Travelling Mercies

Monday, August 11^th I woke at 6am to begin my travels to ENA Training Camp. 2.5 hours later I arrived at my destination after the transition from bus to train, to tube to train. In my journey I did not completely understand the travel arrangements because there are some places you can end up without proper travel ticket while others are impossible to get to unless you have done things right; in this case I had not done things right. For my last train I had gone down to the platform to get on and before I did I swiped my oyster card, though I didn’t have to, I could have walked on without swiping. I swiped my card in anticipation of ending up at a terminal where I would not be able to exit without swiping and then waited on my train. The train was delayed due to a sister train broken down on one of the tracks, meaning my arrival at my final destination was also delayed. When I got off at Hatfield station I made my way into the station where I could see my ride waiting for me outside. Once in the station I noticed there was nowhere to swipe my oyster, only a ticket reader. Simultaneously I noticed a gentleman in front of me who was receiving a £20 fine for incorrect ticket. As I waited in my turn to speak with the gate manager I received a call from ENA asking if I was attending with them this day. I assured them I was and that I could see the van across the street waiting for me. As I waited my turn I noticed the van drive away, I also took note of the fact that I was not on the van but was still waiting eminent doom. Another gentleman on duty was there and I explained my situation. With some pitiful pleading from a Canadian boy who had only been in the country for 3 weeks I was granted the grace of paying for the ticket I should have purchased at my previous stop at a price of £7.40. I made my way across the street and called the office who informed me that a car would be by to pick me up, along with two other late arrivals. This was a relief but I was a bit deflated, considering I had initially scheduled myself to arrive 30 minutes early.

So training was a good time. Had some great sandwiches, met good people and learned a thing or two about caring. At the end we all were granted our own special powers to save the world through the illumination of our bellies. I’m Unpredictable Heart, with the power to smite evil-doers with care one minute and induce K9 urination the next. I didn’t find I clashed with anyone there, and we are all starting our own facebook group so I can’t really tell you a whole lot about how I really feel about everyone, but it’s pretty safe to say that Jim is the nicest bigot I know. After every day I went back to the house with the two girls who were staying there as well, along with Dave from the office. We cooked a dish which I would liken to Chicken Amatriciani, which I can’t seem to spell and SpellCheck is giving me grief. It’s served at East Side Marios and it’s pretty good. The second night we went out and I had fish and chips. On the way we got caught in the rain, and we laughed. The end. The second day we got to test our driving, but I didn’t think I was going to get a chance because I am an automatic driver, however they found someone and away I went. Driving on the left side of the road, sitting on the right side of the car, on roads I would liken to the sidewalks back home (called the pavement here). It wasn’t a test, but it was a test. I was driving with a driving instructor who was critiquing my every move. It was so strange because it was like I was being tested again, except with a different set of norms, on roads with roundabouts, which I don’t like at all. They may even have two lanes, but there are no lines to indicate this. You just know there are two lanes because some is drive beside you. I passed, and that is that. I rubbed the curb twice because I was not sure about how close the other side of the car was. You would think it would be no different than estimating how much car is on your right side in North America but it’s not.

On the last day, I was assigned a client. Most people have 3 month positions but because I don’t drive stick I have a non-driving position for 12 days, starting August 20^th. I like this because it will give me a taste of what the job is like while they find a more permanent position for me. On lunch break I received a call from one of my Hockey mates who is Married to a girl from Grand Bank, Newfoundland, Canada. He was inviting me to show up this coming Saturday for one of their games as a defenseman. I like playing D more these days because I feel like that is where I perform my best. I always played defensively as a forward and I loved being a play maker, but I would have stood out better on D. When I was at the rink with Isaiah it was interesting to watch him learn, and for me to explain with words and direction was not enough. I know the same applies to so many things. You can show someone the series of keys to press in order to play a piece, but practice and teaching the brain takes so much out of you. Again, I digress.

After the course was complete we all went to a pub by our station. Some interesting conversations were had, and I was among the final three who stayed until 10:30pm. I would love to say more about this time, but I will leave it vague. Much is understood between the minds of those who came. From there we went into London and had pizza before setting out in separate ways to make our way home. I didn’t really get lost this time, but it did take me until 3am to get home. On my last walk up the hill I saw a fox who I followed for a short time until it disappeared into someone’s backyard. Travel here is a lot of walking and a lot of sitting. It doesn’t feel long to go somewhere if it’s an hour journey; quite a contract to home where I drive anywhere in the city within 15 minutes or less.

Every night I went to bed with thanks, and asked God to make use of me the following day. He never failed, and sometimes I was blessed enough to see my utilization first hand.