Sitting on a Boston Express bus to Logan Airport today, reminds me of the last time I took one of these. It was about a year ago when I returned from working in the UK and was dropping my things off here in New Hampshire before driving up to Nova Scotia for what was to become an eleven month experience of caring for mom in her declining days and then organizing the estate which is still unresolved but getting closer. In any event this new trip to Logan is for what could be an absolutely wonderful experience and one that only a few years ago I couldn't have imagined myself ever taking. I am going to the London 2012 Olympic Games for three weeks!
I am not a big roller who was able to buy top tickets to numerous events. I am merely a photographer who enjoys photographing sports and people and who has always been transfixed to the television every two years...but particularly every four years...to watch the Olympics: Vancouver, Beijing, Torino, Athens... The first Games I remember were the Squaw Valley Games back in 1960. Walter Cronkite was one of the chief correspondents for CBS during the Games. But here I am, going to the London Games, with endless security and for the media, of which I am included, there will be some pretty good perks: priority transportation between events, prime spots near the action of each event, food, inexpensive, but really nice accommodations and access to the athletes for photos and interviews. The media pass I have will get me into any event I want to see...the is provided I am not aced out by another photographer. Some of the events have limited space and it's a first come first serve system...so I brought my "PF Flyers" so I can run faster and jump higher. Ok, so PF Flyers dates me a bit...but just a bit.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
We, the bus, are picking up a variety of other travelers as we head from North Londonderry, NH to Logan. All of these people have their stories for where they have been and where they are going and why they are traveling today. The little Pakistani woman sitting in front of me was just getting final instructions from her friend, "get off at South Station!" She nodded and patted on the window as if she totally understood where she had to go. The bus driver, intercepted the farewell, saying he would be sure she got off at South Station. So, now that we are leaving Salem, NH it is a straight shot to Boston. Sunday traffic is light so far as the weekend merrymakers who frequent New Hampshire's lakes haven't begun their homeward treck yet.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
When I arrive at London's Heathrow Airport I will be checking in with the credentials people to verify my documents. Then it's off to Devon for two days to see my uncle and cousin. I haven't seen Uncle Dave in a long time and I am sure we will spend some time talking about the two sisters: my mom, Mary and his wife, Nancy. They are both gone now. One of my tasks will be to take a jar of mom's ashes to West Webbery in Alverdiscot to scatter then on the grounds where she was born 88 years ago and grew up almost to the day she met dad, the US Army guy she married. But this visit to West Webbery will end the full circle of mom's earthly experience....ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I will be seeing my cousin, Jane's husband for the first time and seeing Emily and Christopher for the first time in 20 or so years. I am sure it will be a good way to begin this three weeks of excitement.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
I am sure in future entries on this blog you will find me including some photos...but not today.
I am not a big roller who was able to buy top tickets to numerous events. I am merely a photographer who enjoys photographing sports and people and who has always been transfixed to the television every two years...but particularly every four years...to watch the Olympics: Vancouver, Beijing, Torino, Athens... The first Games I remember were the Squaw Valley Games back in 1960. Walter Cronkite was one of the chief correspondents for CBS during the Games. But here I am, going to the London Games, with endless security and for the media, of which I am included, there will be some pretty good perks: priority transportation between events, prime spots near the action of each event, food, inexpensive, but really nice accommodations and access to the athletes for photos and interviews. The media pass I have will get me into any event I want to see...the is provided I am not aced out by another photographer. Some of the events have limited space and it's a first come first serve system...so I brought my "PF Flyers" so I can run faster and jump higher. Ok, so PF Flyers dates me a bit...but just a bit.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
We, the bus, are picking up a variety of other travelers as we head from North Londonderry, NH to Logan. All of these people have their stories for where they have been and where they are going and why they are traveling today. The little Pakistani woman sitting in front of me was just getting final instructions from her friend, "get off at South Station!" She nodded and patted on the window as if she totally understood where she had to go. The bus driver, intercepted the farewell, saying he would be sure she got off at South Station. So, now that we are leaving Salem, NH it is a straight shot to Boston. Sunday traffic is light so far as the weekend merrymakers who frequent New Hampshire's lakes haven't begun their homeward treck yet.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
When I arrive at London's Heathrow Airport I will be checking in with the credentials people to verify my documents. Then it's off to Devon for two days to see my uncle and cousin. I haven't seen Uncle Dave in a long time and I am sure we will spend some time talking about the two sisters: my mom, Mary and his wife, Nancy. They are both gone now. One of my tasks will be to take a jar of mom's ashes to West Webbery in Alverdiscot to scatter then on the grounds where she was born 88 years ago and grew up almost to the day she met dad, the US Army guy she married. But this visit to West Webbery will end the full circle of mom's earthly experience....ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I will be seeing my cousin, Jane's husband for the first time and seeing Emily and Christopher for the first time in 20 or so years. I am sure it will be a good way to begin this three weeks of excitement.
I'M GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!!
I am sure in future entries on this blog you will find me including some photos...but not today.
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