Aunt Gus and Crew: Europe and Beyond
Book 5 in the Aunt Gus Series
Nairobi Airport (NBO) @9:20 am fly to London Heathrow arrive @ 4:15 pm same day (8 hrs 55 minutes) – again with the first class but rather than Tommi it was Mr. Dutton who arranged it. Just glad it wasn’t coming out of our budget. Gained two hours but our bodies were telling us it was 6:15 pm
O.M.G. Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in the United Kingdom and is the 7th busiest in the world. No freaking kidding. I felt like a newb ant in an ant mound that was way too big with way too many soldier ants directing and telling me what to do. It serves more than 80 million passengers every year and operates with more than 80 airlines. I like me some chain of command probably more than your average ant but gee whiz.
We took “The Tube” (mind the gap) – London’s version of a subway – and with both Lev and Sadie knowing the system it was easy to get on, even with our luggage. Because that was the one thing that hadn’t been arranged, how to get from the airport to our hotel: the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. It took a little over an hour to get to the station nearest the hotel, then we climbed back to the surface and walked the remainder of the way toting our luggage with us. We looked pretty rough … liked we’d just come from being on a safari or something ha ha … but the concierge dude never even blinked. He just called a porter over and with all smiles got us signed in. Made me think that they knew we’d be arriving and I was correct.
A package was waiting on us when we arrived. A note from Tommi on the very top said to tell Sadie that she included a bit of make-up for me and if she can get me to wear some, she’d earn her spot in the hall of fame. Sadie laughed at that and then really laughed when I showed her that Tommi’s cotton candy pink hair was now pumpkin orange with green tips for that seasonal touch. She was surprised but also appreciated that some age-appropriate make up had been included for her as well.
I’m glad that Sadie was laughing as I had helped her through a few tears when her grandfather and brothers had simply disappeared due to a sudden change in their travel plans. No goodbyes, nothing. I just don’t understand how they can be like they are. I suppose there is a lot more emotional damage or baggage or something from Sadie’s father’s debacle of a second marriage than I have all the details of.
Lev had to get straight to work and the idea of shopping for clothes horrified Benny, but it is what we needed to do as soon as possible. I looked at Sadie and asked, “Are you going to freak out too?”
“They’re gents. It’s what they do, but I have an idea. There is a Primark on Oxford Street. Ten-minute walk from here,” she said sticking her phone in my face with a map app pulled up. “We can grab a taxi back if we wind up with too many bags, but walking the wiggles off sounds good.”
Lev had been listening then turning a bit disgruntled (while I was thinking getting the wiggles out sounded good as well) he asked, “And how do you know how to get around in freaking London at your age?”
She shrugged. “Had to. There wasn’t always someone to go with me, so it was either learn or go without and wear my school uniform all the time or do for myself. What do you call it? The rest is TMI for guys.”
Lev tried not to panic but quickly turned to me. “You up for it? I’ll keep Benny here, but I really do need to get some prep work done.”
Holding the correspondence I read it again and then explained, “Tommi says the safari clothes aren’t going to work for this part of the Assignment.” I snorted and muttered, “Some pieces might if I can get things washed properly but some of this stuff isn’t much longer for this world. I’m no clothes hog but even I’m getting a wee bit tired of nothing but tans and browns. I want something navy … or at least blue of some type … and some new next to my skin.”
The tops of Lev’s ears turned red and he quickly handed me the card that had been in the manilla envelope. “Have at it. Er …”
“I know your style and sizes. Same for Benny Big Ears over there including the extra inches he needs on his pants.” The boy in question snickered. “I’ll call if there is a problem.”
“I’ll order in some dinner.” I opened my mouth then closed it. He assured me, “There’s per diem Gus. They know where we are staying – they arranged it – and I’m not going cheap on the food for the kids.”
Feeling a little cornered I said, “I’m not second guessing you.”
“I know. Hamster control is in gear. And you need to eat something too. I’ll see if they have any decent salads and if not, I’ll send out for something through the concierge.”
