Retreat New Hampshire
Sunset Lily's Pond Alyson's Orchard New Hampshire
My apologies for taking so long to return proper! I've been trying to decide which bits of my trip I can write about and which bits I want to write about... plus it took me eight days to figure out that you cannot deny jetlag its' place in life...
Anyway, I travelled across the sea to experience the delights of Bradley International Airport's International Arrivals Building. Let's just say the head of the cabin crew announced on the plane "This is currently the only international flight coming into this airport and Immigration enjoy wielding their power so please follow all instructions - and good luck."
It was not pleasant. It was made even less pleasant as my womb decided it was so excited to be over the sea that it gave me a present four days early - luckily some spark of inspiration had prompted me to pack my Mooncup in my hand luggage, but it was somewhat weird going through Immigration sans knickers.
Yes, that may indeed be TMI but this blog is about my reality, not yours.
Having navigated the officious, intrusive and downright rude people who populate that building, I had to find my way to meeting my friends. I asked a person at an information desk for some info and they were clearly from the same breed as Immigration ~ I was left wondering why people who clearly hate the travelling public would get jobs in an airport.
So I went outside and when a bus appeared I explained to the driver what I was doing - meeting friends at the National Car Rental hub - and he took my bags on the bus and told me I needed Terminal A. When I got into Terminal A I couldn't see any signs for car rental hubs, I was minorly panicky that this would be the day my mooncup would leak and I felt somewhat distanced from reality.
Then a lovely man who brings meaning to the phrase "the kindness of strangers" caught my eye from a wee information desk. I told him what I was meant to be doing and he explained which bus to get on, what colour livery it would have and where to find it. He then asked if I was OK - I must have looked as spaced as I felt - so I said "I'm fine I've just been awake for a very long time" so he suggested that before I got the bus I could have some food and a drink at a sandwich place. As soon as he said that I felt much better 
At this point I need to explain that I am generally a good traveller who can take care of herself and attribute the off kilter weirdness to the whole sans pants thing.
The bus to the car hub was vaguely annoying as the driver was one of those worldly wise folk who have never left their own country and do things like repeatedly talk about Ireland when someone says they are Scottish. I gave up saying "I'm from Scotland" and the other guy on the bus took over that job - he was wowed that I was from Edinburgh and assumed I must know Ian Rankin personally...
You can imagine the great pleasure I felt when I finally connected with my friends and we got on the road!
We were meeting more friends for a retreat at Alyson's Orchard and we arrived in the dark in time to celebrate the Full Moon.
Ah but it was magical to see my friends again!
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Tags: friendship, memories, menstruation, new hampshire, travel
Posted on August 17, 2007 in Travels.
I have so much to add but I am still digesting the concept of the mooncup. So many questions, probably not fit for the blog. Do they work?
Maybe an email conversation rather than a blog one…..
BTW that photo is amazing.
you cannot deny jetlag its place in life
This is so true. I used to think it was just wussiness til I went to America and back in four days. That was horrible.
I’d also like to be included in the mooncup conversation. The idea is good, but I am scared of the reality.
Happy to answer questions – have written you both
you really are a true wild woman!!!the way you talk about your periods and life …that’s great…you are very brave to use reusable sanitary towels…yes, it’s important to prevent “pollution” by too many wastes(not sure about the words…)but that’s brave because when i was young there was nothing else, and that was not so easy to use…you walk straight forward dear, that’s great to watch you…wish millions of women would walk like you…
love from Peaceful mousie