Back Story

So, as it is in the title that this blog is about my adventures, I have avoided personal side stories. Now, my adventures have taken me on a personal story that has become the crux of my latest moves. So here is the back story... the last few weeks will be entered in a series of installments, partly because I am incredibly jetlagged, and partly because I lack enough creative energy to write it all at once. So.. to start at the beginning...

About 2 years ago, while I was working as an assistant manager of a pub in London, an American guy called Tam came to work for us. He just happened to be in the pub at the time that my boss was interviewing, and when he inquired about the available position, he was hired on the basis that his handshake was firmer by far than any other artsy students who had applied that day, and the fact that he could speak fluent (yet somewhat bastardised) English. 

Tam and his wife turned out to be the turning point in my opinion of the general American population. My experience thus far had included over-fed tourists turning their noses up at a decent 'bangers and mash' and asking for the nearest McDonalds. Not only did they as a couple shatter all preconcieved stereotypes, they then went on to host every member of their family and to parade them past our pub in ones, twos and complete family units. I have seldom met an entire family that I like as much as I liked this one.

The last family member to arrive was Charley, Tams brother. Never has having a boyfriend been so inconvenient as it was when I met Charley. I was powerfully attracted. We spent a day together going through museums, and who knew you could have so much fun, or laugh so much looking at old and outdated displays? But, I was seeing someone. I wasnt going to break up with the guy I was with for a guy who was in the country for less than a week. Neither would I cheat. The challenge was showing ambivalence. I fear this lady may have protested too much.

I never forgot him. A few months later I recieved a bunch of orchids annonymously delivered by the flower company. It took me 5 months to find out they were from Charley. We eventually got back in contact about 7 months ago. And we have been online every day, night and any time inbetween, chatting skyping, video chatting, msn and one failed phone call. I couldnt let this go on and not find out one way or the other if there was a future.

I planned a holiday. He booked time off. I have just returned from the holiday and I have never been quite so deeply in love in my life.  I shall leave it at that for now, as the leaving is fresh. I shall come back to the start of our holiday which, unsurpisingly, began with an adventure that is amusing in restrospect, rather than at the time.  Be back soon.