6/13 - It was time for a nice workout anyway

What I did:

I went to bed last night thinking that there might be a possibility that I would wake up today and go with Graham to hear him give a presentation type of thing. But, he never told me what time, so I got up just in time to hear him getting ready to leave. I don’t know if he forgot that he invited me, or just did not want to wake me up, but that gave me the whole morning to get ready to go. I also began to realize that I still had not told either Graham or Anne that I would be leaving today, and I just hoped that I would run into them before I had to leave.

Sure enough, Anne was still around, but she too got ready to go somewhere, so I told her my plan and continued to make some breakfast. I packed everything up, but still had some time to kill because I did not need to be at the hotel until sometime before 11pm. So, I figured I would wait as long as I could for Graham to 1. Tell him my plans and 2. See if he would drive me to the station. So I waited and read and watched some fresh expressions dvds. Finally, it got to be about 4pm, so I figured I would head off. I left Graham a note, but I hope to see him again (and stay with them again).

Now came the hard part. I had to lug all my bags to the train station. About a 30 minute walk. It was tough, because I packed too much, but with some sort of divine strength and endurance helping me, I made it there. Then I tried to get a ticket. I had not purchased one before because I was still leaving open the opportunity that I would be with Graham that morning, and I didn’t know when or from where I would be leaving. I also knew from prior experience, that I would not be able to use my card at the machine. I was trying to get a 69.50 pound ticket, which is more than those machines allow. I tried anyway, then looked into the station office. I saw a sign that said 30 seconds, and for some reason assumed it meant the guy would be back in 30 seconds. Thinking back on that, a sign like that would be kind of useless. So, I walked around and waited a little. The train I needed was announced, and it hit me that the sign was really about the train doors closing 30 seconds before the train leaves. I panicked a little, saw a train that I could take approaching, dug through my backpack and found 71 pounds in cash. I knew I wouldn’t make the train, so I took my time going back around to purchase the ticket from the machines. I might have cut it a little close this time.

Then, as I tried to enter one of my 20 pound notes the machine kept spitting it back at me. I had to use it since I had no other way to get a ticket. After the fifth try, it finally accepted it and gave me my ticket. Finally, relief. So I waited. And sure enough no one came to the ticket office for another 30 minutes, let alone 30 seconds, but I kind of expected it being a Saturday and all.

Other than that, it was the easiest train ride I have had so far. No trains were late, and we had no unexpected stops. I made my one transfer, and spent about 4 hours total on trains. Unfortunately, I did not feel like reading at all, so I listen to music and podcasts…a lot. Occasionally, I listened to other people on the train, but nothing incredibly interesting happened.

I made it to Stockport rail station fine, and walked out. I noticed I was much closer to the city center than I thought I would be, but walked in the direction I thought I needed to go. I still don’t understand what Britain’s problem with street signs is, but I had no clue where I was. I knew what streets to look for, but not which ones where right in front of me. I kind of wandered a little, realized the longest walk may be yet to come with all my luggage, and considered going back to get a cab (which I not only do not want to pay the money for, but also have some sort of aversion to). Finally, I found a bus stop with a map in it! I found where I was, which was no where I thought I was, and not incredibly close to where I needed to be. But I thought I knew which direction to go, so I went. A couple of bus stops later I stopped again to make sure I was not getting farther away, and found that I was indeed going in the right direction and that it would be a pretty long walk. Most importantly, I finally realized what went wrong. I had gotten off at the rail station I planned on this morning when I got the ticket, but that was not the one that I had intended to go to when I booked the hotel. No wonder I had no clue where I was! I had started my long trek through Stockport at the wrong place.

Nevertheless, that realization gave me knew hope and vigor to complete this journey. I knew exactly where to go now, and somewhat of how far it would be. And so I walked. With all my bags. About ¾ the way through was probably the closest I have ever come to hitchhiking. But I didn’t. It was worth the walk, though, all because of one thing I saw. I kept my eyes open to take in the place and what was around me, relatively close. As I did this I noticed a snooker bar (kind of hard not to, it was open and lively). But, standing outside the door, smoking a cigarette was Sonic the Hedgehog. No joke. Well, it was a guy in a Sonic costume with the head off. But still, it made the entire toilsome journey worth it completely. I would not choose to get off at the correct rail station and miss that.

Anyway, I finally made it to the hotel and the only thing to prove my difficult journey was my sweat and incredibly tired shoulders. To make me feel even more ashamed, though, I quickly noticed that there was a wedding reception happening on the first floor. There is a big dining/party area right outside the reception desk. So, I was very out of place in my t-shirt having walked across town, but I got my key and headed up. Seeing the wedding party did make me really excited about Robert and Tanya’s upcoming big day!
I got to my room after 3 flights of stairs and lots of tiny hallways, but I realized how quiet it was and how far removed from the craziness of the reception downstairs. It is a really nice place and I look forward to the next couple of days. But for now, a shower, some tea, some chocolate, and some rest.

What I learned:

Thank you to whoever decided to put street maps in the bus stop waiting areas – you are a genius. No thank you to whoever decided not to put street signs out.

I may not be in-shape (although I am not that out-of-shape) or strong, but endurance and perseverance can cover that up a lot.

Your right, dad. The best way to carry that bag is by acting like it is a makeshift backpack.

I am very grateful for being able to walk. If I couldn’t, this day would not have happened at all (or been much easier).

No matter how many times you double check something (like a destination) and make sure it is all set to go, if it is the wrong thing, it doesn’t really matter.

There is at least one other guy out here who likes sonic as much as me (or maybe a little more than me).