“I’ll lend you a hand when you need the help.”

The Beginning of Something -P2

Do I really need to write anything here? Okay, so this is the second part of my reader insert series that is rewriting the ending of BBC’s Merlin (based on 5x9).  That being said, get ready for the rollercoaster of emotions that is Merlin. Also, you can find more of my writing: Here.

The next day, against Merlin and Gaius’ better judgment, you started as Gwen’s handmaid. During the night, Merlin had proven to Arthur, that Gwen was enchanted by Morgana. Merlin filled you in and asked you to keep an eye on Gwen and try to keep her distracted.

Tiana Giaga. That is the ritual that was able to break the soul to the point that a person fell prey to the desires of whoever cast it. That meant it would be nearly impossible to restore Gwen. It was after you were dismissed that night that you found Merlin distractedly reading as he was headed from the library to his chambers. 

“Find anything interesting?” you asked curiously, managing to spook Merlin in the process. 

“Oh, hello Y/n, I was just doing some research. How was your first day?”

“Uneventful, which is good all things considered,” you said glancing at the book Merlin had been reading so intently, “Have you figured anything out concerning Gwen’s status?” 

“Nothing good, I’m afraid,” he glanced around to make sure their were no unwanted ears near, “She was affected by something called the Tiana Giaga, and Gaius doesn’t think there is a cure,” seeing the way you tensed up at the mention of Tiana Giaga he asked, “Have you heard of it?”

“Unfortunately, I have,” you replied softly as unwanted images were brought to memory. 

“Do you know how we can save Gwen?”

“Merlin, this is dark magic, from what you have told me it is beyond anything you have seen before. No one has ever been brought back from this ritual without one of the high priestesses themselves being involved.”

“But there is a way to do it? How?” Merlin asked a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“You would have to go to the Cauldron of Arianrhod, Gwen would have to willingly enter the water, and then the white goddess must be summoned, but is not a task to be underestimated.”

“Wow, that’s a lot to take in. It seems impossible,” Merlin frowned.

“Not impossible, just not something you can do alone,” you tried to reassure him.

“I have to go talk to Gaius, thank you so much Y/n,” Merlin said before turning back towards his chambers.

“You’re welcome,” you called after him.

He discussed this new information with Gaius and together they formulated a plan. One that involved both you and Arthur. It was soon thereafter that Merlin snuck into Arthur and Gwen’s shared chambers and woke Arthur to inform him of the plan. Arthur was extremely hesitant, as there was much that could go wrong and it was Gwen’s life that was at stake. Furthermore, Arthur was against having you involved at all, however, Merlin was eventually able to convince him. Merlin went to you and explained everything that was going on, together the two of you prepared everything that you would need for the impending departure.

The next morning at the break of dawn, you and Merlin slipped Gwen a few drops of the potion Gaius had created to keep her unconscious. Arthur was getting the horses and supplies. You and Merlin brought Gwen out to meet him, careful not to be seen.

“Y/n, I want to personally thank you for helping us with this endeavor, Merlin assures me that there is no one he trusts more. I will not forget this and hope one day to repay you,” Arthur spoke as he took Gwen from the two of you and placed her on his horse. 

“It is an honor to be of assistance, your highness,” you answered. 

“Please, there are no need for formalities here, call me Arthur,” he replied. 

“We really need to be off,” Merlin reminded as he loaded the last of the supplies.

“Of course,” you agreed, mounting your horse. 

The three of you rode well into the day, Arthur took the opportunity to get to know you better. Merlin was glad to see the two of you hit it off so well, despite the circumstances. He could already tell that you and Arthur were going to be great friends. It was as you reached the mountains that both you and Merlin sensed something. You were being watched.

“What’s wrong Merlin you look like you’ve seen a dragon?” Arthur joked. 

“We are not alone out here,” Merlin answered solemnly. 

“One of your funny feelings then?” Arthur asked. Merlin nodded and Arthur sighed, “All right then, we tether the horses and go off the path on foot.”

 You did as Arthur said. 

“What about the supplies?” Merlin asked.

“You’ll manage,” Arthur decided. 

“What about you?”

“I’ll be carrying Gwenuivere.”

“Oh come one, she is half the weight of this lot.”

“Merlin, what are you suggesting?”

“I’ll take Gwenuivere, you get the supplies.”

“She’s my wife!”

“I’d be careful,” Merlin explained. 

“And, you are the servant,” Arthur reminded. 

“Besides, I am here to help you Merlin,” you added with a grin before taking half of the supplies. 

“Y/n you really don’t have to-” Merlin started.

