Adventures Away

"Whenever I get gloomy about the state of the world, I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport." 

This quote, the opening line of Love Actually, is very near and dear to my heart.  Hugh Grant, the actor who speaks these words, is talking about how the arrivals gate at Heathrow is an example as to how the world is still full of love:

"General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."

I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow with a the same reverence, but a somewhat different feeling:

Independence. Freedom.
 
In August 2003, I boarded a Virgin Atlantic flight that whisked me straight away to Heathrow airport.  I was all by myself, I had never been to the UK before, and I didn't know how to get a train or bus to Wales.  But I wasn't scared.  And I did it.  It really wasn't that hard, and even though I thought it was a bit stupid that my new friends kept telling me how brave I was for doing it, I was proud of myself.  After years of High School with various people telling me I couldn't do things: couldn't pass my driver's test, couldn't drive in the city, couldn't afford college, couldn't get that scholarship, couldn't afford to study abroad, I did it.  And I met a whole new group of people who saw me in a totally different light.

So when I start to feel trapped in my world: whether by my own doing or by forces beyond my control, I think of the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport.  I think of the exhilarating feeling of traveling alone.  I think of fulfilling life long goals.  I think of my home away from home.  I think of the delicious, indescribable feeling that simple differences in the UK give me: driving on the left side of the road, accents that make my heart smile, and the way British TV shows look just a little bit different than American ones.

And I feel a little less gloomy.

And in this particular case, I also booked a flight.  : )

That's right, my dear readers.  I am going to visit my honorary homeland (and my sweetheart) once again.  I am leaving half way through August, and I will be gone for two months.  But don't fret!  I will be working from Wales, so you will still get your regular bowl of Cereals.  The milk will just taste a littler different (better, actually).

I hope you will continue to follow me while I am away.  I'll still be following you! : )