Stream of Consciousness Arrival

In the airport: hustle, bustle, wait, watch, hugs, Rummy, hugs, phonecall, wait, wait, board.


On the plane: Waiting. Met St. Andrews kid, played with buttons, waited, took off, in awe of Atlanta down below. Gold stars wrapped in black chiffon. Looked out window. Tried to sleep. Couldn't sleep. Looked out window more. Had to close the window cover. Played with buttons more. Tapped fingers on the seat. Stared at sleeping people. Tried not to stare at sleeping people. Drank tea. Watched obscure bits of a movie. Very confusing. Listened to music. Decided not to listen to music. Crawled over people. Waited more.

From Heathrow to Oxford: Found friend. Found luggage. Found coach. Riding on the the motorway past old stone houses and fallen wood fences. Hilltops covered and covered in snow. Spirals of smoke from chimneys. Snow glowing pink in the wobbly-orange light. Sunset. Oh, the sheep. In town. In AWE. Wood and stone and history mingled. Spires and brick and angels and gryphons and saints. Scary Night-Bus driver dangerously close to rosy-faces wrapped in brightly-colored scarves (and the people attatched to them). Bus stop. Sudden silence. Nothing but the crunch of feet and the gentle mumur of softly-accented voices. Lights in the snow and posters for things unfamiliar. Taxi. Enjoyable. Anticipation. Lovely house. Warm welcome. Sleep.

First Day: Tired. Strange dreams. Wake up and ready to explore. Tea-first. Talking books with others. Found new friend. In-town adventure and more immense awe. Beauty and wonderful stories everywhere. Surprisingly peaceful and happy. A studious calm. Accents EVERYWHERE. Return to house and embark on lovely walk in the snow to the Vines. Pretty parks and bridges and snowballs. More new friends. Delicious food and warm fellowship. Tea again. Exploring in town second time with the Covenant gang. Pictures and rubber boots. THE EAGLE AND CHILD. Mind-blown. Fish and chips at the EAGLE AND CHILD. Return to the Vines. More Tea. Talked to boy. Happy. More tea. Silly movie. Fun people. Ready to call it a night. :-)