My target is to go to London within the next two years. Possibly the most expensive travel destination I dare dream of. Even friends who have "done" Europe rarely venture into England. But for me, London is my bull's eye. I don't care much for Paris. My heart is striped with the Union Jack.
No, it is not just because of Sherlock with whom I have been getting thoroughly crazy about in the past few days. But ever since I was a teenager I have been drawn to London, I can't remember now why but I do remember that while my classmates wanted to go to America, I wanted to go to England. Layer that with all the great books I have read that were set in it, especially the magical ones. The best authors are English, in my opinion. Layer that with my natural predilection for British bands. Layer that with my devotion to Neil Gaiman.
I have zero savings yet for this trip but I intend to start one...now. With a hundred pesos. A symbolic start. I will assign a jar for it. Then every time it gets filled I will put it in the bank - I have a separate savings account that I opened just for this purpose, for saving up for big things.
I will convert one of my walls into a planning wall. A giant vision board. A constant daily reminder of where I am going.
I can't say what triggered me into action. It is probably the Time for it to start happening. A critical mass of events and situations finally set things into motion. Many Signs have been lit. Messages have been sent by the universe in myriad forms.
That new Suede song "It Starts And Ends With You", I am finally beginning to understand why it called out to me and tugged at me the very first time I heard it, what it means for me now, why it is the theme song that hums beneath this big adventure.
Full circles. Re-integration into wholes. True Paths.
Instructions
by Neil Gaiman
Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never
saw before.
Say "please" before you open the latch,
go through,
walk down the path.
A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted
front door,
as a knocker,
do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.
Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat
nothing.
However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,
feed it.
If it tells you that it is dirty,
clean it.
If it cries to you that it hurts,
if you can,
ease its pain.
From the back garden you will be able to see the
wild wood.
The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's
realm;
there is another land at the bottom of it.
If you turn around here,
you can walk back, safely;
you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.
Once through the garden you will be in the
wood.
The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-
growth.
Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She
may ask for something;
give it to her. She
will point the way to the castle.
Inside it are three princesses.
Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.
In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve
months sit about a fire,
warming their feet, exchanging tales.
They may do favors for you, if you are polite.
You may pick strawberries in December's frost.
Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where
you are going.
The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-
man will take you.
(The answer to his question is this:
If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to
leave the boat.
Only tell him this from a safe distance.)
If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.
Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that
witches are often betrayed by their appetites;
dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;
hearts can be well-hidden,
and you betray them with your tongue.
Do not be jealous of your sister.
Know that diamonds and roses
are as uncomfortable when they tumble from
one's lips as toads and frogs:
colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.
Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.
Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped
to help you in their turn.
Trust dreams.
Trust your heart, and trust your story.
When you come back, return the way you came.
Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.
Do not forget your manners.
Do not look back.
Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).
Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).
Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).
There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is
why it will not stand.
When you reach the little house, the place your
journey started,
you will recognize it, although it will seem
much smaller than you remember.
Walk up the path, and through the garden gate
you never saw before but once.
And then go home. Or make a home.
And rest.
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