“Nonesense, I didn’t come out here sit idle and look pretty. Now come on,”  you said before marching forward past both him and Arthur, who both looked after you slightly dumbfounded.

Arthur and Merlin were talking somewhat behind you, and as Arthur was distracted you took the opportunity to use your magic. First, you used a spell to lighten both your and Merlin’s loads. Second, you used your powers to see the path ahead, which was seemingly clear. It was as you finished that you felt a jolt in your chest which was immediately followed by Arthur shouting for Merlin. You turned around to see that he was laying at the bottom of the dropoff.

Without hesitation, Arthur gently set Gwen on the ground, “Stay here and protect her, I’m going down to make sure he is alright.”

“Of course Arthur,” you agreed.

However, it was as Arthur was climbing down the siding that the rocks began to fall. You were too far away to stop them, but quickly made your way down to help. 

“Arthur? Are you alright?” you asked as you went to his side.

“My arm, it’s pinned,” he breathed sharply before remembering, “Check on Merlin.” 

 “He is unconscious, but no signs of injury.” 

You returned to Arthur’s side. Upon further inspection, you realized that the rock was far too heavy for you to move without magic, so you would have to do this the old fashioned way. You found a decent-sized rock and positioned it beside Arthur. 

“Hand me your sword, I am going to wedge this under the rock and use it to lift it up, when I do I need you to pull your arm out quickly and roll out of the way as this boulder will land where you are currently laying, understand?” you asked, preparing yourself. 

“Yes,” Arthur nodded. 

“Okay, 1...2...3” you counted before using your strength to shift the boulder, holding it just long enough for Arthur to clear the spot he was laying. 

“How did you learn to do that?” Arthur asked, relief evident in his features.

“Need I remind you again that I am more than just a pretty face,” you replied smiling and rolling your eyes before refocusing on Merlin. You went over to him and retrieved the drought and handed it to Arthur, “Go up and give Gwen her next dose, make sure no harm comes to her. I will wake up Merlin.”

“Y/n, I am the king, I give the orders.”

“I am sorry,” you replied eyes going wide, “What would you have us do?”

“Calm down Y/n, I was merely jesting,” Arthur replied at seeing your change in expressions. He then took the vile and headed up, being more careful of his footing this time.

As soon as he was out of earshot, you used your powers to heal Merlin. 

“What happened?” Merlin asked shooting up and immediately looking to make sure Arthur was safe. 

“If I had to guess, Morgana has discovered our plans and is attempting to foil them,” you replied and then added, “Arthur is with Gwen, both are safe, but we really need to try to make it farther before nightfall. Are you alright now?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“You can thank me later, now let’s go.”

Merlin climbed up first, and then turned to help you.

“Ah, Merlin, did you enjoy your nap?” Arthur quipped. 

“Not as well as I would have liked, I am afraid rocks do not make good pillows Sire,” Merlin returned.

“Here Arthur, take a moment to eat and drink, as we should try not to break again until nightfall,” you said handing the king the water and some food.

 “You better watch it Merlin, Y/n is well on her way to replace you,” Arthur added as he took what you were handing him.

Merlin was going to reply but was cut off as you came over, “And for you Merlin, best to keep your strength up.”  He was caught off guard, and could not manage to hide his blush before fumbling through a thank you. 

After that break, you all continued on until it was time to make camp for the night. You helped Merlin collect and prepare a fire as Arthur administered Gwen’s next treatment. You prepared dinner as Merlin and Arthur went over the plan again. As soon as you had eaten, Arthur had told you and Merlin to get some sleep as he offered to take the first watch.

It was hours later when you awoke to see Arthur staring sadly at his queen.

“She will be alright,” you reassured.

“How can you be so certain? What if the sorcerer doesn’t agree to help us?  What if we can’t get Gwen to enter the water?”

“I am certain because I believe in you, Arthur. I have only just met you and I would lay my life down for you and your causes. The sorcerer will help because it is you who is asking. And your and Gwen’s love is something no magic could ever destroy, it is that love which will guide her into the water, and that love that will save her,” you answered.

Arthur was slightly taken aback by the sincerity of your reply. He was searching for the words to return, but you beat him to it, “Now, hand me your sword and get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

Normally, Arthur would have refused you, but somehow he knew that you were right and that he could trust you. There was an oddly safe feeling that you brought him and he was learning not to question it. 

Just after sunrise, he awoke to find that you had already prepared breakfast and packed up the site. He looked over to Merlin who was snoring and rolled his eyes. 

