Presidential Fitness

When I was in grade school the words "presidential fitness tests" would cause a gut-ache and bring tears to my eyes in terror! I'm sure you remember these tests: how many sit-ups can you do in a minute, the rope climb, the bar hang (or pull ups for boys). I suppose there was timed running as well or jumping rope, honestly, I don't recall that part of it. These tests terrified me for a couple of reasons. First of all, I was a chubby girl that didn't have very many friends. You had to pick a partner that would hold your feet while you did sit-ups. I was the kid who had to be partners with that one person that nobody liked (or maybe I was the person that nobody liked) because nobody would choose me for a partner. I couldn't do very many sit-ups, I was never able to climb the rope and the bar hang... well, I didn't hang at all. This was all humiliating to me and provided fodder for the other kids to make fun of me. ugh. it was awful.

Now I am facing the program that caused me so much anxiety as a child. I am willingly joining the Presidential Fitness challenge program. I have created my own group, aptly named "Veni, Vidi, Vici" for my desire to conquer my fitness fears and earn a presidential fitness patch and am inviting my friends to join me.

At one time I was a fit person who enjoyed working out at least 5 times a week. But over the last 8-9 years I've lost that person. It's time for her to come back!! Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to do a pull-up before I turn 40?!

The Final Act: London

Here I am, my last day in London and less than 24 hours before I leave for home. My stay here has been wonderful. The first day I reacquainted myself with the city. I walked down fleet street to Trafalgar square, to Westminster and Parliament; I crossed the Thames at Big Ben (even though he's not there, he's being polished or repaired someplace). I went past the London Eye and walked along the river to Shakespeare's Globe theatre. I purchased a ticket to "The Merchant of Venice" matinée. Here I became a Groundling, one who stands in the yard during the performance. It was fantastic!! A ghost tour ended the evening.

Wednesday I walked to Leicester Square and then to the British Museum where I made my linguistic pilgrimage to The Rosetta Stone. Then it was to a pub for a few delicious ales and to the theatre. We saw a comedy, "Boeing Boeing" which was really good. I love to watch live theatre. One of the actors lost it on stage and a giggling fit ensued (brief, but still amusing). This play had Rhea Perlman playing one of the main characters.

Thursday was more walking... or should I say, limping. I wandered to the Borough Market, stopping for lunch along the way. I ended up at the Tower but shortly before it closed. So I had a tea in a shop called "Eat." and watched it pour down rain. I ended up walking back to the apartment and propped my feet up for the rest of the evening. I let my friend cook for me and we enjoyed some mead purchased at the Edinburgh castle that I don't want to drag home with me.

Today has been the Tower (took a bus this time). A stop to write a post. Now I'll enjoy an Ale and reflect on my trip.

I am exhausted today and pretty much ready to head home. I need to savor the last few hours of my time here and head home with a happy heart. I feel content with what I've seen and done here. I see why everyone wants to live in London despite the expense. It's really an international city with no shortage of things to do and see. Walking around everywhere has been really revealing and really hard on my poor feet. I've loved it though. I decided today I need to train for my next trip abroad. I have to figure out where I'll go next!!

Act Two, Scene Two: York

note to the reader: read the post below for a chronological read.

This city is fascinating. A large northern England town where everything is within walking distance. My backpack is weighted down with a few bottles of alcohol which I'm thinking of drinking instead of figuring out how to get them home.

I arrive late and check into my hostel. I'm staying in a room with 10 bunkbeds (20 beds) co-ed. For £12 a night, it can't be beat. I wander into town early Sunday morning and I am one of only a dozen people on the street. I encounter ancient roman walls and towers. A mideveal castle tower atop a large mound so many sinking buildings. Oh yes, and several Starbucks and Pizza Huts.

I end up in the queue at the Jorvik museum. This place is very scatalogical. They take you through a disney-like ride through a typical Viking town... including the toilet where an old man is straining himself (a bit too realistic for me). Did I mention there are actual smells being piped in? Ugh! After the ride, the museum begins with a petrified human poo! At that point, I wonder what the rest of the museum is like?! Turns out it's quite interesting. My ancestors were inventive folk. They were adventurous travelers, lived in quaint communitites and were overall quite intersting. My favorite exhibit was an actual skeleton found on the site and they pointed out all of his battle injuries. Broken limbs, several stab wounds including a spear through the neck which severed his spine. It was like watching a forensic science show!

I enjoyed a typical Sunday dinner in Yorkshire: roast beef, vegetables, potatoes, gravy and yorkshire pudding. With a local hand-pulled cask ale, of course! With every corner I turned I found another ancient building and about as much character as one could stand. The York Minster is unbelievable! I say that having seen more than my fair share of gothic cathedrals. The size of which could be compared to St. Peter's in the Vatican. A walk along the city wall -- built by the Romans -- and lunch in the "most haunted pub" in England (or is it Europe) rounded up my visit to this fine city. I bought some clotted cream fudge in the Shambles (tastes like candy corn) and by then it was time to head to London for the final Act of my journey.

I really enjoy train travel. I cherish the last train I'll be on during my trip and look forward to wandering around London seeing sites I encountered 20 years ago, and learning more about these English folk. Until the next act...

Act Two, Scene One: York

I belive it was Aristotle who created the theory that persists today of the three acts of life, and therefore the three acts of literature, and plays. Act one is the introduction of the characters and the establishment of the hero/heroine with his/her fatal flaw. Act two is the predicament, that event that creates a problem that must be solved. Act three is the resolution of that problem. My trip has three cities and perhaps follows this pattern. Edinburgh was the introduction. York was the inevitable realization of my fatal flaw/weakness: my feet. Sounds funny, eh? Well, I bought a new pair of shoes before I left for the Great Britain. I wore them an entire day and had no problems! I decided to put inserts into them to give a bit more support. The first day I wore them, I got a gigantic blister and wound on my left heel. So, I have been forced to wear these evil, yet popular, "shoes" called crocs. Giving almost no support, I've had terrible feet pain since. After a day in York, I had to sit for hours in the hostel with my feet up. Observing their swollen ankles, the new broken veins along the arch. This, in turn, required me to miss my York ghost tour. Ahh, such is life with my poor shoe decision making. I sat in the hostel wondering how on earth i ever did this for 3 months?! The sad realization is that it was 20 years ago and my body was much, much younger and pliable. The inevitable journey through life at some times unfortunate and at others simply wonderful.

My experiences with travel, my study of languages, my many years of meeting and talking with interesting (many times international) people have allowed me to see this world with a unique set of eyes. I know, for example, that this trip is changing me every day; moreso than my normal life does. I wonder who I will be when I return to my home country and what adventures I will encounter in the next moment. I've learned to notice the little things. Like door handles and light switches, but also street signs and language and the interesting things cities paint at cross walks or the convenience items that people living their daily lives take for granted.

So, with sore feet, awful shoes and keen eyes, I begin my next Act. York, England.