Imagine yourself looking down upon Earth from the infinite depths of the universe, watching that beautiful blue and white swirled marble spin slowly in timeless everlasting darkness. Approach closer, pick a random spot on that planet and now imagine it expand a hundred-fold. You may see war, famine, deserts, mountains, wild animals, plush forests, snowy rivers, and calm lagoons. Now spin the globe around. Planes are flying through the skies, touching down at various airports around the world. Ships are sailing with their cargo to different ports to unload. Dolphins are leaping through the seas, going to wherever their fancy takes them.
In the two weeks gone by, two planes touched down in Prague, carrying very special people who matter in my life. Two people who came especially to see me and I thank my stars and the universe, for having them in my life. Sometimes I feel like such a selfish person and I wonder, how is it that people like them know me and more importantly, like me?
The first plane that touched down arrived from England. As I hovered about anxiously in the waiting area, a face appeared, a flash of teeth and a hand wave. Mar had arrived! Mar, my bestie from England. We had first met in the university dorms in Reading, when she and I were clamouring for refrigerator space in the dining room. We introduced ourselves and generously split one fridge shelf between ourselves. Fast forward a couple of days, it was cold and raining. I had a chicken stew bubbling on the stove for dinner and as I wandered back into the kitchen to retrieve my yummy meal, I spotted Mar who had the sniffles, eating toast by the window. I have no grudge against toast for dinner of course, but on that occasion, I felt it was wrong on so many levels. Thinking she'd be polite and refuse anyway, nevertheless I asked her, "Do you want some chicken stew?" Mar looked me square in the eyes and replied in her strong voice, "Yes." Thus began a great friendship. :)
Even though we hadn't seen each other in almost 7 years, it felt as if we'd never been apart. I guess with great friends, it never feels as if they ever left your side. We spoke, spoke more, and didn't stop until sleep called us. We also walked about Prague, shivered our butts off because it was cold and foggy and uh ... yes, we hit the gay bar. I'm not sure what I was expecting to see but the dance floor was so packed that it was impossible to do any bumping and grinding. Still, we had a great time and it was with deep pangs of sadness that I watched her fade into the darkness of the metro tunnel.
The first plane that touched down arrived from England. As I hovered about anxiously in the waiting area, a face appeared, a flash of teeth and a hand wave. Mar had arrived! Mar, my bestie from England. We had first met in the university dorms in Reading, when she and I were clamouring for refrigerator space in the dining room. We introduced ourselves and generously split one fridge shelf between ourselves. Fast forward a couple of days, it was cold and raining. I had a chicken stew bubbling on the stove for dinner and as I wandered back into the kitchen to retrieve my yummy meal, I spotted Mar who had the sniffles, eating toast by the window. I have no grudge against toast for dinner of course, but on that occasion, I felt it was wrong on so many levels. Thinking she'd be polite and refuse anyway, nevertheless I asked her, "Do you want some chicken stew?" Mar looked me square in the eyes and replied in her strong voice, "Yes." Thus began a great friendship. :)
Even though we hadn't seen each other in almost 7 years, it felt as if we'd never been apart. I guess with great friends, it never feels as if they ever left your side. We spoke, spoke more, and didn't stop until sleep called us. We also walked about Prague, shivered our butts off because it was cold and foggy and uh ... yes, we hit the gay bar. I'm not sure what I was expecting to see but the dance floor was so packed that it was impossible to do any bumping and grinding. Still, we had a great time and it was with deep pangs of sadness that I watched her fade into the darkness of the metro tunnel.
But there was more to look forward to. 2 days later, another plane touched down at Vaclav Havel Airport and out bursted my jovial, larger than life brother-in-law. No doubt he left the customs officers laughing as he passed them on the way out. A high ball of energy, we quickly dropped off his bag at my place where he proceeded to hand me bars and bars of Cherry Ripe! Now if you haven't tried Cherry Ripe, you should! Dark chocolate covering juicy, rich coconut and plump red cherries - this is a chocolate that is not too sweet and packs a satisfaction punch to your mouth. Urgh now I want one!
Now if Mar and I walked about heaps, Grant and I walked about thrice as much! We traipsed all around Old Town, through the winding alleys and embarrassingly for me, we got ourselves temporarily lost. We climbed the hills of Petrin and clambered down to Prague Castle. We dillydallied in the farmer's market at Jiriho z Podebrad and sipped thick gooey chocolate to warm our freezing fingers. The most amazing bit came when Grant skipped up a long flight of stairs and left me far behind, out of breath and amazed yet again at the energy that existed in this man! Really! Ok, I'm being overly harsh. I was only a little out of breath. :P
We posed in our pictures especially for our nephew, holding our arms out in what is known as the 'Guns' pose. Apparently this is a family tradition that has been passed on from Grant's family onto mine and I have to say, it sure beats the two-finger shite you see everywhere these days. :) Until the day comes when people decide they'll ditch the two fingers in favour of the Guns (that's never gonna happen - I won't let it!). When it was time for Grant to leave, I watched him flash his passport to the middle-aged airport officer, utter a few words and in typical Grant fashion, he sent both the officer and the one behind him into a fit of laughter. I never did ask him what he said to them.
And what am I doing this weekend? Why, I have yet another relative flying in! Great times!
Now if Mar and I walked about heaps, Grant and I walked about thrice as much! We traipsed all around Old Town, through the winding alleys and embarrassingly for me, we got ourselves temporarily lost. We climbed the hills of Petrin and clambered down to Prague Castle. We dillydallied in the farmer's market at Jiriho z Podebrad and sipped thick gooey chocolate to warm our freezing fingers. The most amazing bit came when Grant skipped up a long flight of stairs and left me far behind, out of breath and amazed yet again at the energy that existed in this man! Really! Ok, I'm being overly harsh. I was only a little out of breath. :P
We posed in our pictures especially for our nephew, holding our arms out in what is known as the 'Guns' pose. Apparently this is a family tradition that has been passed on from Grant's family onto mine and I have to say, it sure beats the two-finger shite you see everywhere these days. :) Until the day comes when people decide they'll ditch the two fingers in favour of the Guns (that's never gonna happen - I won't let it!). When it was time for Grant to leave, I watched him flash his passport to the middle-aged airport officer, utter a few words and in typical Grant fashion, he sent both the officer and the one behind him into a fit of laughter. I never did ask him what he said to them.
And what am I doing this weekend? Why, I have yet another relative flying in! Great times!