David's Diary: Sunday, February 23, 2003

Back to Tunisia

London Pub

I've been in London a week, but I have been so busy that it feels like only a day or two. Yesterday was spent doing a lot of shopping. I had a long list of things that we need on Dragonsinger and I think that I've got most of them. In the afternoon I stop at one of my favourite London pubs and have my last pub lunch of this trip. I eat slowly and savour the food, drink, and ambience. This is my twentieth trip to London and I always enjoy being in the big, old city.

Special Treats

I am up at 5:00 AM today and when I arrive at Gatwick airport before 6:00 I find it packed with people. I stop at the Duty Free store and make my last purchases, before boarding the airplane back to Tunis. I arrive, retrieve my knife, clear through customs, and collect my luggage. Outside the main airport doors I am immediately accosted by a taxi driver and let him lead me to his taxi -- the last one in line. We drive off and I tell him to go to the Louage station. He wants to take me all the way to Monastir. We negotiate in French, but I cannot haggle him down to a low enough price. We soon arrive at the Louage station. I am surprised that between the taxi driver, speaking French, the white-washed buildings, and the busyness of the Louage station that I feel like I am home. London reminded me of some of the things that I miss (like being able to speak to everyone in English), but Tunisia has found a place in my heart too. I ponder this as I share the back seat of the Louage with two good-looking flight attendants for the two-hour Louage ride back to Monastir.