All I could do was nod as Sadie and I headed out into London with me trying to play adult and not freak out. On the ground floor and moving out Sadie said reading my mind to an uncomfortable degree, “You don’t need to worry, that’s what a concierge is for. They arrange things for hotel guests and people that live in hotels … tours, transportation, reservations. Grandfather said that a good Concierge is worth their salary and quarterly bonuses, and he is even closer with his money than you are.”
Curious despite myself I asked her, “Do you know anything about the ones here?”
“It’s London and it’s a Hyatt. The concierge is gonna be good or they wouldn’t have the job.” Changing the subject she said, “See that big green space? That’s Hyde Park. If Benny has the wiggles tomorrow, we can come over here and walk them off. And that’s the Marble Arch.”
Putting a few things together I said, “This is your home ground isn’t it. Is it upsetting you?”
“Not really. I mean memories and stuff are crowding a little, kinda trying to get in the way of my new life, but mostly it is just this is where I went to school. I went to JAGS prep and then JAGS.”
“Boarding school right?”
She snorted. “More like prison. I hated being there. I hated being away when I was stuck at whatever place Grandfather stuck me. This is the first time …”
“First time what?” I asked as we waited to cross Oxford Street to get to the store that made me want to wince due to its size.
“That I can imagine life being any other way. I’m not packed up and packed off out of the way. I’m not trying to hide from the posh girls and upper classers. I can walk without having to watch my back. I know you keep telling me that it is going to be different from what I’ve had up until now. You just don’t understand how good that sounds. We’re here.”
Subject was obviously closed, and I could understand the need to have boundaries. Besides it was time to enter the lions’ den and get everyone kitted out.
Shopping will never be my favorite activity, but I’ve matured beyond the point of throwing a tantrum over it. Besides, this was our uniform just like the safari stuff had been. New assignment location, new uniform.
My pieces were all basic and for the most part monochromatic with only a few prints in navy, black, gray, and white except for this one ridiculous dress on the clearance rack that Sadie talked me into just in case we had to “dine out” at some point; a navy-colored summer boho thing that I’ll have to wear a sweater with given the temps we are probably looking at. It was a weak moment I tell you, I was simply overwhelmed by the list of our needs. There was also a skirt that came to my knees that mixed and matched with several of the tops. If I must have a “splash of color” as Tommi mentioned, then I will use scarves. It can be my new hobby … collecting scarves since apparently I need to develop one as a “thang” for the show, a comedic relief, sorta like Lev’s socks and odd t-shirts.
I chose a pair of slippers in black for dress, a pair of black loafers for casual walking, and a pair of dark navy shoes that could pass as waterproof hikers since the ones I had in Africa were ready for cremation. I should have done it there and spread their ashes where they gave up their life. A fitting end to a heroic act. I was the only person that hadn’t gotten a single blister. I’m keeping my camp and shower shoes and everyone except Benny could do the same. The boy doesn’t just have big ears, now he has grown big feet.
Sadie nearly passed out when I asked her what she wanted to wear for the next couple of months. She wound up with a wardrobe like mine only with lighter colors and all the mix-and-match outfits she could layer. She may be fourteen but apparently these are the first “adult-ish” clothes she’s ever had besides what she wore on safari and even then, you could tell it was for a girl rather than a teen. She needs a jacket, but she didn’t see one she cared for. The ones that fit her reminded her too much of her school uniform. And I admitted to her that I wouldn’t have chosen any of the rubber-ducky designs either.
For now, she’ll keep the light jacket she had on safari. It, as well as a few other items, were sent to the hotel’s laundry service and will be ready tomorrow. For shoes we got her loafers, a pair of slip on’s for dress, and a pair of suede-look walking boots that laced up. She was so thrilled with her new clothes she picked an outfit to wear back to the hotel. In a strange way I felt like Grandma Barry when she’d take me on a “girls’ day” for “private shopping time.” Which in turn reminded me, in addition to new lingerie, we needed to make a quick stop at what passes for a Walgreens here. Both she and I needed to resupply our feminine hygiene needs and Lev needed a few things as well, and Benny needed some deodorant. He’s definitely developing some boy stink; his 10th birthday is just in a couple of weeks. He’s thrilled that he and Sadie have “next door birthdays” meaning Sadie’s is the day right after his. I’ve got to figure this stuff out.
