Globetrotting Tigers: Monday March 24, 2014

Debbie and David freezing as they pose at the stones

Today was a day of discovery. Not only did we visit Stonehenge, we learned more and more about bus routes and how you transfer one to the next. The former was far more exciting than the latter.

Fun Friends

To our delight, Jose and Emparo decided to book at the last minute the tour to Stonehenge. We so enjoy the two of them; they are so expressive, engaging, and fun. Boarding the bus, Jose (a school bus driver in Fort Lauderdale) sat down in the driver’s seat and welcomed every passenger aboard – most thought he was the actual driver and were amazed at his good cheer as they made their way to the back of the bus; he spoke loudly and with a huge smile on his face to every one of them. The real bus driver had met the four of us before boarding and was aware of his high energy and good cheer, thus he allowed him to take center stage.

Only a few passengers, I think they were Germans, were not impressed; no problem they don’t seem to smile at anything. At any rate, I must say I have never laughed so spontaneously and long as I watched (and took pictures with his camera) the expressions of people as they came aboard. It was great fun to be with them yesterday, and today as well. They put everyone at ease and a smile on their faces; what a gift! They are great travelling companions.

Once out of London, which took forever, the topography of the hinterland mirrors that of the flattest prairies in Kansas. Fortunately about 40-50 miles North, rolling hills similar to yesterday surfaced. Signs of spring were everywhere. Yellow, red, pink, green, and other colors painted a picture for all to enjoy. We can only hope that the same is taking place back in Missouri. We heard that more snow was again falling in Columbia, Missouri, so remaining here sounds good. The Brits tell us that the United Kingdom has experienced one of its mildest winters ever; go figure!

As we approached Stonehenge to our utter amazement it suddenly appeared about 300 yards from the road in the middle of clear land atop one of the higher rolling hills. And yes, it was so strange to see these huge boulders in what seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. As we disembarked the bus and circled the stones erected circa de 2500 BC, both Debbie and I thought of the pyramids in Egypt. Not only were we viewing ancient monuments, there appeared to be no real effort to protect them – a small rope to keep people a little distance away was a good thing, and being able to walk completely around the circle of stones was nice, but the whole operation seemed slipshod; put together too quickly to cash in on the many tourists to the site. Nearby sheep grazed lazily and the smell of them was strong indeed.

On this day, with no trees to block the wind, it cut through clothing, threatened frozen fingers and hands not covered, and those without head gear (luckily I had worn a hoodie sweatshirt) turned as red as a fire engine. Nevertheless, the circle of stones following the movements of the sun and marking the solstices of nature, hold your attention and awe.

Farmers began to work the land around 3700 BC and began to construct areas for the burying of their dead. It appears that Stonehenge was indeed a monument capturing the power of the sun as a means of renewing life. The size of them (massive and many more than 20-30 feet high) is baffling; no rocks in the area come close to replicating them. At any rate once erected, evidence shows that these early people of the Bronze Age held festivals that drew people from hundreds of miles away, and Stonehenge was clearly a meeting place for them. I urge you to read more online about this fascinating wonder of the world.

Returning to London about 2:00pm, Debbie and I set out to take a couple of buses back to our hotel. Unfortunately the C2 took a different route than expected and we ended up too far north. The good news was the discovery of bus 31, although going in the wrong direction on a one-way street we nevertheless boarded it to its termination and then re-boarded to go in the opposite direction. It took some time, but it worked. I must admit that Debbie figured out the maze long before I did, in fact that perhaps deserves some discussion.

I shamelessly admit, and Debbie will agree, that I was her mentor with regard to teaching all the tricks of the trade when it comes to traveling in strange countries in different parts of the world. It seems that the novice has become a master, and the master has returned to being a novice; the word “role-reversal” comes to mind.

Transitioning to a former role, especially when times have changed so dramatically over the years, is difficult emotionally. I suppose the hardest part is admitting that indeed something has been lost; something has changed, or at least is in the process of changing. I am not the master I once was when it comes to traveling; Debbie can now claim that role.

We both feel it is a combination of three major factors and can be expressed in this way:

Chemo + Radiation + Aging = Role Reversal

It did indeed start with what we alluded to as my “chemo brain” during and after those nasty chemicals (6 treatments); was heightened by recent radiation (20 treatments); and then further convoluted by the on-going process of aging (72 years April 2^nd). Or, I would like to believe, that Debbie simply passed me and went from “master” to “expert.”

Speaking of birthdays, when I arrive home I hope to be awake long enough to attend the monthly AA meeting at which anniversary medallions are awarded. It is the same night that we arrive back in Columbia. It is special; I will be celebrating 30 years of sobriety. Perhaps admitting I was powerless over alcohol thirty years ago and everyday since can motivate me to accept that I am also powerless over some of these memory lapses and move on to more important things. We shall see.

Starved, Debbie and I finally reach our hotel but first take a shortcut to a small, locally owned grocery store. Crackers, cheese, salsa, and soda save the day. We gorge ourselves back at the Marriott hoping it doesn’t spoil our dinner.

It doesn’t; we again return to our favorite Pasticcio’s restaurant. We are treated as regulars. Tomorrow we can sleep late; hallelujah!