Upon hearing him stir you smiled, “I was just about to wake you, I administered the drought to the Queen, and prepared everything, after breakfast we will be ready to leave at your command.” 

“Right, very well, we should eat then. Merlin,” he called.

“Five more minutes,” Merlin mumbled. 

Arthur then took the liberty of using some of his water to wake Merlin properly which earned your laughter and a very offended look from your favorite warlock. After he recovered, you handed him his food and began to eat your own. It wasn’t long before you began your journey for the day. 

All was going well until a white dragon appeared and tried to take you out. Merlin pulled you and Arthur away. 

“Okay then, you take Gwen to the water just beyond that ridge, and I will distract the Dragon,” Merlin spoke. 

“Are you mad?” Arthur asked.

“No, just overly aware of the fact that Gwen is bound to wake up anytime now and we have used the last of the drought,” Merlion replied. 

“Go, Arthur, I will make sure he is okay,” you spoke. 

Again, Arthur didn’t know why, but he knew that he could trust you to do so. He worked up his strength and lifted Gwen, carrying her where Merlin had instructed. Meanwhile, Merlin worked his way to where Aithusa was circling around. He used his Dragon Lord tongue to send her away. You stayed in your hiding spot and watched in awe. Merlin turned back around and started back toward you when Morgana appeared.

She used her powers to knock Merlin backward and hold him down. She was walking towards him, prepared to end him once and for all when you used your powers to knock her out. You rushed forward to Merlin, making sure he was okay before helping him up. The two of you ventured towards Arthur, all to aware of the limitations of time.

“We need to hurry, Morgana is here and will not remain unconscious for long,” Merlin informed Arthur. 

“Okay, so where is this sorceress?” Arthur asked looking around.

“I don’t know Arthur, it’s not like she is going to sit around here all day just waiting for you to show up,” Merlin replied, setting all of his packs down before grabbing his costume. 

“I’ll look this way, you look that way,” you instructed Merlin.

“I don’t like the idea of all of us splitting up like this,” Arthur spoke. 

“It’ll be fine, we’ll each walk 60 paces, if we don't find her then we will turn back. At that distance you’ll be able to hear if we meet any trouble. Besides, Merlin is right, we are running dangerously low on time here.” 

Arthur hesitantly agreed and you went a few paces out of sight and met up with Merlin who used the spell to change himself into an old woman and put on the dress he had packed. You tried very hard to contain your laughter, however, there was no doing so once you heard him speak. 

“Really Y/n? You would laugh at me at a time like this?” 

“I’m sorry, but if you could see yourself you’d be laughing too.”

“Let’s go,” he said begrudgingly.

The two of you emerged from the wooded area and it was clear that Arthur was on edge.

“It’s okay your highness, I explained the situation and she is eager to help,” you assured.

“You are the Dolma?” he asked.

“Who else would I be?’ Merlin sassed.

“Yes. Of course. What do you need me to do?”

“Take your queen and set her by the pool.”

Arthur did as asked and waited as the Dolma scanned Gwen before speaking, “The magic which has ensnared you queen is powerful and dark. It can be broken, but it can also prevail, do you understand that?”

“I do.”

“When I awake her, she must walk into the cauldron of her own will. Everything inside her will fight against it, you must find a connection stronger than the evil Morgana has bestowed upon her. You have to reach the part of your queen which has gone untouched by Morgana.”

Arthur nodded in understanding, and the Dolma uttered the enchantment and Arthur bent down beside Gwen as she woke.  She shot up immediately, “Where am I? What have you done to me?”

“Gwenuiver, my Gwenevier,” Arthur tried as he grabbed her so she couldn’t dart off. 

“Your Gweniuver? You stupid man, I was never yours,” Gwen denied.

“You must reach her Arthur reach out to all that is lost,” Merlin reminded

“You loved me once,” Arthur tried.

“You are easily fooled,” Gwen replied

“You still do.”

“It was a charade, nothing more. Just a means of subterfuge to pass Camelot to its rightful queen.”

You could tell that Arthur was getting desperate as he began to use force to bring her to the water before the Dolma reminded him that it wouldn’t work. 

“Find a memory Arthur, something powerful and full of love. Something that Gwen can hold onto,” you instructed. 

Arthur didn’t even have to consider it before saying, “Do you remember when I asked you to marry me? Do you remember what you said? You said ‘with all my heart’. That’s not trickery or subterfuge,” he started and then he saw it, Gwen’s face softened.

“With all my heart,” he repeated letting go and slowly backing towards the water. 

“With all my heart,” she muttered.

“Come on Gwenuiver, come back to me.”

