Monday, 5 November 2007

The Commute Part 2 (SS)



I am always fascinated at the amount of opportunity we have in our lives. We can choose to live so many different ways. "The Commute" is a short series I have written in order to provide a stark contrast in how we choose to live our lives by comparing something as simple as our commute to work; something we do not always see as being significant. If you haven’t already done so, I would therefore recommend you read “The Commute” posted earlier in conjunction with this posting (see July 2007 archive).


London, England

Tube doors open and I stumble out, clutching my purse at my side. My eyes quickly scan right, left, forward, and back, as I weave my way through the crowded platform in an attempt to find the “Way Out.” I am constantly bumped one way and then the next as I ricochet off the masses. We are like a stream of fish swirling toward the escalator with seemingly no end. I finally reach the top, pull out my Oyster card, swipe it through the turnstyles, take a quick right, down the stairs, quick left, and then step out into the cool crisp autumn evening air, sucking it in with full and welcoming breaths.

My steps fall into the rhythm of the music playing on my ipod as I begin my trek home. I pass the Tower of London, spectacularly lit, and walk onto the Tower Bridge. I had a long day and was looking forward to getting home as quickly as possible. However, halfway across the Tower Bridge, I was stopped. They were raising the draw bridge. Already, several dozen tourists were crammed up toward the middle, their cameras flashing as the draw bridge slowly raised.

I stood in awe watching as this ancient (by American standards) gorgeous Tower Bridge drew up to an almost vertical angle, the sheer impact of its undertaking, beauty, and history overwhelmed me. An old classic, wooden sailboat glided underneath the bridge. Once clear, the draw bridge slowly lowered into its original position.

Gates then opened and I resumed my earlier pace and continued my commute. Once home, I collapsed into bed, then rose the next day to do it all over.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


Disclaimer of liability
As with all American things, I would like to direct your attention to the following disclaimer of liability prior to your reading of this blog.

#1: Please be aware that I write these posts keeping in mind that others may read them, and therefore try (key word "try") to make them somewhat entertaining. Therefore, while it is all true, I tend to put a very sarcastic twist on most of it, as is my nature. So, please do not find any offense to the following posts. If you do, then maybe we shouldn't be friends.

#2: For those of you who know me well, I have the attention span of a three-year old child and a pinball machine for a mind. I apologize in advance if I jump from one thought and/or event to the next. Please bear with me.

#3: For those of you who don't know me well, I really am a nice person..or so some tell me. So I hope I do not come across a bit strong. But do you really want to read a blog with the following: Today I took an airplane to Costa Rica. The woman I sat next to on the plane was very nice. We had an interesting conversation. The rainforests we drove through to the place I was staying were very beautiful. I am teaching at a school in Costa Rica. The children I work with are really great. Get the point?

#4: Yes, I do work. But I don't think you want to hear about my typical day of waking up at 5:30am going to work, sitting in front of a laptop for 12 hours doing very boring things, going to the gym, and then going to bed..often in a lonely hotel room, now do you?

#5 My intention of these posts is not to brag about all the places I have been. Believe me, living a nomadic lifestyle is a bit exhausting and often times I am even envious of those friends who are a bit more settled with their homes, friends, families, significant other, etc. In the journey of life, there are many paths to follow, and it is a good thing we do not all take the same one. Always keep in mind, the grass is always greener on the other side.I am therefore not liable for any offense taken.I hope you enjoy