Speaking of, Benny was the easiest to shop for. Super casual and comfortable. I need to take the trackers out of the safari clothes and switch them to his new wardrobe. I also need to go over all of them for tags and stickers that Benny won’t tolerate.
“I can help,” Sadie said with a grin.
“Who do you think you are? Cinderella?”
She grinned bigger realizing that I was both joking and serious, and that I didn’t expect her to take care of Benny 24/7. “We had to take care of our clothes at school. The dorm mothers were always on about how they weren’t our slaves. So, I can sew and stuff.”
“Cool beans,” I told her which she still seems to think endlessly hilarious when I say it. “You still don’t need to play chamber maid or whatever they’re called. Just keep up with your stuff and we’ll call it good. Benny needs to do more for himself. I keep forgetting how old he is getting. I was doing a lot of things at this age he isn’t doing. Mostly out of necessity,” I muttered as I was looking at a couple of sports bras. “I was really hard on my clothes and my Grandfather and Dad got bent about it as they thought I was being careless on purpose. Wasn’t. I was just as hard on my clothes as I was hard on everything else in my life back then.”
Lev wound up being the problem. He is as bad as Benny when it comes to tags in his clothes, and he is also particular. Even on safari his socks became a joke. Little did anyone know his boxers had a lot of personality as well, thanks to yours truly. I suppose we can look for odd things to replace what he had to leave behind. For now, I’ve just bought him some plain oxford button downs to go over t-shirts, similar to what I got for Benny.
For Lev’s sock fetish Sadie knew of a shop just a couple of doors down. It was a tourist kind of hole in the wall but there was a wall of weird socks.
“Perfect,” I said as Sadie got the giggles … again. She smiles and laughs more and more as time passes. It tells me we are doing the right thing by her. The hamster just reminds me she needs to level off at some point and not tip into straight jacket territory.
We got back to the hotel at the same time food arrived to the room. Lev was a little distracted and I told him to take our room and I’d move all the luggage and stuff into the connecting room. He’d do the work thing and I would do the other stuff that needed doing. Starting with sending Benny into the en suite bathroom to shower the stink off before trying on his new wardrobe.
Tonight we finished deciding what to keep of our safari wardrobe and what could be donated, and what simply needed to be tossed in a bin (English term for trash can). Sadie and I found a couple of holes that need to be filled – a sewing kit that has the right color thread in it, more waxing strips as Sadie prefers the torture of waxing to the torture of razor rash, we all could stand new toothbrushes and “tooth powder,” and a few other odds and ends. Lev and Benny also need a jacket and tie because sometimes we will apparently need to “dress” for dinner, particularly during our stay in Paris. We have a list and will get it cleared off tomorrow before we join the tour we’ve been assigned to, which won’t be until 3 pm during a meet and great teatime sort of thing.
Sadie finally has the arm strength to get a full regulation push up. She is so proud of herself. I am too. She’s been trying so hard, and I’ve been making sure she gets the good fats in her diet and not just the “diet” stuff so popular with most girls (and women). She’s up to ten sit ups as well. She’s still skinny as a post but her arms have some definition to them as do her legs.
Benny is very athletic and turning more so. Not the sports kind of athletic but hiker, swimmer, outdoorsy farm boy kind of athletic. It makes it difficult for people to judge his age. His height also confuses people. He and Sadie are roughly the same height, and he is actually more filled out than she is though his face is still “young” while hers is maturing fast, especially now that she is allowed to dress her age more.
It is very funny to realize people are subconsciously trying to figure out how our family is put together. There is Lev with his Scandinavian looks. That could account for how pale Sadie is except for her distinctly English accent. Then I’m getting darker with age … my hair isn’t just brown anymore but is a dark brunette even when it is in the sun. Between the olive complexion and the corkscrew springs on my head, people think I am likely odd man out and/or biracial. Especially if I have to employ my Spanish vocabulary. Benny can fall in-between Lev and I. Until he opens his mouth and people understand that he is fluent in Spanish as well. I can tell their brain just does not compute the sum and it makes me want to laugh.
