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RECHARGING
Saturday Aug. 13, 2016
written / published from Toronto – Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1 – Toronto
And time flew …
My 4.5 hr. Air Canada flight left Calgary 55 minutes late, yet arrived in Toronto on time?
They must have stepped on the gas …
Night flight (love them - don’t waste daytime hours), my ‘rear of plane’ seat selection plan proved I’d won the ‘no-sleep lottery’, fussing babies behind, cranky overtired toddlers in front – impatient exhausted parents; entertaining, not restful. 2/3rds of my way (attending Toastmasters convention, site seeing, burning expiring Aeroplan points, overdue break) to Washington DC. Looking forward to some sleep, then a week of seeing it all …
Waiting for the U.S. customs connection to open at 5AM so I can move to my gate.
Middle of night peculiar thought gathering place, people watching place – weary travellers off-loading late (early?), ‘between connections’ sprinkled around, listening/watching their devices, rumpled vagrants sprawled over benches snatching fretful sleep, fearful they’ll miss their next connection. Under one roof, every one – solitary, confinement.
Concourse sound system is remarkably good. Very pleasant jazz playing (Judy Collins, Windmills Of Your Mind just now, a long set of Oscar Peterson, a long drum solo …). Well appointed CIBC courtesy charging station where I am isn’t ‘hot’. Nice goin’ guys …
Everyone trying to juice phones or laptops soon realize they are draining, not charging, and resume their wandering terrazzo maze search of any live plug, in the floor or behind an obscure pillar. I’m charging my phone, bleeding off power from my laptop, hoping I have enough juice to finish composing/publishing this column before time, battery or Tim Horton’s caffeine ceases to deliver sufficient ‘stay awake’ juice.
Must find a plug now …
P.S.: good karma crossing paths with you at YYC Sam; we have so much good hard work in front of us
morning walk ‘without Gusta’ ….: 24C/75F outside and rainy, comfy in here – my walk, several loops around a terrazzo maze of closed shops, empty restaurants and bars. Crowds gone, night crews are sweeping up. I almost patronized the A&W. I was told ‘yes we are open’ as I observed staff shuffling in filth and debris, I couldn’t imagine eating anything they made me (I must send a note to Jeff Mooney, or maybe to the health inspector). Which left one coffee option, Tim Horton’s. A very weary young woman near the end of her shift made me a delicious sandwich. Janitors, moving their junk around on carts, forgot to rid the men’s room of flies … ah, just a nice walk in Toronto on a summer morn …
Reader feedback:
NOT A SAFARI
Hi Mark! My family and I enjoyed a fantastic trip to DC this past spring. I sent out a request for tips on the visit via Quora and somebody replied suggesting night visits to the memorials, in particular the Lincoln, form which you can see the eternal flame at Arlington across the river. It was a highlight of our trip. Wishing you safe and happy travels!, GB, Waukesha, WI
Enjoy your trip I'll be passing by your neck of the woods next week, AG, Cancun, Mex.
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