DAY EIGHTEEN

The day started early with a bowl of cereal, yogurt and fresh fruit. Then it was time to pack the purple carpet bag again and head off to another train station. Wynford drove me to the station, where the price for a train ticket had gone from $35 Pounds if I had purchased the ticket online the night before, to $69. Since my credit card wasn't working, we walked over to the National Express bus office where a ticket to London was a mere $23, which I had in cash.

However, instead of the 9:30am bus, I had to purchase a ticket for the 11:30 bus. Fortunately there was an empty seat on the 9:30am bus so I was able to board just before it left. The journey was fun sitting in the front row next to an older lady named June. The driver had a radio station playing oldies from the 60's and 70's so we sang along and tried not to disturb other passengers, giggling like a couple of school girls.

About noon she took out a sandwich, so I took out a Cornish Pasty that Chris from Scotland had insisted I buy in Stranraer. I trusted his wisdom when he told me they keep for at least 2-3 days and are the local way to eat when traveling. Every time I ate a pasty, I couldn't help but think how right he was.

The landscape was beautiful from the window of the bus and the traffic wasn't bad even though it slowed in a few places. We arrived at Victoria Station in record time before 1pm. June's sister was waiting for her and we parted ways. I walked to the main station for the Underground and trains, not sure which one I was supposed to take to meet Simon Cathcart on the way to see my cousin, Laura.

The next two hours were a complete set of misadventures. If you do not want to read each minute detail, please skip to the *** below.

I wandered aimlessly looking for an information booth. When I finally found it there was a line with at least 15 people in it. I looked for an Underground line map and finally found one. I thought I was looking for a Times Square station (which there is none). I decided to call Simon. He said I was to get on the Underground and go to the SLOAN SQUARE station - one stop away.

I found a seat in the station and opened up my carry-on bag to retrieve my Oyster card - the method of payment for the Underground, which I saved from my first day in London. I had no idea if anything was left on it, so I waited in line at the ticket machine. There was only 10 pence. The sign said it was $4 to the next station. What?! I didn't remember the Underground costing so much.

I walked around the station looking for an ATM. Then I waited in line to find out my card was STILL not working. I went back to the seat where I took out my phone and called my bank. It was closed. I called it again to access the "automatic teller" but pushed the wrong number. I called again, and again. Finally I got through to the right place and checked my balance. It said the amount was plentiful and then it said your "available balance" is negative blah-blah amount. Great. I called my mom in the US to ask what time it was - 6am. Urgh!!! Three hours until the bank opens. And my minutes ran out.

Undeterred, I walked over to the exchange counter and asked how much I would get for $10 Euros. The answer: $5 Pounds. What?! "Is the rate that bad?" "No, there are fees." Urgh!! Now I was faced with EITHER using the money for the Underground OR the phone minutes. If I got the minutes, I would be stuck at the station for 3 hours. If I put it on the Oyster card, I could get to the next station but have no way to call Simon (with whom I could pass some time waiting for the bank to open). But maybe I could use someone's phone?

I was opting for the latter when I decided to count my change and ask what I would get for my 2 US Dollars. With just a few pence to spare, I got $10 Pounds from the exchange, enough for both the Oyster card ($5 minimum) AND the T-Mobile phone minutes ($5 minimum). I was on my way. It was almost 3pm.

***

I met Simon at a Nero Cafe. We chatted a bit about the current state of filmmaking as it relates to the distribution system which is quickly becoming outdated. He had to run and was kind enough to set me up with a cup of coffee and a muffin for my wait until the bank opened when I could straighten out my finances and continue my transportation to visit my cousin, Laura.

I had been keeping Laura updated throughout the day about my situation and potential arrival north of London at the Broxbourne Station. She had set Saturday aside for me since she had an appointment on Sunday. Around 6pm I attempted to call my mom to check out how her conversation went with the bank. "Call me back in 10 minutes - I'm on the phone with them now," was her response. When I dialed 15 minutes later, there wasn't enough money left to make the call. Urgh!!

I bet on waiting another hour for the bank to activate some money, at which time I could call my mom again after buying more minutes. I added some hot water to stretch my cup of coffee a little longer and did crossword puzzles. I sent a text message to my friend, Tom, from my first visit to London. I also sent one to Laura alerting her to the situation.

I ventured forth from the Nero Cafe at 7pm. When I found an ATM, it still didn't work. Urgh! Maybe two hours would do it? I hoped so. I walked back to the Sloan station where I noticed a message from Tom. He could meet me at Sloan Station. Finally a little good luck. I asked a girl waiting for some friends if I could use her phone and she was kind enough to do so. Tom said he would be there in a half hour.

I was so glad to see a friendly face when he walked out of the station - my knight in shining armor! We walked over to the ATM and - wah-la - it worked! I got out $40 Pounds. By then I was hungry and it was getting so late. I wanted to get a phone card, but Tom suggested I wait and use his phone. Just when I was going to, Laura rang me. I decided to stay the night at Tom's again and see Laura in the morning before her appointment. She's planning a trip to Cambodia and I really wanted to share any information that would be helpful.

Tom and I dropped off my bags at his place and went to the corner pub for a drink. Then we went to The Oxford where we both ordered ribeye steak - it was sooo good and you have to pay A LOT for a good steak in Cambodia. During dinner we talked about history during the French Indochina period. It reminded him of a movie, The Quiet American, starring Michael Caine and Brenden Frasier. He had a copy so we watched it when we got back to his place. I fell fast asleep as soon as it was done.

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