Book 5 in the Aunt Gus Series
Sep 12 – travel day
Nairobi Airport (NBO) @9:20 am fly to London Heathrow arrive @ 4:15 pm same day (8 hrs 55 minutes) – again with the first class but rather than Tommi it was Mr. Dutton who arranged it. Just glad it wasn’t coming out of our budget. Gained two hours but our bodies were telling us it was 6:15 pm
O.M.G. Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in the United Kingdom and is the 7th busiest in the world. No freaking kidding. I felt like a newb ant in an ant mound that was way too big with way too many soldier ants directing and telling me what to do. It serves more than 80 million passengers every year and operates with more than 80 airlines. I like me some chain of command probably more than your average ant but gee whiz.
We took “The Tube” (mind the gap) – London’s version of a subway – and with both Lev and Sadie knowing the system it was easy to get on, even with our luggage. Because that was the one thing that hadn’t been arranged, how to get from the airport to our hotel: the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill. It took a little over an hour to get to the station nearest the hotel, then we climbed back to the surface and walked the remainder of the way toting our luggage with us. We looked pretty rough … liked we’d just come from being on a safari or something ha ha … but the concierge dude never even blinked. He just called a porter over and with all smiles got us signed in. Made me think that they knew we’d be arriving and I was correct.
A package was waiting on us when we arrived. A note from Tommi on the very top said to tell Sadie that she included a bit of make-up for me and if she can get me to wear some, she’d earn her spot in the hall of fame. Sadie laughed at that and then really laughed when I showed her that Tommi’s cotton candy pink hair was now pumpkin orange with green tips for that seasonal touch. She was surprised but also appreciated that some age-appropriate make up had been included for her as well.
I’m glad that Sadie was laughing as I had helped her through a few tears when her grandfather and brothers had simply disappeared due to a sudden change in their travel plans. No goodbyes, nothing. I just don’t understand how they can be like they are. I suppose there is a lot more emotional damage or baggage or something from Sadie’s father’s debacle of a second marriage than I have all the details of.
Lev had to get straight to work and the idea of shopping for clothes horrified Benny, but it is what we needed to do as soon as possible. I looked at Sadie and asked, “Are you going to freak out too?”
“They’re gents. It’s what they do, but I have an idea. There is a Primark on Oxford Street. Ten-minute walk from here,” she said sticking her phone in my face with a map app pulled up. “We can grab a taxi back if we wind up with too many bags, but walking the wiggles off sounds good.”
Lev had been listening then turning a bit disgruntled (while I was thinking getting the wiggles out sounded good as well) he asked, “And how do you know how to get around in freaking London at your age?”
She shrugged. “Had to. There wasn’t always someone to go with me, so it was either learn or go without and wear my school uniform all the time or do for myself. What do you call it? The rest is TMI for guys.”
Lev tried not to panic but quickly turned to me. “You up for it? I’ll keep Benny here, but I really do need to get some prep work done.”
Holding the correspondence I read it again and then explained, “Tommi says the safari clothes aren’t going to work for this part of the Assignment.” I snorted and muttered, “Some pieces might if I can get things washed properly but some of this stuff isn’t much longer for this world. I’m no clothes hog but even I’m getting a wee bit tired of nothing but tans and browns. I want something navy … or at least blue of some type … and some new next to my skin.”
The tops of Lev’s ears turned red and he quickly handed me the card that had been in the manilla envelope. “Have at it. Er …”
“I know your style and sizes. Same for Benny Big Ears over there including the extra inches he needs on his pants.” The boy in question snickered. “I’ll call if there is a problem.”
“I’ll order in some dinner.” I opened my mouth then closed it. He assured me, “There’s per diem Gus. They know where we are staying – they arranged it – and I’m not going cheap on the food for the kids.”
Feeling a little cornered I said, “I’m not second guessing you.”
“I know. Hamster control is in gear. And you need to eat something too. I’ll see if they have any decent salads and if not, I’ll send out for something through the concierge.”
