and so we hit the dusty road...
Day 7: The Train Ride
If bittersweet were personified in a day, today would be that day. So far, it has been a mix of emotion and a roller coaster of events. Colin and I started off today by finishing off the last of our packing and stuffing our packs with just about everything that we might need. Yesterday, we visited a nearby Army Surplus store, and I traded off my restaurant shoes for a shiny new pair of combat boots. Blisters here I come! While we were there, we also picked up two big ol' duffel bags that are now being used to carry all of our various juggling gear and props. Morning could not be more aptly named as Colin and I said our goodbyes. We made the rounds and hugged our loved ones and promised that we would return soon, but our minds were focused on the real start of our journey, that was quickly approaching. All too soon we boarded our train, and began our trek.
As an omen of things to come, right after we sit down, in walks David. David is an old hippie/revolutionary/eminent junkie/african love god/whatever. And right now, he is sitting from across from me, passed out. He claims to be an organic farmer, and he yells at us whenever we don't ask him questions about his life, or what he is speaking about this weekend. He told Colin not to trust what he says. OOH! and his seventh pharmacologist is dead, and apparently won't return his phone calls. This man has been dogging our steps ever since we entered the train. This is unfortunate because we were trying to play cards with two very attractive young persons of the female persuasion, who appeared to be having a good time with us. They are going to the fair, but they just got off the train at Portland to drive down with a friend. We don't expect to see them again. But, we did have fun even with David following us around everywhere. I've never seen a man spasm so often when sleeping, remind me not to take whatever this guy is on. [end log.]
The proceeding couple of paragraphs are taken out of a little notepad we had on the train with us.... but oooh boy things got interesting after that. It turned out that when David woke up, he became really angry and started yelling at children and throwing trash at people. He then took off his pants, and ran around yelling at everybody saying that they couldn't make him put them back on, etc. etc. "I paid my ticket!! this is my train!! I can do whatever I want on my train!!" Then.... [ominous musical interlude] Zack suggested that he 'calm down.' David did not want to calm down. He started yelling at Zack about teenagers telling him what to do, etc etc, and how his parents told him to calm down once too, but he didn't like that either. We packed up our stuff and moved to a different car, and David got himself thrown off the train, which delayed us getting into Eugene by almost an hour.
When we finally got to my Aunt and Uncle's house, there was much rejoicing, and it looks like Zack is even going to get along with them, even though he picks on my little cousin Carrie, much to my amusement. Tomorrow morning is the fair, and our first chance to test out the new show.
(As soon as I get to a place where I can format my pictures, I will post as many as I can.)