chose the beef brisket which tasted much better than the past airline food I had been given during the family trips. I checked our progress on the map display as I ate, seeing we were about half way in our 8 hour flight. I checked my phone to find that I had no service and that my phone didn't carry an international package (I had an old flip phone). Guess I will have to communicate through Facebook, I thought to myself as I turned off my phone's power. After dinner, I fell asleep again, this time waking to an announcement from the captain that we were flying directly over Dublin, Ireland. I looked out the window to find the darkness of night broken by a city of lights. I couldn't make out anything specific, but the sparkle of the city made the sight beautiful nonetheless. I had read articles about jet lag and that once you landed, you wanted to stay up until that night so your body would adjust to the time change. Knowing that, I stayed up the rest of the flight, the dawn finally pulling back the cover of night. A half an hour later at 5:50 am, the pilot announced the arrival to Heathrow airport. I looked out the window again to find the same blanket of clouds we had been over for the last leg of the journey. Every once in a while, I was able to catch a glimpse of a building or a body of water. Before my observations could amount to much, I felt my stomach lurch into my throat. The plane started to drop as if sliding down a hill slide with several bumps along the way. I found myself gripping the armrests again. I tried to think of how to improve Kubrit. What adventures would I have in this new land? We disappeared into the clouds, my vision obscured. The blindness wasn't helping me relax. We broke through the fluffy white and I saw the ground rising fast. "Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god!" I hissed under my breath. The plane evened out without so much as a bump. With the grace of a ballet, the pilots rolled the plane up to the terminal exit. I calmed myself as everyone else started to disembark. My body was not yet used to the idea of being on land again. As the crowd thinned, I gathered my backpack, suitcase, and left the plane as well. You know that moment in movies and TV shows? The one where the main character arrives somewhere new and they take a moment to appreciate the view? They have a smile or a confident smirk on their face, their eyes alight with passion for their adventure. They breath in deep and let out a contented sigh before picking up their belongings and heading out. This was my moment. I was a stranger in a new land. I wore that smile. I had that passion. I breathed in deeply and realized...I was holding up the people trying to get out of the airport. With my ears turning a shade of red, I gathered everything and followed the crowd who looked like they knew where they were going. Even through my embarrassment, I was excited. My first trip alone in an unknown world was truly beginning! To be continued... Music for the Journey Pt. 1:
- Arrival at Airport: Happy Monday by Hashimoto Yukari (Toradora OST) - Flight to England: To the Sky by Owl City - Heroic Pose: Arrival by James Dooley (Position Music - Orchestral Series Vol. 2) - End Pt. 1: Starlight by Muse (Black Holes and Revelations) |
Philip M. WardenI like to write and I like to travel. Why not put both together? Archives
June 2016
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