All I could do was nod as Sadie and I headed out into London with me trying to play adult and not freak out. On the ground floor and moving out Sadie said reading my mind to an uncomfortable degree, “You don’t need to worry, that’s what a concierge is for. They arrange things for hotel guests and people that live in hotels … tours, transportation, reservations. Grandfather said that a good Concierge is worth their salary and quarterly bonuses, and he is even closer with his money than you are.”
Curious despite myself I asked her, “Do you know anything about the ones here?”
“It’s London and it’s a Hyatt. The concierge is gonna be good or they wouldn’t have the job.” Changing the subject she said, “See that big green space? That’s Hyde Park. If Benny has the wiggles tomorrow, we can come over here and walk them off. And that’s the Marble Arch.”
Putting a few things together I said, “This is your home ground isn’t it. Is it upsetting you?”
“Not really. I mean memories and stuff are crowding a little, kinda trying to get in the way of my new life, but mostly it is just this is where I went to school. I went to JAGS prep and then JAGS.”
“Boarding school right?”
She snorted. “More like prison. I hated being there. I hated being away when I was stuck at whatever place Grandfather stuck me. This is the first time …”
“First time what?” I asked as we waited to cross Oxford Street to get to the store that made me want to wince due to its size.
“That I can imagine life being any other way. I’m not packed up and packed off out of the way. I’m not trying to hide from the posh girls and upper classers. I can walk without having to watch my back. I know you keep telling me that it is going to be different from what I’ve had up until now. You just don’t understand how good that sounds. We’re here.”
Subject was obviously closed, and I could understand the need to have boundaries. Besides it was time to enter the lions’ den and get everyone kitted out.
Shopping will never be my favorite activity, but I’ve matured beyond the point of throwing a tantrum over it. Besides, this was our uniform just like the safari stuff had been. New assignment location, new uniform.
My pieces were all basic and for the most part monochromatic with only a few prints in navy, black, gray, and white except for this one ridiculous dress on the clearance rack that Sadie talked me into just in case we had to “dine out” at some point; a navy-colored summer boho thing that I’ll have to wear a sweater with given the temps we are probably looking at. It was a weak moment I tell you, I was simply overwhelmed by the list of our needs. There was also a skirt that came to my knees that mixed and matched with several of the tops. If I must have a “splash of color” as Tommi mentioned, then I will use scarves. It can be my new hobby … collecting scarves since apparently I need to develop one as a “thang” for the show, a comedic relief, sorta like Lev’s socks and odd t-shirts.
I chose a pair of slippers in black for dress, a pair of black loafers for casual walking, and a pair of dark navy shoes that could pass as waterproof hikers since the ones I had in Africa were ready for cremation. I should have done it there and spread their ashes where they gave up their life. A fitting end to a heroic act. I was the only person that hadn’t gotten a single blister. I’m keeping my camp and shower shoes and everyone except Benny could do the same. The boy doesn’t just have big ears, now he has grown big feet.
Sadie nearly passed out when I asked her what she wanted to wear for the next couple of months. She wound up with a wardrobe like mine only with lighter colors and all the mix-and-match outfits she could layer. She may be fourteen but apparently these are the first “adult-ish” clothes she’s ever had besides what she wore on safari and even then, you could tell it was for a girl rather than a teen. She needs a jacket, but she didn’t see one she cared for. The ones that fit her reminded her too much of her school uniform. And I admitted to her that I wouldn’t have chosen any of the rubber-ducky designs either.
For now, she’ll keep the light jacket she had on safari. It, as well as a few other items, were sent to the hotel’s laundry service and will be ready tomorrow. For shoes we got her loafers, a pair of slip on’s for dress, and a pair of suede-look walking boots that laced up. She was so thrilled with her new clothes she picked an outfit to wear back to the hotel. In a strange way I felt like Grandma Barry when she’d take me on a “girls’ day” for “private shopping time.” Which in turn reminded me, in addition to new lingerie, we needed to make a quick stop at what passes for a Walgreens here. Both she and I needed to resupply our feminine hygiene needs and Lev needed a few things as well, and Benny needed some deodorant. He’s definitely developing some boy stink; his 10th birthday is just in a couple of weeks. He’s thrilled that he and Sadie have “next door birthdays” meaning Sadie’s is the day right after his. I’ve got to figure this stuff out.
