8/19-8/22: Bristol, England

Ginetta in Bristol, England

I met Ginetta twice in India - first in Pushkar, Rajasthan in November, and then again three months later in Southern India in Hampi, Karnataka. So I thought it would be a good way to end my trip - visiting an old friend. And it was.

Bristol train station

Bristol is two hours directly west of London, near the west coast of England. The town was listed in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of 1051 CE, though there is evidence of human activity in the area from as far back as 60,000 years, during the Palaeolithic era. The city prospered on the trade of slavery (during the height of the slave trade, more than 2,000 slaving ships were fitted out at Bristol between 1700 and 1807), tobacco, and piracy. though piracy was illegal, privateering was not. (Privateers had a "letter of Marque" from the government, allowing them to attack and steal from merchant ships of certain countries.) The famous pirate, Blackbeard, was born in Bristol. Many important voyages exploring the world started in Bristol, notably John Cabot's 1497 voyage of the exploration to North America.

Vegetable market and street scene in Clifton, the "up-scale" area of Bristol

In an old cemetery

Bristol Cathedral - originally known as the Abbey of Saint Augustine, was founded in 1140CE, and constructed over a period of 700 years.

Also Bristol Cathedral

St Mary Redcliffe Church - construction started in the 12th century CE and completed in the 15th century, has a height of 292 feet (about 90 meters) - the third tallest English church. Queen Elizabeth described it as "the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England."

Due to damage during WWII, much of the original stain glass has been replaced.

Royal York Crescent - "the longest crescent in Europe, or maybe in the world," say Ginetta. "Or maybe not."

Walking the streets of Bristol, an old private school in the background

The "world famous" (according to the Bristol tourist guide)Clifton Suspension Bridge, crossing the Avon Gorge, designed by the Victorian engineer Isambard Brunel, built in 1864.

View of the River Avon and the Avon Gorge from the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Sailing in the harbor area on a Saturday

Scenic Bristol's rivers and canals

Many people live on these house boats, and can explore much of the area through the rivers and canals

Peter, Ginetta's cat - my second "cat friend" on this trip. Peter would sleep with me on Ginetta's couch

Quote from Wild Comfort, p. 68: ""'Those who dwell . . . among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone . . .' (Rachel Carson) . . . There are no edges in this world. The water, the snow, the bear, the memory of the blackbird, the urgent growth of the lily are all one beautiful, mysterious thing, and we are part of that one thing. How, then, can we ever be alone."

The end: It was really fun hanging out with Ginetta for three days, meeting her friends (all of them artists of some sort - painters, musicians, song writers), and going for walks through the beautiful city of Bristol. On my last evening of this year sabbatical, I went with Ginetta to a dinner party at Angie's house. Angie asked me what was my favorite place that I visited, and I couldn't come up with one. Thinking back, I realize now that more important than the places I went were the people I met. Their open hearts touched my heart, becoming part of who I am. I am thankful for the time I have had this year, to connect - heart to heart - to so many good people.

8/22 - A very long day: It started at 2:30AM, catching a bus from Bristol to Heathrow airport. My flight from London to Denver (to visit my parents) went through Madrid and then Chicago. The first leg out of Heathrow Airport was delayed, creating quite a rush in Madrid to catch my international flight to the States. I ran through the airport to my gate, arriving during "last call." Then the flight to Chicago was also late in departing, so that I was met as I exited the plane and given an "express connection" pass, rushing me through customs and security at Chicago's O'Hare airport so I could be at the gate on time for my flight to Denver. Then there was a bus from Denver's airport to Cold Springs, where my sister Amy picked me up. All in all, it took exctly 24 hours, door-to-door.

And here I am, back in America. To tell the truth, it still feels just like traveling - new place, new people, new culture.

Quote from Wild Comfort, p. 69-70: ""I am sure of this much, that Earth lights these small signal fires - not for us, but among us - and we can find them if we look. If we are not afraid, if we can keep our balance, if we let our anxious selves dissolve into the beauties and mysteries of the night, we will find a way to peace and assurance. Signal fires burn all over the land."

Last foreign personal reflection: As I feel my sense of reality dissolve around me, have faith that there are "signal fires" all around me and within me. Nothing dies, just dissolves and reforms into something else. My responsibility is to take each step into the fog consciously, with as much self awareness as I am, with my senses and my heart wide open to appreciate the beauties and mysteries all around me, within me.