In Time

Traveling to Paddington Station, I am reveling in the idea and anticipation of meeting Robert in yet another city, elsewhere in the world, from where we live - Johannesburg, Stockholm, London, Rome.  This time it's London again, and I very well may smile the entire way to city centre on the Heathrow Express.  Earlier it rained, unrelentingly.  Hours rolled on and the clouds found their way across the sky.  Now the Sun is shining a bit uncertainly, hovering nearby as if daring the clouds to know their place.  The train hums, almost a whistle, in what I imagine is a faint B flat. 

Terra cotta roofs wiz by, my eyes not quick enough to focus on just one.  I notice brown brick homes joined together, dirty in their appeal, many with gardens nestled tightly in the space at the rear.  A clothes line crossing at the corner while pairs of pants drape limp beneath them. 

From Frankfurt, I arrived in London where I would meet my Robert in 60 minutes time.

Dizzy



Dizzying travel schedules and long hours stealing me away in the night to reach some deadlines.  Yes we've all been there.  The clock strikes midnight.  But now that it is behind me, I can stop to share a bit of the adventure that ensued during that time.  From London UK -to- Geneva Switzerland -to- Annecy France -to- Mannhiem Germany -to- London UK -to- Marrakesh Morocco -to- London UK  (stay with me) -to- HOME!  

Annecy

Leaving Geneva

A bientot Geneve...

Where the supply of croissants never tires. Walks to work/home in the morning and evening are the best parts of the day.  Beautiful resident buildings with balconies so large, one can walk in the rain beneath them and never get wet.  Chill of the air against my face blending perfectly with sirens down a back street sounding in the distance. Til next time....

 

Mishap Marvel

I must have been due for a travel mishap...they are cyclical and if you haven't had one in a while you just know its out there waiting for you.

My flight to London had a mechanical issue that apparently enabled it to be flown domestically, but not over a large body of water. This caused us to reroute to JFK, where we 'borrowed' another plane and were given the gift of a 5-hr delay into LHR.  The upside?  I used the AA lounge shower - it was a welcome reprieve.  Time rolled on...

As we began the decent into "Geneve", the sky was dotted with patches of blue with bright sunshine, then clouds with rain lending their dreary fog effect on my view.  It was fascinating to fly through - sun, rain, sun, rain, but made for a most unique rainbow experience. 

The couple in front of me must have been 'important', as they were quickly escorted away the moment they stepped from the plane onto the jet bridge, to a car waiting below (black car of course).  I was tempted to follow them, play the quiet entourage, and hope no one would notice.  UN Diplomat?  Other?  Who knows. 

I find that on BA (British Airways) flights, the mystery 'sandwiches' always scare me just a little.  Thank goodness the scones more than make up for it.  And scones to end a day like this was A-ok for me.

Cheers.