And then she trudged out to meet him in the water. The Dolma started to use the spell and a white light took over Gwen. As it faded she looked over to Arthur and with tears in her eyes waded over and collided with him with enough force to nearly dunk him under the water. You sent Merlin a smile. He did it, and you were so proud to have witnessed it.

After a moment, Arthur and Gwen remembered that they were not alone, and came back onto the shore. 

“We owe you a great debt, if there is ever anything I can do for you,” Arthur spoke to the sorceress. 

“There is only one thing I desire.” 

“Name it.”

“Remember what it was that saved you queen today. For there is no evil in sorcery, but only in the hearts of men. My request is that you remember this.”

“You have my word,” Arthur replied and looked over to you, “we should get going to avoid Morgana.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” you asked.

Arthur looked down to check that he had his sword and looked over to Gwen to see if he was missing something, “I don’t think so?”

“Maybe a certain, neckerchief wearing servant?” you replied.

“Ah, I thought this had gone unusually, smoothly.”

“I will go find him and send him your way, I know these paths well, he couldn’t have gone far,” the Dolma spoke.

So the three of you started back, and Merlin soon joined you.

“Merlin!” Gwen smiled bringing him into a warm hug. 

“Nice to have you back my queen,” he replied grinning.

The trip back to Camelot was light-hearted, Gwen was even more welcoming to you than Arthur had been. As you worked with Merlin to make camp for the group you took every opportunity to make sure that he was doing alright. You understood, maybe more than he did, that he was supposed to be the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth, but even then… Besides anything that helped distract you from the fact that you were still shaken from your encounter with Morgana was welcomed. 

“Y/n? Are you good?” Merlin spoke pulling you out of your thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry I zoned out for a minute.”

“Thanks again for coming with us today, I don’t want to think about where we would be if you hadn’t.”

“I am confident that you would have figured it out. It’s not like this is your first rodeo.”

“Yeah, I guess, it just all feels different now. Like everything I do is so big like on a fate of Camelot level and no one even knows.”

“I understand, more than you know, and I can assure you that you will not have to face it alone. Not anymore,” you were going to continue talking, but Arthur was calling after the two of you saying that he’d managed to find some rabbits.

That night after everyone else was asleep you allowed your mind to once again drift to Morgana. You wondered if she had seen you before you managed to knock her out. Would she start targeting you again? Would that put Merlin in more danger? You wondered if the prophecies could really be true, protecting Merlin was pretty straight forward, but the rest of it, the part about rewriting destiny and turning the end into the beginning, that you had no clue about. Merlin was right earlier though, everything was starting to feel more drastic and you were not a fan of it.  

@heyrobinstuff​

It is quite fair to say that I became a Socialist in a fashion somewhat similar to the way in which the Teutonic pagans became Christians--it was hammered into me. Not only was I not looking for Socialism at the time of my conversion, but I was fighting it. I was very young and callow, did not know much of anything, and though I had never even heard of a school called "Individualism," I sang the paean of the strong with all my heart.

This was because I was strong myself. By strong I mean that I had good health and hard muscles, both of which possessions are easily accounted for. I had lived my childhood on California ranches, my boyhood hustling newspapers on the streets of a healthy Western city, and my youth on the ozone-laden waters of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. I loved life in the open, and I toiled in the open, at the hardest kinds of work. Learning no trade, but drifting along from job to job, I looked on the world and called it good, every bit of it. Let me repeat, this optimism was because I was healthy and strong, bothered with neither aches nor weaknesses, never turned down by the boss because I did not look fit, able always to get a job at shovelling coal, sailorizing, or manual labor of some sort.

And because of all this, exulting in my young life, able to hold my own at work or fight, I was a rampant individualist. It was very natural. I was a winner. Wherefore I called the game, as I saw it played, or thought I saw it played, a very proper game for MEN. To be a MAN was to write man in large capitals on my heart. To adventure like a man, and fight like a man, and do a man's work (even for a boy's pay)--these were things that reached right in and gripped hold of me as no other thing could. And I looked ahead into long vistas of a hazy and interminable future, into which, playing what I conceived to be MAN'S game, I should continue to travel with unfailing health, without accidents, and with muscles ever vigorous. As I say, this future was interminable. I could see myself only raging through life without end like one of Nietzsche's blond-beasts, lustfully roving and conquering by sheer superiority and strength.

