The Journey Home and Some Reflections

[chawen]

 A Proper Good Afternoon to You

I had a smooth trip back. The walk from Holborn to Kings Cross was pretty easy although the sky began to spit and I'd packed my umbrella. The adventure began once I got to Kings Cross and tried to figure out the elevators. I had to take three separate lifts to three different levels, and then I just missed the train I needed.

Not all trains go to Heathrow. If you need Terminals 2 and 3, you're in luck all trains to Heathrow stop there, but I needed Terminal 5, so I had to wait twenty minutes for that particular train. It finally came, I got checked in, security made me take off my wrist brace (Grrrr), and I went and. had a snack in the lounge because I'd breakfasted early and by noon I was hungry!

I often read or watch reviews of business class products, and sometimes I have to laugh as the reviewers appear fantastically picky. Dude, you're in business class, appreciate it!  Well, now it's my turn to gripe. I was looking forward to having my own little cubicle, and it was nothing of the sort. The seats were in a "herringbone" configuration, and my seat was totally exposed on the aisle--no privacy at all, and the window seat occupant would have to climb over me to use the toilet. No way I was going to get any sleep.

Then. A mother was seated separately from her son, who was very stressed, and she was distressed as a result. A flight attendant asked if I would be willing to move. Of course! I'd done it before to oblige people, and it's not a big deal--and I benefitted because I ended up in a better seat. The mother was absurdly grateful, but seriously, travelers help each other, and I was happy to help.

My new seat had more privacy. I did share it with another woman, but she was helpful and quiet and I did manage to get some sleep.

I enjoyed London and this trip and my trip to Porto restored some of my faith in humanity. When I see the news, I see a lot of gleeful cruelty to people who are different or disadvantaged. Well, I am neither, but I am a little old lady, and I received so much help and kindness on my trips.  I needed it, too, as my wrist is still a bit wonky.  People seemed to go out of their way to look after me. I deeply appreciated it.

So there's good out there and kindness without expecting return. It was a wonderful thing for me to experience.

Cheerio