Day 1 - The Shortest Night

8:45 -

Leave Newark for Edinburgh. I have eaten from a groovy little airport restaraunt called "Maui Tacos" and am happy and full. Once on the plane I am asked to give up my aisle seat (which I requested on the advice of friends a month in advance) so that a family can sit together. Note to self: Must learn to say "no." Anyway, it turns out well as I am sitting next to a nice and talkative Scottish lady who is telling me all of the sights to see in Edinburgh.

"Cheaper By The Dozen" plays on the video screens - I decide that I do not like Steve Martin. He is not really very funny - except in Three Amigos when he's on the wall trying to give bird calls to his not-so-smart compadres - "Lookuphere! Lookuphere! Heyoutwo! Lookuphere!"

10:00 -

It is dark and we are over the ocean. Occasionally I see a light in the blackness - is it a ship? An oil rig? I cannot imagine the improbability of seeing such a thing in such a wide ocean. As I think back now, I wonder if it was perhaps a star. I did not watch long enough to see if it moved, but later in the night I did realize that I could see stars if I pressed my face against the window and shut out the light with my hands...

They are serving dinner now. The stewardess says to me "Chicken or Beef." I am taking off guard and am somewhat surprised that I should be offered dinner at 10 pm. I say "chicken" I realize only later that another option was "no thanks" and so I am looking at a plate of food, when my tummy is already full with "Maui Tacos." I gallently strive to eat some of everything - finding, surprisingly, that the banana bread dessert is really very good. I am struck by the funny image of myself on the ground looking up at a plane overhead and wondering what's for dinner. The image of people eating on the plane above me makes me smile a little. Then the thought of people using the bathroom on the plane above me makes me laugh out loud. I determine not to use the bathroom on the flight.

2:30 -

They are serving breakfast. I have been dozing so I awake to the sound of the plastic tray sliding on to my tray table next to my book. I cannot eat at 2:30 in the morning.

3:00 -

The morning sun greets me and I look down on clouds. They look quilted - tiny designs and patterns repeated over and over in the white fluff. The map says I'm over Ireland. I strain to see it, but only clouds.

3:30 -

Landing! In Scotland! The passport people are nice and there is hardly a wait at all. I exchange money and follow the signs to the busses. I have been instructed to ride bus 35. I ask the driver when I get on if he could help me get off at "Chambers Street." He does not understand a word coming out of my mouth. I repeat and then he says something in return. I do not understand a word coming out of his mouth! But he waves me back, so I make my way to a seat, hoping that we have communicated and that I will find my stop!

4:15 -

The driver says something for the first time all drive, so I assume he is talking to me. I ask, "This is Chambers?" He says something again that is beyond my understanding, but I do believe I hear "Chambers" or something like it. I get off. Who knows where I am... Holy Moley! I know where I am! I'm in Edinburgh, Scotland! I am across the street from the Royal Museum! I am standing on cobblestones and old cut grey stones and all the cars are driving on the left side of the road! I'm in Scotland!

4:20 -

Cini greets me and I am taken up a flight of stairs to the flat. He insists on feeding me and making tea. We talk about everything and laugh at all the silliness of life. Soon he sends me to bed and I sleep hard and well, ready for adventures and exploring!

posted by Headless-in-GR @ 8/25/2004 07:21:00 AM