Matt, Dafna, Theresia, and I arrived in Manchester early Monday morning, March 2nd. We were warmly greeted by our hosts from the Langdon Community, Robert and Phillip. At the time, I didn't realize that we were all to have such an informative and exciting time that none of us would want or need a break from what was to be a 36 hour day. Our first stop was the house that the agency arranged for our stay- Matt and I got settled in while the others went up the street to the hotel where Dafna and Theresia would stay for the night.
The house is pristine and they really went all out to cover every detail for us- everything from comfy bedscapes to blooming plants in the windows and a large bowl of mixed fruit on the dining table. As we toured the house we were introduced to our fully stocked kosher kitchen with two sinks and two of everything. Have I mentioned that the Langdon Community is an exclusively Jewish organization? Part of the service provided here is focused on supporting people to maintain an Orthodox Jewish home life and great emphasis is placed upon providing culturally sensitive support & guidance. This is going to be interesting!
Many, many hours later, after a day of meetings and tours and meeting new friends, we were concluding our day at the Trafford Center in Manchester enjoying an ice cream and having a laugh about our memorable Jerry Lewis Telethon length day. I confessed to having been a near miss at making a real embarrassment of myself a number of times that I caught myself from falling asleep at the wrong moment. In retrospect, I think the delirium only added to the excitement of the day- adding that element of suspense to the only day we'd all spend together!
Dafna and Theresia went on to meetings in Frome and London the following day. Of course, Matt and I are continuing our project here in Manchester and we are loving it. Wouldn't it be fun if I shared details of our adventures here? Instead I'd like to say something about the disorientation of travelling on the opposite side of the road in the UK. I guess we're on day 4 now, and I'm not sure whether I can say it's become any less disorienting for me. I'm gaining the advantage of picking out some landmarks to regain my sense of direction which I otherwise lose at every turn. This part of the experience is so much stranger than I ever imagined. I seriously thought I would rent a car and take off on the weekends- but sadly, I cannot be the one to put the world in danger.
I'm already concerned about my time here going very quickly as I can't believe it's already Thursday. I really should share more details about what we've been doing. Well, maybe I'll leave that to Matt. Matt?
The house is pristine and they really went all out to cover every detail for us- everything from comfy bedscapes to blooming plants in the windows and a large bowl of mixed fruit on the dining table. As we toured the house we were introduced to our fully stocked kosher kitchen with two sinks and two of everything. Have I mentioned that the Langdon Community is an exclusively Jewish organization? Part of the service provided here is focused on supporting people to maintain an Orthodox Jewish home life and great emphasis is placed upon providing culturally sensitive support & guidance. This is going to be interesting!
Many, many hours later, after a day of meetings and tours and meeting new friends, we were concluding our day at the Trafford Center in Manchester enjoying an ice cream and having a laugh about our memorable Jerry Lewis Telethon length day. I confessed to having been a near miss at making a real embarrassment of myself a number of times that I caught myself from falling asleep at the wrong moment. In retrospect, I think the delirium only added to the excitement of the day- adding that element of suspense to the only day we'd all spend together!
Dafna and Theresia went on to meetings in Frome and London the following day. Of course, Matt and I are continuing our project here in Manchester and we are loving it. Wouldn't it be fun if I shared details of our adventures here? Instead I'd like to say something about the disorientation of travelling on the opposite side of the road in the UK. I guess we're on day 4 now, and I'm not sure whether I can say it's become any less disorienting for me. I'm gaining the advantage of picking out some landmarks to regain my sense of direction which I otherwise lose at every turn. This part of the experience is so much stranger than I ever imagined. I seriously thought I would rent a car and take off on the weekends- but sadly, I cannot be the one to put the world in danger.
I'm already concerned about my time here going very quickly as I can't believe it's already Thursday. I really should share more details about what we've been doing. Well, maybe I'll leave that to Matt. Matt?
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It sounds like you are all having a great time! Don't worry, Tom, I'm sure you will get used to the left side of the road!
ReplyDeletePaula left a comment on your previous post, telling about your British counterparts experiences so far...I just didn't want you to miss it!
Thank you for keeping us all updated! Get some sleep and please write more again soon! Cheers!
Can't wait to hear more Tom-I wouldn't drive either-hop on hop off buses are the best.
ReplyDeleteHey Tom and Matt,
ReplyDeleteAllison and Selena joined us for lunch at our family support meeting and they seemed to really enjoy it. After that, John took them over to TRASE for big music and then brought them home. They are really great and are in it for the right reasons. Very nice to have them here!
36 hours - ahh, the adrenaline high that comes from travel. Maybe driving on the other side of the road will be less daunting now that you've had a bit more sleep.
ReplyDeleteTom, I LOVED catching up to you like this! What an amazing adventure you are on! I must hear more about the sausage roll! Keep posting! Love you and thinking of you! Patrish and Family....
ReplyDelete