UK Trip-Days One & Two

I suppose I should begin recounting my trip on the day that I actually left (Day One), rather than the day I arrived (Day Two), not that anything exciting really happens until the end of Day Two, when I finally reach Edinburgh.

So, my lesbian wife took me to the airport here in the Gate City. Of course, the airport here is minute and the two hour window for international flights makes no sense. But it was lunch time and could fit into her schedule better that way, I suppose.

Anyway, the airport was dead on that Monday afternoon. I mean dead. At least when I first arrived. About thirty minutes before my flight to Newark, things began to pick up at the gate, but the flight was far from full. The flight was uneventful and I got to Newark with a few hours to kill. I had brought Bleak House to finish reading on the trip, which didn't happen. I did read it whilst traveling there, but had something else to read on the way back.

I'm not a fan of the Newark airport. The international terminal is better than terminal A, where all of the little domestic flights leave. I got a slice of pizza as I was starving and even though I would be having dinner on the flight to Bristol later. But I had had nothing to eat that day (thanks, Greensboro airport) and was famished. As an aside, one of my personal goals for the next two years in C-ville, which I will write more about soon, is to get my disordered eating under control.

Anyway, Newark is sucky and I was ready to get on the plane and be on my way. I had brought with me the same travel journal I had taken on my previous trip. On that first day, I wrote a lot about how really different everything was this go-round, even though it had only been two years. My life has changed a lot in that space of time. I mean, I was traveling three days after graduation, with graduate school done and dusted and a new position on the horizon. But despite all of the change in the past two years, I had a feeling that once I was in the UK, I would feel at home, all would be familiar, and my friends and I would pick up right where we left off.

The plane from Newark to Bristol was bigger than last time, with more leg room and an entertainment system for each seat, which was nice. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix whilst I noshed on my vegetarian meal, an acceptable curry. After the movie, I tried getting some sleep, knowing I had a long day ahead of me once I landed.

Breakfast on the plane was a warm croissant, and then we were there 45 minutes early. Now, if I were being met at the gate in Bristol, this might have caused a problem. But as it was Tuesday morning and the Irish lass had to work, it was not a problem at all. See, I had booked an EasyJet flight to Edinburgh for that afternoon. Unfortunately, there wasn't a flight available until 4:00pm, and it was now 9:00am.

I had thought of taking the train, even though I know it's a long haul. But at least during all of that waiting time I would have been going somewhere. ps. You don't want to spend the majority of the day in the Bristol airport, believe me. It's not very big, and there's not a lot of shopping or food options.

I found a seat and sat, writing for a while, reading for a while, listening to the iPod. Various and sundry Europeans would come and sit next to me, reminding me of the different concept of personal space in Europe versus America. They had computers with internet access (10 minutes for £1), so I could email Big Mama and let her know that I had arrived safely. I had a Diet Coke, because, again, nothing really suitable for lunch in either the lobby or departure lounge. After endless hours, with a long wait at the gate, I was finally aboard my flight and on my way to Edinburgh. I was anxious, excited, and nervous. I had only met Minge the one time on the previous trip, and had never met his partner Phyllis.

I should never have been worried at all. I was met at the baggage claim in Edinburgh by two handsome men, with hugs and kisses. This was just the beginning of their gracious and warm hospitality. Minge was just as he had been (except for the beard) and Phyllis was ever so dishy in a suit, having just finished with work. We were soon off in the car for a quick trip round the city on the way to their home, which Brian has named Chez Gay.

My guest room was so comfortable and well turned out, with the most marvellous bed. The pair made delicious homemade pizzas for dinner, topped with rocket and a balsamic reduction. There were homemade custard cremes waiting as well, along with an exceptional gin and tonic. After dinner and conversation, I gave out the prezzies I had brought over for the two of them and the wee, dear dogs. Minge and I made a plan for the following day, and we were off to bed soon enough, all of us knackered. The bed was a dream and I fell soundly asleep.