These are the journals of “les vacances du deux personnes, Jackie et Robert” on their first voyage together. Their mission: To explore strange new worlds, seek out other civilizations, and to boldly attempt to survive their holiday with their relationship intact. They have been dating each other for almost six months and it is time for the adventures to begin.
The story opens with Jackie, a young rising professional for a large department store, and Robert a brilliant professional student discussing what each plans to do for their vacation. Jackie is planning a trip to England, to meet her grandparents whom she hasn’t seen for almost 30 years. Robert is thinking of returning to the south of France, to holiday with a French family that he has known for many years. Both are attending a prominent local college, and will within a year receive their advanced degrees in business administration. Using the skills so far attained in their classes they realize that by combining their vacations they can do twice as much for only a little more money. A joint vacation will also test their relationship. Surviving two weeks of daily contact…
THE VOYAGE BEGINS
Wednesday, Sept. 2nd 1992
Well Jackie just topped me for forgetfulness. I had planned on bringing a kit of my magic paraphernalia and forgot it. But Jackie forgot to bring her contact lenses. She is facing two weeks of wearing mousy looking glasses and is not a happy camper. We have just landed in England (Heathrow) and since she also forgot to pack an umbrella it, of course, is raining here.
We left Portland, Oregon about 10:00 AM on Tuesday and arrived here Wednesday morning at 8:05 AM. Neither of us really got any sleep on the flight. Customs and immigration were a breeze here, except I thought Jackie was about to pick a fight with a uniformed security guard. The signs said use “Zones 2, 3, or 4” and she was determined to use zone 4. Unfortunately the only zone really opened was zone 2. Personally I have discovered that it never pays to argue with a person wearing uniform. I remember a business colleague of mine arguing with an Indian security officer over a package of batteries. The officer was intent on confiscating the batteries and my friend was arguing that they weren’t even in any device. I stood to the side wondering how the hell I was going to bail him out of jail in case the officer decided to confiscate him as well. My friend finally gave an exasperated sigh and yielded the batteries. What amazed me was that they then let me pass with all of my camera gear, which contained no less than thirteen batteries! That demonstrates the irrationality of security guards which is why I never argue with them. The fact that in many countries they carry firearms also leads me to be more passive towards their authority. With my luck I would argue with one who had just had his wife walk out on him, was deep in debt, had been reprimanded by his superiors and just to make his day would decide to empty his weapon in me.
Anyway, in this case, it being England the guard was not armed, and Jackie gave up without trying to decapitate him. She stalked over to me muttering something about “&*&@!.
We caught the underground and arrived a Victoria Station, which was near the hotel where we would spend the night. Jackie phoned the hotel but the phones over here operate on the principal that you are buying time. So before she could get complete directions to the hotel, the phone went dead.
Based on the directions she had obtained we consulted our map and set off. The rain had let up and it was a short half mile walk to the last street mentioned in the directions. We turned in a promising direction and with the usual combination of skill and insight (commonly referred to as blind luck) found the hotel.
At the hotel a small surprised awaited. Jackie had sent $72.00 to pay for the room. The hotel sent the check to the bank where the check was converted to British pounds at that day’s rate. For that there was a seven pound service charge (ouch! Why do they call that a “service”.) The end result was that we were short eleven pounds. We paid and lugged our gear up to the room. [Note: Mom gave me an early birthday present of some cash which I used to buy a new piece of luggage. I bought a Jansport backpack bag which was great! It really made the trip easier. Thanks Mom!]
While we were discussing the extra charge, a lady came up behind us. She asked me if I was a Wallace, having notice the name on the check-in form. I replied that I was. So was she. Her name was Mary Wallace and she also was an American. Not only that, she also was from Oregon (Corvallis.) I am constantly amazed in my travels at how really small the world has become.
Of course the room was on the top floor of the hotel. It was a simple room consisting of twin beds next to each other with small closets and a shower stall stuck in the corner of the room. It was small, but relatively clean and comfortable.
The plan had been to check-in and then to sight see London. I had been skeptical of this plan when it was made. My skepticism was accurate. On reaching the room we decided a short nap was needed. Considering that my recollections of this period of time are foggy and dim, the nap was probably a good idea. By now it was 10:00 I believe.
I awoke around 1:45 and took a shower. Afterwards I woke Jackie.
The following is Jackie’s first entry in the journal. Her entries will be distinguished from mine by being indented.
I could have slept right through the afternoon. I was out cold and didn’t even hear Bob’s shower. Considering that the shower is just in a corner of the room and two feet from the bed I must have been tired.
What a pleasant trip over. I enjoyed the company of an Australian business tycoon on the trip from Portland to San Francisco. He was a wealth of ideas for my plastic lumber project. From writing the business plan to soliciting money from investors, taxes and even running the company, Greg gave me a lot of advice and inspiration. Greg has had many businesses and is currently setting up sports holiday perk programs for corporate executives. He has invited me to visit him in Hawaii and has offered to include me in their next sports camp. I’m then to try to sell it to the company as an executive perk program. I intend to follow up on staying in contact with Greg. He could be a great contact to have in the future.
From San Francisco to London I shared a row with a retired business man that sits on many advisory boards for Berkeley and works extensively with corporate executives from the Gap and Levi’s. He and his wife travel extensively and are spending a few weeks on the Thames.
Talking with Bob, I now realize I need to start collecting business cards and cultivate future business contacts. I’ll start with Greg.
As Bob mentioned, I forgot my contacts. This would not have been so upsetting except that he had just made the comment that I look like a “mousy school teacher”” in my new glasses. I’m crushed.
We’re headed up the Thames to Greenwich. My feet are enjoying the rest – I’ve already got blisters the size of a 10 pence. We’re off to a late start. I hope we aren’t missing out when we get there (i.e., everything closing early).
We caught the 4:00 boat up the Thames to Greenwich. We briefly thought of bypassing the trip because it was late. The last boat back from Greenwich is at 5:40 I think. Since the boat ride is 50 minutes that doesn’t give us much time at Greenwich. But at 4:00 on an overcast London afternoon suffering from jet lag there wasn’t any clear alternative. So we bought two round trip tickets. The boat ride is restful and scenic. There is a lot of restoration and new building going on along the waterfront.
