Choir Pilgrimage Part 1

I normally see myself as a pretty competent, easygoing person, but the time leading up to this trip/pilgrimage was rife with anxieties: will I remember everything I "need" to take, could I manage going outside my daily routine of maintenance, would I be able to sing the music well enough, etc. However, when I answer the question posed to me in our reflection booklet, "What does the word 'pilgrimage' mean to you?," my answer includes—journey, search, clarification, new meaning, new personal territory, honoring possibilities, promised wisdoms or insights, being vulnerable! Oh, of course! Vulnerability! I can talk easily about it, but experiencing it is another matter. It's deeply felt even though we're beautifully shepherded and provided for all the way. The anxiety must be part of my all-over makeup. I guess that's an insight I wasn't looking for. Thank you God for this opportunity for pilgrimage, insight, beautiful community and moments of care received and small wisdoms gleaned.

During trip over: Couldn't make my newly purchased tech helpers work—grr.Lots of hurry up and wait, tried unsuccessfully to get pics of all fellow pilgrims—edited during a long wait.On overseas part of flight, my seat mates were a young flamboyant couple who seemed to have made some questionable choices for travel (hear me judge). Well, you guessed it, they were fabulous…Londoners who came to the US several times a year to visit American parks to climb mountains, raft, see trees and geysers, etc. They got married with immediate family in Las Vegas cause they had just bought a house and couldn't afford a classic British wedding. A great time was had by all. Maybe you can discern my oft-required lesson to not judge a book by its cover. I envied their energy and bravery at tackling adventures.

Upon arrival, very tired, in London, after much more hurry and wait, we boarded a bus to Windsor. We passed through what looked like old-growth forest, glimpsed what I think was the Ascot Racetrack and stumbled off into the shopping area that surrounds the castle, similar to historical Windsor I'm sure. I got separated from the group. After some weary wandering on my part, God sent Penny to find me. We ate and chatted and collected two other buddies. All was well. Traveled on to Salisbury to the White Hart Hotel to welcoming beds in cool rooms. Such care was taken.

Next day bussed to Portsmouth, which is, as you may have guessed, a port, and serves as the base for the British navy. Lovely. I joined a small group to walk to its cathedral…also lovely, also with a maritime theme. The highlight for me (bear with me here) was the most beautiful public restroom I've ever seen. Imagine entering a long, wide, cool rest area where several tired-looking men were sitting and awaiting their brides. On the facing wall were several options. I took the ladies, which for handwashing had one long slab of white marble (?) slanting slightly to the back to drain, sleek copper faucets, and a long simple mirror above. All walls were white tile with a chest-high frieze of vertically laid 16x4 tiles that each looked like a different closeup of blue water, set off with a thin gold line directly above and below. I was agog! Perhaps you wonder why. To me it was exquisite timeless modern design and evidence that there were still people making decisions to embrace it and pay for it. There's hope. (The only sadness was that I couldn't get anyone else to be similarly excited about a public bath.)😉