Showing posts with label hey and I'm still alive which is very cool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hey and I'm still alive which is very cool. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

preparing to leave

I've changed my travel plans once again, which I very strongly suspect shall be my last major tweak. Fortunately I have an "H" Class fare that accepts doctor's notes as a reason to refund the change fee (in theory, anyways). I unwrapped my pre-trip disquietude and gave it as rational a voice as I could with the help of those close to me. A significant change was releasing a brief visit with one of my most cherished friends in London. My head and heart had said, "Yes!" when I'd first booked the 36-hour layover. And yet the scratchy filter of my health limitations began to grate. I listened, I spoke with all of those involved, I sought agreement.... and only then made the changes. My dear friend Eva in London understands and forgives me. I hope that she's smiling if she reads this.

I will arrive three days earlier in Roswell, Georgia. Susan is graciously picking me up at Atlanta Airport at 11:30 pm. I really did offer to take the shuttle! By the time we hit the hay perhaps two hours later, I will have been up for 24 hours. This is a remote part of the world and it takes many many steps to leave here and make my way to the American South. We'll leave the bothies by car at 7:15 am to arrive in time for the 8:29 am Aviemore train. It arrives at Edinburgh Waverley Station at 11:15 am, and I scramble with heavy luggage to catch the shuttle to Edinburgh Airport, where I am just maybe possibly early enough for my 1:35 pm departure for London Heathrow. Whatever the case, I'll do my best.... arriving LHR at 3 pm, and then hopping another flight at 4:20 pm for a 7:25 pm arrival at Washington Dulles. I'll wait for the 9:50 pm United Shuttle to Atlanta, and .... voila! One bedraggled traveler being welcomed by a loving friend. My body will think it's 5 hours later. I'll cope.

I arrived here in Scotland on April 6th hoping for 6 months and dreaming about more. I am heading back to the USA after 3-1/2 months. And as they say in many corners, more shall be revealed.