Waiting for those trains that just never come...

Well, not never. Edinburgh was lovely! Chilly, but lovely. I took the 10am train on friday, and arrived just in time to do a little casual shoe shopping at my favorite store. My friends picked me up, and we had a nice dinner with some other friends. I was nodding off pretty severely by 11:30, and went to bed shortly thereafter. *AND SLEPT UNTIL 3PM!!!* I couldn't believe it. I slept for 15 hours straight. I definitely wish I had brought my alarm clock, but I planned on them waking me, or waking up on my own around 10 or 11. So the day was mostly gone by the time i showered and everything. Me and Tim headed out to the modern art gallery, which was awesome. I had never been to see modern art before, and it's way more interactive and interesting and thought-provoking. There was an exhibit with two screens, one showing a man and another a woman, both naked with plastic bags over their heads. The plastic moved in and out with their breathing, and there was even sound to go with it. It kind of freaked me out, and we kept expecting something to happen, but nothing did after a few minutes, so we left.

That evening we ate a quick dinner (pasta with tomato, mushroom, onion, pepperoni and sauce) and had some other friends over. We set off the leftover Guy Fawkes fireworks. Watching Tim and Henry, both 30 year old boys-at-heart with fireworks reminded me of my little brother. Every time henry would light one he would sprint away giggling and hide behind someone. He was funnier to watch than the fireworks! We then watched Ice Age (very very funny), then called it a night.

The next morning we went to Kidschurch. Citylife ministries runs the kidschurch program, and works with inner-city kids, and the reason why I knew all these people is from volunteering there this summer. It was awesome to see everyone again, all the little kids waved and pointed at me and wanted me to sit beside them. I got to help with the program and be the "prize spy" to look for the kids that were the most well-behaved and pick two to award prizes to... It was great. Fiona made me come help them with music at the last minute, which was interesting to say the least. They handed me a guitar and a headset mic and I had to wrack my brain for the words and chords! But it went well, and the kids didn't notice my glaring errors. And, i must admit, it was nice to play again. It's been awhile...

Sunday I hopped the 3:55 back to London. I have never been on a nastier train in my life--toilets overflowing with human waste, greasy spots on the windows, smelly people. I didn't drink anything in hopes that I wouldn't have to use the toilet, but I did once anyways. I had to pull my shirt up over my nose because the stench in the bathroom was so bad! The train pulled into Kings Cross, and then I had to catch the Tube to Paddington, but the Hammersmith and City line was down, so I had to make my way there using a different route. But it was fun to figure it out on my own, and I like riding the Tube (I know, I know, what's wrong with me?!) There were four drunk thirtysomething blokes that hit on my because of my tongue piercing, inquiring as to the benefits thereof. I didn't really think my sex life was up for discussion, but it's kind of nice to be hit one when they are good-natured and not in my personal space, and these guys kept a respectful distance. They invited me for drinks, but I had a train to catch :-)

Ends up that I could have had a drink with them anyways, since the 21:43 to Oxford was more than thirty minutes late. But I enjoyed sitting in the station and eating a chicken whopper and listening to Counting Crows, so it worked out. When I got back, I worked on and finished my paper and didn't get to bed until almost 7am. Therefore, I slept all day, and have only been up since 4. I hope I can get to sleep tonight without too much trouble!

posted @ 11/18/2002 10:02:00 PM 0 comments