Travel day – The walk

A bumpy ride

«I never thought we would make it to this day…»

«Well, we’re not on the plane yet:»

It has been a journey full of obstacles. Not on the plane. Before this day.

Our British Airways flight is very smooth. As I write this we are 45 minutes from London.

Obstacles involved family illnesses, the imminent arrival of a little sister for our granddaughter, problems with pets, a leak in the roof…

We had a record storm in October. A torrent gushed into the house, running through the walls and floor.

A slow trickle behind the walls over time helped create the perfect internal storm. The drywall was removed (oh irony). Black mold. It is quite a feat to grow anything in the desert. We are winners.

We have also surpassed the achievements achieved. The water heater failed while we were cleaning the mold infested place.

It’s doubly fun to transmit two different claim numbers to insurance, both related to flooding. Water, water everywhere.

And asbestos in the laundry room where the water heater relieved itself. Not a drop to drink.

And yet, providentially, here we are. Boarded. We moved to a line for two people. We are not looking for first class beds. We are not made of money.

Separation

We are two seats behind the curtains that separate us from first class. We have a vision of a better life. But there is no access.

Curtain pieces only for food carts. A sign tells us that our bathrooms are behind us. We will not pass. This little slight doesn’t really bother me. But it does make me think about much more important issues.

I smile to myself. It’s Easter weekend. Good Friday, actually. Now there is no separation between us and God. The veil is torn.

I miss being in church on Good Friday and Easter. But gratitude and worship are not limited to buildings or rituals. I say a silent prayer of gratitude.

Free stuff!

The benefits of British Airlines delight and amuse me. Free orange juice in glass glasses. (A joke for Boomers. “DO for free!”)

A package with a small baby toothpaste and a brush. So beautiful. I can stretch the toothpaste. I am frugal. And lip ointment. How thoughtful!

Hot towels!

Cloth napkins, (metal) cutlery, small removable trays and too many to list! And it’s all free!

Wales forever

So here we are, back to Wales. We have walked here before, driven by my love of the country, which began when I spent a month in Wales at university, studying the Welsh poets. Gerard Manley Hopkins. Dylan Thomas. It was glorious.

Back then, in the early 1980s, there was a drive to preserve Welsh culture and heritage. Welsh would be incorporated into schools, signage, etc. It was controversial.

The most extreme defenders of the Welsh movement advocated complete independence from Great Britain. Their motto was (and is) «Cymru am byth», a passionate Welsh phrase meaning «Wales forever» or «Long live Wales», symbolizing national pride, identity and resilience. It is pronounced «come ree am-bith.» I have a pin with the flag of Wales, a red dragon on a green and white background and «Cymru am byth». I’m that nervous.

Later, for my linguistics class at university, I wrote confidently that the Welsh language push would fail as, unlike English, Welsh is not the language of commerce and multicultural communication. He had all the confidence of a twenty-something. I was mostly wrong. (But mostly wrong is partly right, right?) More on that later.

Blue water and green grasses

I love Wales. I especially love the Welsh coast with its vast, majestic cliffs and sweeping ocean views.

I love its lush green pastures dotted with wool-laden sheep and scampering lambs. Grasses often reach the edge of ocean cliffs. Do sheep appreciate living on waterfront property?

old and new

I love its old buildings.

The ruined castles are completely accessible. Visitors can climb narrow stone stairs and look through arched openings in the walls. The worn steeples of stone churches watch over each city. And various wild flowers, mainly dandelions, sprout on the walls of the castle and the church.

This juxtaposition of the ancient stillness of the past and the vibrant, living present fills me with reverence and wonder. There is great value in knowing the history of a place along its own shores.

And that’s where we will be. Along the Welsh coast. I am looking forward to this walking trip. It seems that it may happen after all.

We have landed.

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