This is Todd Borgie. Today we flew from
Amsterdam to
New York City to meet the Land Rovers.
This is the day the Nick and I had envisioned from the beginning. I remember sending email to Nick while I was living in Los Angeles. The dream was so big. There was so much we didn't know; the questions and the problems seemed endless. In fact, I remember how Nick roped me into this production. If you know me then you probably know it wasn’t difficult but I knew I was going when he painted this picture. He told me to imagine us riding the bow of a ship into New York harbor, the Rovers on deck behind us and the Statue of Liberty facing us. We had both heard stories of our ancestors making this same voyage across the ocean to what would be their homeland. What did they feel as they made their final approach to America? What would we feel as we headed into the final leg of our epic adventure. We both knew that it would be a cruise home, if we made it to New York in once piece that is.. We imagined we would share similar feelings at this approach. The anticipation of this feeling fueled the late nights, the hours of planning and skinned knuckles.
Well, this day didn’t exactly live up to the vision. Neither Nick nor I saw the Statue of Liberty on this day. Ah, dreams are overrated. But never the less we made it to America, some of us a bit worn, yet all of us intact. We made it Nick! We made it!
What really happened:
Today was a day of mixed emotions. Everyone was tired, Nick was sick, and we were all headed home. The holidays were quickly approaching and we were to return home and meet the deadlines set by overly taxed spouses and loved ones. Time has a way of slowing down for me when I travel. What with all of the experiences I seem to have some mixed emotions. I am physically well but mentally tired. Traveling so far so quickly we never acquired a real knowledge of any place, but despite my lethargy, I have grown used to this pace. Everyday I meet someone new, and have real confidence in our accomplishment. I know that I will be unable to convey this back home because, for the most part, people just aren’t all that interested. So I suppose, in some way, this leg back to America was a subtle death and a re-entry back to our society.
Somewhere in Amsterdam everyone loaded into a mini van taxi and we headed for the airport. I watched the city going by and half of me wanted to bail out and stay but the practical side reminded me that I’m out of money.
We went into the airport and eventually they loaded us onto a plane. We were joining the masses again. We no longer stuck out; attention was no longer drawn to us from looking different or driving strange cars. It felt like we were being reabsorbed.
For most of us the plane ride was just an extension of last nights sleep. The hum of the engine, and lull of the in flight movie, simulated a perfect rocking of the cradle. Unfortunately for any passengers surrounding team aroundtheworld, we were carrying germs from around the world, which we loyally disbursed in all directions. A hack here, a sneeze there, hopefully the Rovers will be in better condition than we are. Nick and Chanda were both under the weather and Jeff’s gaseous emissions were starting to turn heads.
After arriving in New York I split with the group. My long time friend and college roommate, Pete was living in New York with his family and I had made plans to stay with them for a few days. It was weird to leave the group. Although I certainly did need my own space, I missed them as soon as I left. I will see them soon enough, but I am sure things will have changed. This is Todd Signing off.