As for the unfortunates, the sick, and ailing, and old, and maimed, I must confess I hardly thought of them at all, save that I vaguely felt that they, barring accidents, could be as good as I if they wanted to real hard, and could work just as well. Accidents? Well, they represented FATE, also spelled out in capitals, and there was no getting around FATE. Napoleon had had an accident at Waterloo, but that did not dampen my desire to be another and later Napoleon. Further, the optimism bred of a stomach which could digest scrap iron and a body which flourished on hardships did not permit me to consider accidents as even remotely related to my glorious personality.

I hope I have made it clear that I was proud to be one of Nature's strong-armed noblemen. The dignity of labor was to me the most impressive thing in the world. Without having read Carlyle, or Kipling, I formulated a gospel of work which put theirs in the shade. Work was everything. It was sanctification and salvation. The pride I took in a hard day's work well done would be inconceivable to you. It is almost inconceivable to me as I look back upon it. I was as faithful a wage slave as ever capitalist exploited. To shirk or malinger on the man who paid me my wages was a sin, first, against myself, and second, against him. I considered it a crime second only to treason and just about as bad.

In short, my joyous individualism was dominated by the orthodox bourgeois ethics. I read the bourgeois papers, listened to the bourgeois preachers, and shouted at the sonorous platitudes of the bourgeois politicians. And I doubt not, if other events had not changed my career, that I should have evolved into a professional strike-breaker, (one of President Eliot's American heroes), and had my head and my earning power irrevocably smashed by a club in the hands of some militant trades-unionist.

Just about this time, returning from a seven months' voyage before the mast, and just turned eighteen, I took it into my head to go tramping. On rods and blind baggages I fought my way from the open West where men bucked big and the job hunted the man, to the congested labor centres of the East, where men were small potatoes and hunted the job for all they were worth. And on this new blond-beast adventure I found myself looking upon life from a new and totally different angle. I had dropped down from the proletariat into what sociologists love to call the "submerged tenth," and I was startled to discover the way in which that submerged tenth was recruited.

I found there all sorts of men, many of whom had once been as good as myself and just as blond-beast; sailor-men, soldier-men, labor-men, all wrenched and distorted and twisted out of shape by toil and hardship and accident, and cast adrift by their masters like so many old horses. I battered on the drag and slammed back gates with them, or shivered with them in box cars and city parks, listening the while to life-histories which began under auspices as fair as mine, with digestions and bodies equal to and better than mine, and which ended there before my eyes in the shambles at the bottom of the Social Pit.

And as I listened my brain began to work. The woman of the streets and the man of the gutter drew very close to me. I saw the picture of the Social Pit as vividly as though it were a concrete thing, and at the bottom of the Pit I saw them, myself above them, not far, and hanging on to the slippery wall by main strength and sweat. And I confess a terror seized me. What when my strength failed? when I should be unable to work shoulder to shoulder with the strong men who were as yet babes unborn? And there and then I swore a great oath. It ran something like this: All my days I have worked hard with my body, and according to the number of days I have worked, by just that much am I nearer the bottom of the Pit. I shall climb out of the Pit, but not by the muscles of my body shall I climb out. I shall do no more hard work, and may God strike me dead if I do another day's hard work with my body more than I absolutely have to do. And I have been busy ever since running away from hard work.

Incidentally, while tramping some ten thousand miles through the United States and Canada, I strayed into Niagara Falls, was nabbed by a fee-hunting constable, denied the right to plead guilty or not guilty, sentenced out of hand to thirty days' imprisonment for having no fixed abode and no visible means of support, handcuffed and chained to a bunch of men similarly circumstanced, carted down country to Buffalo, registered at the Erie County Penitentiary, had my head clipped and my budding mustache shaved, was dressed in convict stripes, compulsorily vaccinated by a medical student who practised on such as we, made to march the lock-step, and put to work under the eyes of guards armed with Winchester rifles--all for adventuring in blond-beastly fashion. Concerning further details deponent sayeth not, though he may hint that some of his plethoric national patriotism simmered down and leaked out of the bottom of his soul somewhere--at least, since that experience he finds that he cares more for men and women and little children than for imaginary geographical lines.

To return to my conversion. I think it is apparent that my rampant individualism was pretty effectively hammered out of me, and something else as effectively hammered in. But, just as I had been an individualist without knowing it, I was now a Socialist without knowing it, withal, an unscientific one. I had been reborn, but not renamed, and I was running around to find out what manner of thing I was. I ran back to California and opened the books. I do not remember which ones I opened first. It is an unimportant detail anyway. I was already It, whatever It was, and by aid of the books I discovered that It was a Socialist. Since that day I have opened many books, but no economic argument, no lucid demonstration of the logic and inevitableness of Socialism affects me as profoundly and convincingly as I was affected on the day when I first saw the walls of the Social Pit rise around me and felt myself slipping down, down, into the shambles at the bottom.

