DAY NINETEEN

I woke up early and was able to get on a WIFI signal to check my email. I sent one to my mom and let her know I didn't have to spend the night on the streets of London. Tom was still sleeping so I decided at 8am I should wake him up so I could get going.

A cup of tea later and after a quick check of train timetables, we were on our way by bus to Liverpool Street Station. I had come full circle as we rode the same bus I took late that first night I arrived in London from Phnom Penh. I could see much more in the daylight.

The ticket agent was able to sell me two tickets - one to Broxbourne Station and the other from Broxbourne to Stansted Airport - both for any time that day. Tom and I walked over to Weatherspoons for a traditional English breakfast - egg, bacon, sausage, beans, potatoes. Now I can say that I know Rory's in Phnom Penh does an authentic English breakfast (and even includes black pudding, which I feed to Tigger).

I said goodbye to Tom, the first of many angels over the next 24 hours. I promised to have a BBQ when he comes to visit Cambodia later this summer.

The train was really noisy - more so than any other transportation so far on the trip. But it arrived safely. I hadn't bought any phone minutes and there was no place to do so at the station. Another angel in the form of a station operator let me use his phone. Laura would be there to get me in 15 minutes. It was around noon.

The drive was short to Laura's home. I didn't realize she lives with her mother and brother. The last time I saw Jackie was when she brought Laura to America. Laura was just a toddler then! I showed Laura lots of photos and explained more than usual because she is planning a trip with her friend for later this year.

Jackie got home soon after I arrived and Laura had to go to her appointment. Her brother, Tom came downstairs and I showed some more photos including those I had of my kids and grandson. I can see a lot of my son, Danny in Tom and they are both quite tall. His girlfriend came over and they started to plan a camping trip. I helped find some information on the computer about campgrounds in the area.

Then a very strange phenomenon occurred; small birds like swallows started swooping near the open windows. This frightened Jackie and Tom's girlfriend who immediately shut all doors and windows. Laura came home and the two of us actually had some good-natured fun at the expense of the other screaming women.

The birds decided to play somewhere else, so Jackie was going to read the paper in the garden. However, as soon as she sat down, they returned and Tom was stationed on the fence to act as a living scarecrow. Jackie and I had our cameras out and took a few photos of the fun. Soon, it was time for Tom to head off on his camping trip while Jackie, Laura and I walked to the store.

Since it was a bank holiday weekend, most shops had closed early. There was a Tesco Express open and we went inside to get frozen Yorkshire puddings. I figured if the British eat them instead of baking them from scratch, then I was still experiencing local culture and getting to eat one of my favorite British foods - just in time - hours before I was to leave.

I also picked up a few more "tea party" treats and Jackie was so kind to share a jar of Champagne marmite for me to bring home. Dinner was quick and easy and so delicious. Banger sausages, Yorkshire puddings and with some chicken gravy, spinach, broccoli and new potatoes.

We talked a bit about British TV and the latest Britain's Got Talent, which I would just barely miss because of my train to the airport. Laura dropped me off at the station with my baggage, now including a case of liquid gifts from the distillery having been shipped from Scotland to her house. We thought we would have to carry it all over many stairs to the platform, but another angel appeared and operated the service elevator for us.

After saying goodbye, I waited for the train on an empty platform. After about 10 minutes it appeared and I was able to get on with my baggage by myself. I brought a small folding dolly which helped immensely. I had to make one transfer, but as good luck would have it, I needed only to step off the train and stand in the same spot for the next train to arrive - no stairs!

At the airport, I went straight to weigh my baggage and make any adjustments early. It was about 4 hours before my flight. The box was only 18 kilos, under the 20 that I had paid for in advance. But my "carpet bag" which was my official "carry-on" was 11 kilos. Carry-ons are only allowed 8 kilos. I also had two duty-free bags stuffed full, so I was pushing it rather hard. I inquired about paying for an extra bag, only to find that AirAsia does not count bags - you can have as many as you want - but they only count weight. And anything over is $5 Pounds per kilo. Oops. And no, I could not change what I had already booked.

So, I decided to check-in the carpet bag and reduce the damage as much as possible. The airport actually had a special section with scales (that you pay for) and tables for rearranging. Here I got an ingenious idea. I was wearing the coat from the B&B and it had some deep pockets. I stuffed everyone with things that added weight. I took pajamas and toilettries out of the carpet bag because I didn't want to mess with it again until I reached Phnom Penh and I had one night's stay in Kuala Lumpur. I stuffed everything that was left into one duty free bag, hoping it was close enough to 8 kilos.

When the check-in desk opened, I braced myself. It wasn't too bad. $35 Pounds added to the total price of my flight made it $856 round trip. The coat trick also worked. At 1:30am I left Europe on the last flight out of Stansted for the night.

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Mariam Arthur
CEO
Kmy Films
+855 (0)12 54 30 74
http://www.kmyfilms.com/
http://www.filmcambodia.org/