London Calling . . . Part Deux

Well, here I am back where it all began. I arrived about an hour later than planned due to some control tower issue at Berlin Schonfeld Airport. The pilot also warned us that the takeoff would be rough due to the poor condition of the runway - of course I found this as reassuring as when the dentist says - "this is only going to hurt a little". The airport used to be in East Berlin and has not gotten a lot of upgrades since the end of the Cold War.

Anyway, I am back in London and at the same hell hole of a hostel as my first stay. I am actually retyping this blog post from memory as the computer kicked me out right as I tried to upload my post. I can't complain though as I was scamming some free time from the prior user rather than use the one hour pass that I purchased - a very bad idea since an hour would have been more than enough. You can all be happy though as I was finishing my post by "waxing philosophical" about my thirty-day journey.

I am glad to be returning home tomorrow and look forward to a shower and a good nights sleep in my bed. As with everything else, though, it will be bitter sweet. I feel like I rushed through this trip and was only able to spend brief periods with each of my old friends (and the new ones I encountered). With a little effort I hope these friendships will grow and last for years to come. All are invited to come and visit me in America. Likewise, I have been invited by Till, Julia, and Till's family to come spend the Christmas holidays with them in the Black Forest. This sounds very appealing and a magical place to spend Christmas.

I learned a lot on this trip and at times needed to be McGyver like resourceful. I had my head slammed in a bus door, got lost more times than I can even count, and avoided disaster one night when I was lost and ended up sliding into an asphalt version of third base (hands first). The scars are mostly healed by now but the memory (what little there is) will last for a long time.

There were times of great joy coupled with times of sadness, loneliness, and isolation. Some of the sites I visited were exciting and beautiful while others (Auschwitz and a Polish war museum) brought sadder emotions. I am thrilled to have visited old friends again and for making new one's along the way. This will not be my last visit to Europe. There is much to see and experience yet and, of course friendships to nurture.

It's late (1:20 AM), I need to be up early for a long day of travel, and this internet room at the hostel is not a very peaceful place. I am saying goodnight and goodbye from London.

Caio,

Timaaay