Traveling Part 3: A Walk in the Park

Entry #4

5:48pm (London), 1:49pm (home)
April 29th, 2017
London
Heathrow Airport

We are all sitting down now, simply resting our feet before we carry our bags through security (I've realised I don't like that part of the flying experience very much, though it could go better this time, as yesterday a small error caused me to lose some of my sunscreen).

Despite arriving in London early in the morning, we were slow to start our day of exploration, sluggish due to having gotten little sleep on our shaky and hot flight. I did however enjoy the in-flight film I watched, Hacksaw Ridge (The previous flight, I saw Window Horses, which I also enjoyed but did not mention).

After running around looking for anyone who could help us navigate the surprisingly confusing layout of the transit  system from the airport, we were off on the next exciting part of our adventures.

We did a lot of walking, in awe of Paddington Station. We enjoyed the charm of the calm streets and adored our time spent at Hyde park.

Paddington Station

We are just about to go through security, and I have my fingers crossed that I adjusted my bags and so nothing will go wrong.

...

*Update*
6:53pm

I went through and got stopped because apparently my bag full of film equipment looked suspicious.

This resulted in all of the equipment being removed, and myself receiving a pat-down.

I also answered every time the woman there asked me what one of the pieces of equipment was ("That's a microphone" And "That's a part of the camera" and  "That's a different kind of microphone").

The whole experience wasn't too bad. It simply meant everyone else had to wait to see what was going on. It definitely didn't spoil my good mood either, I had too good a time the rest of the day.

Now we are waiting to board another plane so we can continue our journey to Tanzania.

Next stop: Johannesburg!

Traveling: Part 2 (A Happy Fluke)

Entry #3

8:31pm
April 28th, 2017
Toronto Pearson Airport
Flight to London

Okay, so here I am currently on a plane that has yet to take off, which will soon be on its way to London (a fact I have not completely digested mentally) and I am likely going to sleep the whole way there.

What a nice relaxing day, I must say.

Starting off with a pleasant breakfast at the hotel, we set out to the airport to store our heftier luggage, before we split up to walk around and explore our surroundings.

We spent much of our time admiring architecture, browsing through the St. Lawrence Market, interacting with the local wildlife, and eating chicken.

Some food at the market

We faced a few twists and turns, especially when we were tricked into entering a store we didn't plan to shop at (though it did end up being an interesting experience that resulted in me getting  a pair of stone pigeons for free....so there's that).

The whole day was very calming and I appreciated the downtime.

Now we are about to take off on our next leg of the journey. (Also, pictures to follow, once I can actually sit down and post them. So, likely on the next post)

First Part of the Trip (Kinda)

Entry #2

2:20am

April 28th, 2017

Toronto ON

Holiday Express Inn

So I woke up early in the morning at my apartment, took out my garbage and cleaned up a bit, unplugged my appliances and shut my windows. All ready with my large bags fulls of clothes and camera equipment, I set out on my journey to Tanzania. 

As soon as my foot went out the door, the rain came down. Hard. 

So, instead of going to the bus stop (an endeavor which would have soaked all of my baggage within 60 seconds), I called a cab to at least take me to the Dartmouth bridge terminal, where I caught a bus the rest of the way to the airport. 

The Halifax airport posed no issues, beyond sending me on a wild-goose-chase-like search for a way to print off some important documents. 

The flight to Toronto was fine. Fairly short and sweet and giving me some needed shut-eye. However, shortly before arriving we came into our complications for the day.

Some poor weather and technical difficulties with our plane caused us to arrive very late, missing our second planned flight (this one to Zurich, which would in turn connect to Tanzania). We soon were re-booked onto a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, in place of Zurich. 

Unfortunately, an error was made as that flight was already overbooked. This caused our plans to change yet again. Instead of heading anywhere, we were put up in a hotel for the night (not too bad, as I got my own large room, and of course sleep deprivation persuaded me to obey the childish me and build a pillow fort). Tomorrow we shall spend the day in Toronto, later that night flying to LONDON! Which is a whole other dream come true. We will then be spending a day there, followed by a night flight to Johannesburg, followed by our final arrival in Tanzania to begin our real adventure. 

Despite the delays and complications, I had a wonderful day and will no doubt enjoy the next few travel days ahead. 

Now goodnight.

Fort Sleep Loss

Our plane did a bunch of weird loops to avoid bad weather, which also delayed our arrival

Pre-Departure ('twas the night before)

Personal Entry #1

11:01pm

April 26th, 2017

Dartmouth NS

My Apartment

Well, here goes. I am currently sitting in my strangely balanced computer chair listening to the oddly comforting cacophony of humming from my refrigerator, my fan, and now, of course, my computer.

My luggage still looks very much like a bomb recently went off, though more like a tiny non violent bomb that weirdly places folded clothes and camera equipment in neat piles, and less like an actual...bomb.

It is a bit late to be packing surely but that’s besides the point because what really matters is the fact that I’m going to Tanzania! I am so excited to head out and get some work done and meet new people and see a different culture and a new place and maybe take a picture of an elephant.

This is really an amazing opportunity and I’m so glad. I will be sure to not let anybody down and will do my part.

I hope to record a short vlog entry prior to heading out the door to catch my bus. This will likely be included as part of my personal film from this project. So now back to packing and picking clothes and getting some sleep maybe!

Wish me luck :)

Carter Thurber

NSCC Waterfront Campus

Screen Arts Year 1

Filmmaker