Speaking of, Benny was the easiest to shop for. Super casual and comfortable. I need to take the trackers out of the safari clothes and switch them to his new wardrobe. I also need to go over all of them for tags and stickers that Benny won’t tolerate.
“I can help,” Sadie said with a grin.
“Who do you think you are? Cinderella?”
She grinned bigger realizing that I was both joking and serious, and that I didn’t expect her to take care of Benny 24/7. “We had to take care of our clothes at school. The dorm mothers were always on about how they weren’t our slaves. So, I can sew and stuff.”
“Cool beans,” I told her which she still seems to think endlessly hilarious when I say it. “You still don’t need to play chamber maid or whatever they’re called. Just keep up with your stuff and we’ll call it good. Benny needs to do more for himself. I keep forgetting how old he is getting. I was doing a lot of things at this age he isn’t doing. Mostly out of necessity,” I muttered as I was looking at a couple of sports bras. “I was really hard on my clothes and my Grandfather and Dad got bent about it as they thought I was being careless on purpose. Wasn’t. I was just as hard on my clothes as I was hard on everything else in my life back then.”
Lev wound up being the problem. He is as bad as Benny when it comes to tags in his clothes, and he is also particular. Even on safari his socks became a joke. Little did anyone know his boxers had a lot of personality as well, thanks to yours truly. I suppose we can look for odd things to replace what he had to leave behind. For now, I’ve just bought him some plain oxford button downs to go over t-shirts, similar to what I got for Benny.
For Lev’s sock fetish Sadie knew of a shop just a couple of doors down. It was a tourist kind of hole in the wall but there was a wall of weird socks.
“Perfect,” I said as Sadie got the giggles … again. She smiles and laughs more and more as time passes. It tells me we are doing the right thing by her. The hamster just reminds me she needs to level off at some point and not tip into straight jacket territory.
We got back to the hotel at the same time food arrived to the room. Lev was a little distracted and I told him to take our room and I’d move all the luggage and stuff into the connecting room. He’d do the work thing and I would do the other stuff that needed doing. Starting with sending Benny into the en suite bathroom to shower the stink off before trying on his new wardrobe.
Tonight we finished deciding what to keep of our safari wardrobe and what could be donated, and what simply needed to be tossed in a bin (English term for trash can). Sadie and I found a couple of holes that need to be filled – a sewing kit that has the right color thread in it, more waxing strips as Sadie prefers the torture of waxing to the torture of razor rash, we all could stand new toothbrushes and “tooth powder,” and a few other odds and ends. Lev and Benny also need a jacket and tie because sometimes we will apparently need to “dress” for dinner, particularly during our stay in Paris. We have a list and will get it cleared off tomorrow before we join the tour we’ve been assigned to, which won’t be until 3 pm during a meet and great teatime sort of thing.
Sadie finally has the arm strength to get a full regulation push up. She is so proud of herself. I am too. She’s been trying so hard, and I’ve been making sure she gets the good fats in her diet and not just the “diet” stuff so popular with most girls (and women). She’s up to ten sit ups as well. She’s still skinny as a post but her arms have some definition to them as do her legs.
Benny is very athletic and turning more so. Not the sports kind of athletic but hiker, swimmer, outdoorsy farm boy kind of athletic. It makes it difficult for people to judge his age. His height also confuses people. He and Sadie are roughly the same height, and he is actually more filled out than she is though his face is still “young” while hers is maturing fast, especially now that she is allowed to dress her age more.
It is very funny to realize people are subconsciously trying to figure out how our family is put together. There is Lev with his Scandinavian looks. That could account for how pale Sadie is except for her distinctly English accent. Then I’m getting darker with age … my hair isn’t just brown anymore but is a dark brunette even when it is in the sun. Between the olive complexion and the corkscrew springs on my head, people think I am likely odd man out and/or biracial. Especially if I have to employ my Spanish vocabulary. Benny can fall in-between Lev and I. Until he opens his mouth and people understand that he is fluent in Spanish as well. I can tell their brain just does not compute the sum and it makes me want to laugh.
