Monday, January 30, 2012

Last London Post

Wow.  It's finally here.  I remember when I realized that my departure from London was six months away.  Now it has come so quickly!

I've done almost all of those last minute things.  Two suitcases are packed, both skimming just under the 23 kg limit. The third suitcase should also be under, but I still need to throw the last few items in (and possibly sit on it to close it).  I really hope my scale is correct.

I just came back from taking the last few items to a charity shop and took out money to pay for my extra bags.  I also bought a few Crunchie bars for Jeremy and Amy, who are both fans.  I took the bus home, using the last of the money on my Oyster card.  Now all that is left is to sweep and mop and dust my room.  In the morning, I will need to toss my sheet and duvet cover in the wash.  Paul is picking me up at some ridiculously early hour, and then we'll be off to Heathrow.

I still remember leaving to come here with absolute clarity.  Mom and Dad were overseas, so Joy and Aunt Jackie and  Haven drove me down to Dulles.  Joy and I took Patches down to the farm, we packed up Aunt Jackie's vehicle, and we drove to D.C.  Spoiling us as always, Aunt Jackie got us Starbucks.  I still have some of those pictures from February 2009:





When I arrived in London, bleary eyed but excited, Jay, Val, and Carmen met me with a "Welcome Home" sign.  We piled into Jay's car and they took me a zig zag tour of West London as we tried to find somewhere to get a proper English breakfast.  Between the lack of vegetarian options in an English breakfast and just having been awake all night, I think I had coffee and toast!  

Now, a few days shy of an exact three years later, I'm headed back to the airport.  We'll have our traditional breakfast send off after I check my bags, and then I'll be on my way, this time flying west.  I'm looking forward to the hugs at the end of the journey.

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