Well, I did a thing.

Over a year ago a friend of mine reached out to me about a trip she was planning to Israel and Jordan. It being so far out, I kept pushing it off with excuses. Finally, just 3 months before we were to depart, I pulled the plug and booked the trip.

With credit card points, I booked my own flights instead of through the company. While I was looking at different flight options, I opted to leave a day earlier than the group and spend some time in London. By myself. Just me. All alone. It wasn’t supposed to be like that, but that’s how it worked out.

Fast forward to today. I’m sitting at Heathrow airport at the tail end of my 12 hour layover, having spent most of the afternoon exploring London. By myself. Just me. All alone. Guess what? I survived. I thrived. Funny to think of how scared I was. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to work the Tube system. I would get lost and miss my flight to Tel Aviv. I would chicken out and just stay at the airport for the day. Well, I didn’t. My flight landed at 9:30 and by 11 I was exploring the city.

It was hard to decide where to go. You can ask Ty, I couldn’t settle on a plan. I didn’t want to miss anything, but at the same time didn’t want to put myself in a pickle. I got dropped off at DIA early, so I formulated a plan. My main goal was just to have fish and chips. Duh. I wanted to have them overlooking an iconic place as well. So, I googled directions from the airport to Westminster Abbey. I bought a day pass for $14 USD and away I went. I ended up taking a wrong turn out of the train station (their landmarks aren’t well directed like Paris) but it worked out as I ended up in front of Buckingham palace. It gave me an opportunity to see some changing of the guard on horses. Twice. It wasn’t the big official one, but I wouldn’t have seen it if I had known exactly where I was going. Sometimes it’s better not to have a plan.

I don’t have cell reception, so with no plan after that I just walked. And walked. And walked. 8.5 miles actually. Who is counting, though?

I walked through the park, found a square full of floating Yodas and pikachus, and magically had WiFi. Figured out how to get to the abbey and walked that way. I knew before I left that Big Ben was under construction, so it wasn’t a disappointment when I walked up to it covered in scaffolding. Gives me a reason to come back, right? Walked through another park and decided I had worked up an appetite. I had passed a pub earlier that had fish and chips so I walked back that direction.

I was seated downstairs in the basement. Eating all alone is something I’ve never really done. It’s not something I was excited about doing. The good thing about it is you can go where you want and don’t have to ask if everyone can find a bite to eat they will like. You can also eat as fast or as slow as you want. It’s a little awkward, but they had WiFi so I dinked around on my phone looking for more things to see on my adventure.

I ordered my fish and chips and some tea. It’s bloody cold here today. Duh Megan, it’s London in January. The sun did make a little bit of an appearance, but it was short lived. It was only miserable when the wind picked up. There were some sprinkles, but at least it stayed dry!

After lunch, I walked down to the Thames to see the river up close and get a better view of the Eye. It wasn’t running today - I wouldn’t have done it anyway - but it’s huge! I did a bit more walking before I decided that I was starting to run on fumes and should head back to the airport.

I navigated the trains with perfection again. Not to toot my own horn, but it was always something that greatly intimidated me. When in Heathrow you have lots of transportation options. They have an express train you can take, but keep in mind it is kind of pricey. The guy manning the machines helped me to make sure I didn’t pay an arm and a leg! And honestly, if you’re ever somewhere with an intricate metro system, use google maps. It spells it out for you, which gives you major confidence and makes you look good in front of your friends - if you have any.

Back at the airport and like a noob I had a full water bottle while walking up to security. Luckily for me it was slow, so the guys watched me chug it. First time traveler over here! I also left my coat on so it got to go in it’s own bin. Back off me, I’m tired!

I land in Tel Aviv tomorrow morning. Bright and early. 4 am. Oh boy! Another new place to navigate. Hope I can carry my confidence over with me! I’m meeting up with a friend at her Airbnb and then we will hang out until the group arrives in the evening. It will be nice to do a tour, since today I can proudly say I didn’t learn a damn thing about London! :) Cheers to the next 17 days of adventures. And a happy birthday to my brother!!

