CRAZY Day

Yesterday I had a pretty big unplanned adventure. As we were touring the sights (St. Paul's, The National Gallery, Big Ben, The Millenium Bridge, Buckingham Palace, etc.) I got seperated from the group for about an hour. I first realized I was lost at the changing of the guard, after they locked the gates, of course, and from there wandered around downtown London, stopping to wait at certain landmarks, and praying like crazy. As it started to get dark I realized that I wouldn't be safe much longer and had to find a way home. I knew where to get off the tube, I just had to find a station. By the grace of God, when I was searching Green Park a couple stopped me and asked for directions. I certainly couldn't help them, but they had a map that showed me where the station was. I hurried to the tube station, checked all the entrances, and having still not found any recongizable face, I decided to just board the train and hopefully call one of the professor's cell phones when I reached home. At least I still had my Oyster card (pass for the tube), right?? ...wrong. I frantically checked all my pockets and retraced my steps in the station, on the verge of tears. I ended up having to buy a new ticket, with no small amount of difficulty since the card reader didn't work. Finally, having reached the other side, I asked a police officer if he could make a page for my professor. He graciously took me into the security office, got some more info from me, and made the page. I was then ushered back outside, next to a girl sitting on a suitcase and weeping. I then thanked God for the peace that He had given me and for the ability to still make rational decisions. All my anxiety built up to that moment and I got a splitting headache and everything went blurry. Out of the fog, I heard the best sound that has ever reached my ears. My TA, Susanna, called my name, came running through the swarm of strangers, and grabbed me. Later I learned that Dr. Woolsey, she, and Dara, had just about to step foot on the train when they heard the page and came racing back. AND, not only did they find me in one piece, but Ben had found my Oyster card on the path (which is when they realized I was missing). Overjoyed and dizzy with emotion I told them the whole story on the ride back. They were all so kind to me and took away all my guilt and fear.

Tomorrow I hope to be put on a leash.