Day 11: City of Strangers

The English countryside is everything I ever hoped it would be... a sprawling patchwork quilt, made up of different colored greens and yellows, patched together with hedges and trees. I tried to take pictures from the tour bus window, but the perfect image eluded me. It is impossible to capture the catch in your breath as you round a bend and see your first field absolutely covered in bright sunshine yellow, or the magnificence of fresh green rolling hills, or the mystery of a blanket of bluebells beneath a patch of trees.

I needed a bus ride today. A long, relaxing, sleep filled bus ride. (I seem to have caught a little cold). And, luckily, that's exactly what I got. After a frustrating night of little sleep and no comfort, a shower that was at first FREEZING and then scalding hot, and a rush to Earl's Court Station, I stepped onto an Anderson Tour bus and made myself at home.

We did have some trouble with the "screen-wiper", but other than that it was smooth sailing all the way to Bath. And our tour guide was immensely helpful and, (I might add), adorable. The first stop of the day was the Roman Bath Houses. Even as I stood there, feeling the steam from the mineral filled, greenish water, I couldn't believe I was actually there. I stood on stones the Roman's built. I examined their architecture first hand, their ingenuity, their artistry... I was there! (But just wait, the day only gets better).

After that, we trapsed up and down the sloping streets of the city, admiring the decorative buildings, all made from bath stone, and wondering at the uniformity. (Quite different from the hodge podge of old and new here in London).

And in the midst of getting lost trying to find a cornish pasty (meat pie) shop, we stumbled upon a hidden marketplace. And boy, was that a lucky find! There were free samples of local fudge, bread, jam, ice cream, beer, cheese, crepes, and countless other delicious things! (Don't worry, we didn't try the beer). And after that little adventure, we found our way back to the bus.

Then it was off to Stonehenge. Yes. Really. The pile of rocks averaging 25 tons in weight, 18 feet in height, arranged into circular formations around 2000 BC, located in the north of Salisbury England, and being one of the seven wonders of the world. THAT Stonehenge. Ha! I was... feet away from it. This absolutely ancient arrangement of stone that has mystified us for years. [Sigh]... Amazing.



The busride home was relaxing. I learned a little more about the countryside from our guide, and even saw the UK residence of Jane Seymore! (Yes, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman). It was pretty much a castle.

And then we were home again. London.

We headed to Tesco, (the grocery store), to do some quick shopping. And I began to notice how grumpy London can get on a Saturday night. People were rushing to various places, pushing their way through others, and making irritable comments right and left. I wondered what was happening in their lives on this Saturday night... were they headed to a party? A date? Were they rushing home to eat a long needed meal, or grabbing a bite before going back to work to meet a deadline?

As we sat on the bus with our groceries, the man across from us began asking if anyone knew where the gay bar in Soho was. He was clearly lost. And clearly disconcerted. There was something a little amiss in his mental or social capacities, and he didn't have a map, or an adress. He just kept saying, "Soho. Soho. The gay bar in Soho. Do you know Soho?" ... And the woman next to him, a young, pretty girl who certainly had other things to do, quietly, patiently began to talk him through his predicament. She walked him to the front of the bus, and asked the driver a couple questions. And then, I watched in disbelief as she walked him off the bus, and continued to reassure him.

The last image I saw as the bus pulled away was the man, tearfully giving this kind woman a hug, and saying "Thank You".

In this city of strangers, where people walk with their eyes averted and their heads turned, this woman surprised me. She displayed such patience and love, completely unrequired and surely inconvenient. And it is something I'll never forget.