I left August 19th, and
arrived on the morning of the 20th sans luggage. No luggage! I immediately went to
British Air baggage and made a claim, filled out the forms and lamented my
fate. “Oh it’s those Spaniards,” I
was told. “Couldn’t seem to transfer your suitcase from one plane to another in
an hour and a half’s time.” The
clerk’s commented. “Should be here in the next 24 hours,” and politely waved me
on with a smile.
Today is August 22, 2013 to date
American Airlines still can’t find my luggage during the transfer from their
flight 112 Miami to Barcelona to a 10:30 British Air flight to London the same
day. Although clearly marked to
London, fully described and with a big rubber tag from my favorite travel
company ACIS with my name and home address indelibly written on it, there is
still no word. I doubt anyone has
even looked! A pox on American
Airlines in Barcelona! No wonder you are going under! I am more than a little upset.
No time to lament that situation. I
had a train to catch. Upon
arriving at Britrail I found my train ticket had been lost in the system and I
had to buy another at a much higher rate than my Internet purchase. Because of the higher cost of the
ticket, I had to take a later train, which would arrive in Newcastle much later
than I had told the New Bridge Residences where I was staying that I would
arrive -after 11 PM.
I now had five hours to spare.
Unfortunately I had not taken my own advice to travelers and packed and extra
set of undies (knickers – the English term) in my carry on. So I was immediately forced to go
shopping. Drat! For those novice
travelers: note clothes shopping in the UK and on the continent is extremely
expensive. Also as for as I know, shopping around St. Pancreas/Kings Cross
station is sparse. I looked within
the two connected stations’ shops and all I found were these alluring lacing
little things one might use to entice, at exorbitant prices. I was in the market for something more
medicinal, little tiddy-whities for daily use (I was told later, the Kings
Cross area is a little red lightish).
Having failed at new undie
shopping, I immediately went to the only place I know in the area, the
wonderful British Library. One could certainly forget their lingerie problem
surrounded by on of the world’s best collection of books and literature,
located in multi-floored glass cases one can watch go up and down to the book
floor necessary when a librarian had to retrieve an individual book for a
reader, free internet, a glorious gift shop, a great little cafe and an
exhibition of PROPAGANDA, Power and Persuasion. The title made me think about
the propaganda of the necessity of clean knickers (we are in the UK after
all) daily, when I had only one pair, the ones I was wearing. I suppressed my unsavory thoughts and
took in as much as one could in the time allotted. Two hours on the Internet, a
great egg salad on rye and the exhibition on Propaganda. It was so all
encompassing, I forgot my troubles and trudged through the negative concepts
historic, and otherwise, that all propaganda is not bad. After all we Americans are now coughing
in our sleeves instead of sending our germs air-born. Good job, propaganda.
We are accepting gay marriage and allowing these couples the same
benefits as every other couple.
Good job again. But guns;
the NRA has the high hand in that – but that’s where money and right-wingers’
talk control congress, ignoring the majority of the people. I did not need a whole exhibition on
Propaganda for me to know that clean knickers were necessary and guns were
not.
As I stated earlier because of my
late train, I was late getting to my room for the night. I had made a
University Rooms reservation; accommodations that are clean and really quite
pleasant – located in safe and often central locations around the world. Here,
I’d like to impose my travel ad for University Rooms. Universities offer en-suite rooms – key in University
Rooms and see the list. It’s an excellent travel choice and I
have never yet been disappointed.
Keep in mind, you are not going to the Ritz but certainly for a cheap or
modestly priced sleep it can’t be beat, and many even have breakfast included.
I would also like to add that my
train travel companions were exemplary.
Ed, a fitness trainer for the Tottenham football team – an intelligent,
handsome, muscular fellow, and Katrina, a bright, extremely pretty English rose
who works for Sky television were great travel companions. Thank you both.
Because I arrived so late to my
evening digs, I was late picking up my rental car, and because the Newcastle
metro line to the airport was under repair, I had to find the location of the
shuttle bus to the airport. But
never mind, it was a pleasant walk (no knickers for sale on the way-drat!) and
with the kind help of passersby and Rachael from my night’s digs, I arrived at
the bus just in time.
As for the car, I had hired a
standard shift and although I have one at home, after driving it around the
parking lot I found that the thought of having to deal with the Round Abouts
and reading the signs as I went, as well as constantly remembering when to
shift, I might do better with an automatic. So at double the price I got this lovely little Audi and I
am a much happier and safer driver.
Even with the map given to me by
the rental company (I have an excellent road map of GB in my lost luggage), I
had to stop an ask people directions now and then to get to my destination,
Nenthead, Cambria, the highest village in England where my dear friend Carol
has bought a really lovely house and renovated it into a magnificent home on
the moors which overlooks the beautiful vast valleys and hillsides of the
area.
Surprised I had finally arrived,
Carol and I did a lot of catching up, and after a great dinner, a tiring but
very enjoyable evening walk, I rinsed out my knickers and snuggled down in my
bed to a good and toasty snooze in this coldest village in England. With morning tea and flowers served at
my bedside, all is well except for my missing suitcase and having to wear damp
undies (two days into my trip and not found) and the fact that Carol has
awakened with a sore throat and cold.
Not that too! Protect Me
Universe!
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