So, getting here was the worst trip of my life. Goodness, I don't even know where to start, except to say that I'm fine now, so this sad story will have a happy ending (all the best ones do, right?). So, I was doing all right until I ate dinner on the plane from New York to London (airplane food is apparently very sketchy). I managed to sleep some despite being nauseous, but not much. About 10 minutes before we landed, I got sick for the first time (warning: anyone with a weak stomach isn't going to like this story). That's the first time I've ever used a barf bag, or "motion discomfort" bag, for anything other than a paper for doodling.
Once I made it through the boarder and customs, which turned out to be somewhat more difficult than I remember from before, and found my bag, which was more difficult than I expected because my cute luggage strap didn't make the trip with my typical black suitcase, I made my way towards the underground. But on the way, a man convinced me to take the Heathrow Express, as it would be quicker and I didn't have much time until my train to Norwich. I bought the ticket and finally found the train - which took me quite a while. Meanwhile, I was getting sicker and literally collapsed on the ground while waiting for the next train. Just a few minutes outside the airport station, we were stopped and were stuck there about 20 minutes because of an accident with another train. Fortunately, I had grabbed another bag from the airplane because I used it then. After the wait, we were taken back to the airport. Then I waited in line for a refund on my ticket. Then I headed for the line for underground tickets, which was excessively long since it was the only transport running at that point. While waiting in line, I realized that there was no way I was going to make it on the metro. I could barely even stand, much less take care of my bags. So I got back out of that line, and headed up and out to try to get a taxi to the train station. I had to walk pretty far, but I didn't have any other options.
I managed to get a cab, but that poor guy had no idea what he was getting into. He had to pull over at one point to keep me from getting sick in his car. He was quite nice about it though, and gave me what water he had in his bottle and a bucket in case I needed it. When we finally made it, the cab fare was... let's just say a lot. He wanted to round it down, I think he felt sorry for me, but I insisted on including a tip - the guy had to pull over so I could throw up on the curb! He deserved something!
After all that, I still missed my train by just a few minutes. But I managed to get it switched to the next train at no charge - that's one thing that didn't go terribly. Also, a nice young lady helped me get my bag into the train because I couldn't lift them myself. I got sick on the train twice more - I couldn't even keep water down. I was getting really worried at this point that I would get so dehydrated that I would have to go the hospital for IV fluids. Fortunately, the 7UP I bought on the train seemed to settle my stomach some, and I didn't throw up any more.
I arrive at Norwich about an hour before James's graduation. He picked me up (in casual clothes, with extra dress clothes, and lots of bags - fully prepared for me to be sick in his car - poor guy!) and we were straight to the university. After changing clothes in the car park (no one was too close by) we were actually able to enjoy the evening. His family was quite nice to me and I was glad to be there.
All I can say is, I hope no one else ever has to endure a journey like mine. It wasn't fun. But I'm feeling much better now- eating again and having fun times with James. :)