Me

Intro Camp

August 24th Day 1: I reached my final destination of Cali Colombia at 9:00 pm, a weary traveler anxious for the first confrontation with her new family. I was greeted with a sign, flowers, and the smiling faces of my new dad Antonio and sister Mariana. The drive from Cali to Tuluá seemed to fly by, in part because Antonio drove faster than any American I've known. About an hour later, we arrived at my new home to a greeting from my new mother Gloria and the two family dogs, Carnela and Luke. Gloria, dressed much like her daughter, didn't look a day over thirty. I was too sleepy to completely soak up the brief tour of my new home. From my hazy memory, I recall a gated driveway opening into an open room where Gloria met me with open arms. A deeper retreat into the building led us through a dining room protected by a roof but open to the uncovered driveway. Cool tile met each step as I gazed over the barren white walls. No paintings or photos but still beautiful none the less. I slept in Simon's (my brother) room that night but I will move into Mariana's room when she departs for France on exchange. Private bathroom, walk in closet, I couldn't ask for anything more. After the tour I groggily packed for the next day: my first Rotary conference with all of the inbounds, and then fell into a deep sleep. August 25th Day 2: Soft clatters and the bustle of morning chores gently rocked me from my slumber around 7:30 the next morning; The walls of my new house are very thin. I ventured out of Simon's room around 8:30. The furry face of my pupper greeted me as soon as I stepped out of the door. Mariana was soon to follow. "Would you like breakfast?" "Sí." This is how most of my interactions with Mariana go. She asks questions in English and I respond in improper Spanish. I've spent very little time with Mariana but I can tell already she is full of kindness. I'll be sad to see her go on Monday as she wings her way to France. "Eggs? Cereal?" I chose cereal. The first real difference I noticed between Colombia and Oregon was the milk. The same taste but drastically different packaging. I mean have you ever had milk that came from a bag? Me neither. After breakfast Gloria and I departed for the Tuluá pick up where I boarded a bus to Pereira. The students on the bus were kind and welcoming. I sat with a girl from Belgium and a boy from Missouri for the entirety of the ride, sharing stories about our experiences in Colombia. I find the bonds you can foster with strangers through shared experiences absolutely incredible. Before the bus ride, I didn't know a single one of the exchange students. After, we collectively unearthed each other's history and life through the power of small talk. The bus, taking us through areas of agriculture and lush emerald mountains, arrived in Pereira around ten. I was tired, anxious, but more than ready to begin the conference. The day commenced with a prison's rendition of a Colombian lunch (which is completely understandable seeing as they had to feed 70+ kids for three days). The group from Bogotá and surrounding area arrived a little later. We were given a bit of time after lunch to meet the new students and unpack. Then off to orientation where we were given an overview of the weekend and took photos with our fellow country members. I was surprised to discover that the country with the largest exchange student population was Germany. France, Belgium, Brazil, and the US had high numbers as well. A Spanish spelling bee followed. Fortunately, we didn't have enough time for everyone to spell so I did not have to participate. Before I knew it, the clock struck seven and it was off to another downgraded Colombian meal. I shouldn't complain about the food just yet because I haven't experienced true Colombian food, only fast cafeteria food served on styrofoam dishes with flimsy plastic cutlery. After dinner we returned to the first meeting room and were given a sheet of paper with a song printed on either side: una lady como tú and deja vu. Each with missing words in each verse. This simple sheet of paper filled me with memories of my Spanish classes in Corvallis, where we participated in the same activity. Music truly is the universal language. We filled in word by word until no space was left blank. As the teens we are, the repetition of the songs became aggravatingly boring and we were soon restless. Studying the music turned into dancing to the music. The teachers and Rotarians gave us a brief overview of the different types of dances popular in Colombia: salsa, bachata, etc. Watching them dance was incredible. Hips swaying and smiles radiating throughout the room, as if they were born dancing. I love this aspect of Colombian culture. Here, dance is am essential part of life. It brings people together effortlessly, fostering only the tightest of bonds. I ended my night with a shower. Icy water trickling down my spine in a slightly unpleasant fashion. Since I packed for the conference the night I arrived, I had no idea what to expect weather wise. Turns out, the nights are slightly too chilly to wear just shorts and a t-shirt. Despite the my inadequate choice of clothing, I was out cold as soon as my head hit the pillow. August 26th Day 3: We left our lodgings at 7:15 for our 7:00 breakfast. Punctuality is not a stressed topic here in Colombia. Milky coffee, fruit salad, eggs, a slice of white bread, and arepa with cheese stared up at me from styrofoam plates. Colombians are very proud of their arepa with beef, cheese, chorizo, anything you could think of. To me, the thick tortilla tastes like very little, but I haven't tried a non-cafeteria arepa yet. After breakfast we made our way back to the meeting building to listen to the rules of Rotary. Two hours later, we were well versed on the 4 D's (which were changed to 6 after they introduced no smoking and disrespect). To keep our impatient minds occupied, we were herded into a peculiar little zoo. Horses winnied from either side as we began the tour. Those were followed by cows, sheep, goats, pigs, an assortment of colorful birds, and many fish. Our eyes were then graced by the beauty of an array of Colombian plants in their prime, almost as if they were on steroids. As I write this, I already notice the affects of being immersed in the Spanish language. As I formulate sentences, the words that first pop into my head are in Spanish. Not egg, huevo, my mind isn't occupied, está ocupado. We were corralled back into the meeting room after the tour to make a skit about being on exchange with a team of eight people. My team ended up with ten students because two arrived late. The team was composed of Adrien and another boy from France, Isabella and another Emily from Brazil, Maude and Sebastian from Belgium, Laura from the Czech Republic, Roman from Germany, Clark from Colorado, and me. Our team name was Los Peces and our motto was nos movemos como pesces en el agua (we move like fish in the water). Which is apparently a common Spanish phrase. English was the most predominantly spoken language of the group, and the whole conference as it happens, but the two Brazilian girls did not speak it. This pushed us to communicate more in Spanish. I ended up writing the skit because no one else took initiative. Two exchange students arrive at the airport in Colombia. One breezes through customs while the other must convince the agent that they are the same person as in their passport photo. Finally they both make it through and greet their families. It was nothing great but I had ten minutes to prepare it. We ate lunch at a different part of the park, a four course meal of salad, a sort of squash soup, steak with rice and fries, and a peculiar coffee and maybe banana layered pudding. The coffee layer was delectable but the other was slightly sour. After lunch we divided back into our teams for Gymkhana, a team scavenger hunt where we had to complete certain activities at each place found. Los Pesces reassembled, tied at the wrist by neon green fabric. And we were off, team flag and park map in hand. Before beginning the hunt we had to find a raw egg around a nearby pond. A man fishing kindly pointed one nestled gently in the crook of a tree out to us. The French boy found another egg as we were making our way to the first destination: a bridge. After explaining that "solo necesitamos un huevo," he threw it back into the bushes. The first challenge was Spanish telephone. After completeling this, we raced through the park to one of the many pools where three members of our team were instructed to spell certain words in Spanish. Next it was back down the hill through a bamboo forest to the tennis courts located at the bottom of a steep grassy incline. We were instructed to crawl up the incline and around a tree, still attached to each other with the flag, map, and egg in hand. I came away from this challenge dirty and covered in new mosquito and ant bites. Our map had one place circled that led us on a wild goose chase to another pool, which didn't actually have a challenge. But it did have a view overlooking the bamboo grove to the green mountains in the distance. I honestly do not know if we finished the scavenger hunt or not but we decided to make our way back to the home base at our lodging. The sky darkened as we walked. Fat rain drops began to fall and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. We arrive wet, dirty, and in last place. But I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything else. The rain turned into a heavy downpour as we were greeted by the rest of the students who were coming back from the pool because it was raining too hard to swim. The shadow lifted from those who wanted to swim as we all splashed around in the courtyard, sliding on the wet tiles and taking showers in the water flowing from the roof in rivulets. Our fun finally came to an end when we were called to dinner. Back to the cafeteria we traipsed through the pouring rain. Unfortunately I had no coat or pants so I thankfully borrowed Roman's jacket for the walk. My shoes were tiny lakes by the time we arrived. After dinner we gathered in a small theater to perform the songs we had learned in the groups of eight. Our performance of una lady como tú and deja vu were were mediocre but Roman turned the performance around by rapping his original work in German. By then I was exhausted after the long day full of fun activities and ready for a deep sleep. Instead of telling us to retire for night, one of the teachers asked "¿quieren ir a dormir o bailar?" When in Colombia, you always choose to dance. The beat of the music and the energy in the room revitalized me. We danced the night away to the rhythms of Shakira and Luis Fonsi. August 27th Day 4: The final day of introcamp began with a breakfast of egg and arepa. This was followed with a final spelling bee and an awards ceremony for the group who outperformed the rest in each activity. My group came in dead last. But I wouldn't have changed my group for the any other. Los Peces allowed me to connect with unique individuals from all around the world in a non native language for all of us. It was truly special. The students from Bogotá and surrounding areas left at eleven for the long drive ahead of them. Us Cali kids said our farewells and then made our way down to the pool. Two German girls and I spent our remaining free time relaxing in the shade, watching them frolicking in the pool. We departed at one, making one stop for lunch. Within two hours, I was back in Tuluá, with my new family welcoming me for a second time with open arms.