The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.Augustine
One of the many quotes written in my travel journal for inspiration as I traveled to England once again. Not that I need much inspiration, for going to England is one of the greatest enjoyments of my life. Such quotes as these simply fuel the already blazing fire that continues to blast me off across the pond, and here is the record of my third time landing there.
England in my experience is the land that Western history is made of. I mean, you can't even just turn around without seeing a historical landmark. It is also the land where manners and politeness seem to come from - its people are helpful, considerate, unobtrusive and any other word synonymous with politeness. It may be only cultural sometimes, yet one cannot help but enjoy a culture where someone says "Sorry" when you're in their way.
That is why I love to travel there (and would live there if I could, but let's save that discussion for another day). But why I traveled there this time needs a very brief bit of explanation.
It was to participate in the graduation ceremony of the University of London International Programme. I had the privilege (and challenge) of going through their BA English program. I finished a year ago, and ever since I've known that I successfully passed my tests, my mom and I have been planning this trip - because we are not ones to pass up an opportunity of going to England...
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Thursday, March 4: From Sacramento to LAX to London Gatwick
"'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.' Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread.
I have taken the first bite of my toffee peanut butter Cliff Bar, and it reminds me that I am actually going to the land of toffee nut lattes - right now. And an inward spring of excitement wells up inside! Of course, those may be out of season, but there's sure to be some special and delicious flavor that can't be found at home.
Home. That is what put Pippin's song into my head - only my paths will supposedly be much more pleasant to tread than Faramir's. :) Anyway, we're on the first leg, which really feels like a mere nothing compared to the ten hour flight that is coming. We actually have an entire row to ourselves! Our window seat is now occupied by our coat and sweater bundles. Mom got creative, tying her coat round her sweater, making a sort of pillow, so I followed suit. We've had no hitches, even though we opted out of the scanner to be patted down. Darrelyn drove us, and we arrived in plenty of time.
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| Leaving Sacramento! |
(11:42 AM) And boy, have we come far! With only half an hour left! I can't wait to see London. I have never loved any place as I love that city. It is the city of my mind; my mind feels at home there. And we are so close! In L.A. I felt like my history belonged there, in part, with so many trips to Disneyland and girl trips with friends. But I don't in any way feel at home there.
We had to go through security again, after walking across the enormous cavernous check-in area three times to get our actual boarding passes (because of course Norwegian is at the far end...). But we had plenty of time! In front of us was a young couple that sounded like they were from the north of England. :)
Once we passed through security we entered what looked like a different airport: everything new and very sophisticated, except that it was just as cavernous as the first part. Filled with high-end shops and big digital screens it was eye-catching, especially the eight tall thin panels we passed that changed country themes ever few minutes; I saw Russia, Santiago, Tokyo and London.
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| The fancy digital panels with their LONDON theme! |
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| Our Jetson chairs at LAX |
We found some Jetsons-style chairs in a lounge area by a window for our second lunch, around 4:00, and called home and posted on Facebook. :) We got to board right after all the special needs passengers because at Norwegian they do things sensibly, in my opinion, by letting those in the back board first. Mom sacrificed herself to the middle seat, but at least it was a very quiet young man in the window seat 'keeping himself to himself,' as they say.
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| On our way! |
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| Norwegian Airlines Dreamliner |
Prepare for landing! It is unreal. I think we both slept for a while - no idea how long. I fell asleep to my 'North & South' soundtrack, after finishing Georgette Heyer's Sylvester read by Richard Armitage. :) Quite excellent. Oh, and we are on a 787 Dreamliner! And have touched down! :)
'Welcome to London.'"
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| Our first picture of London town. |
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If you have any questions about our trip, such as the more practical details, please don't hesitate to comment!
© 2015 Anna Morton
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