Home again

It’s good to be back. I took my kids to school this morning. The air was fresh and the bushes were sparkling with dew. The Rhine (which they call the Rijn) was placidly flowing by, the odd boat tootling along. And Isabel and I had a few hours to reconnect last night. Which was especially nice. It’s surreal to be in my own living room, but I like it here. A good place to live.

The flight from Australia was fairly hellish. Fifteen plus hours to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), then a transfer to the next flight. Sat on that plane for two hours before we were told that the technical difficulties were insurmountable. Shuffled back into the terminal, went through security a third time, and finally sent to a workable plane, then seven more hours to Amsterdam. And then I got on the wrong train. Could hardly see straight. A couple of “young people” offered to help me with my bags, which made me aware I was bumping into walls. Announcements in Dutch that I could almost understand. Then Amsterdam Centraal — what a scene. After being in North America, the UK, and Australia for six weeks, I became aware how different it is here. The public toilets aren’t the cleanest, the signs aren’t the easiest to follow…but these people are dynamic and cool, alive in some special way.

I don’t have a lot to say at the moment, I’ll just post a few pics. Then in another post, in a day or two, I’ll tell you about meeting Johann Hari — Chasing the Scream — and about an interesting and intense rebuttal of his views — e.g., the benefits of decriminalization — by someone who works for the drug company that invented Naloxone.

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Isabel and the kids at the

Roman baths, Bath, UK

 

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 The boys and me in  Cambridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way to Australia

— can’t get enough of Abu Dhabi

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The Festival of Dangerous Ideas                IMG_3236

Sydney Opera House

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Sydney at night

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5 thoughts on “Home again

  1. matt September 9, 2015 at 7:50 am #

    Welcome back. Maybe that odd feeling you describe is one interpretation of the old saw “You can never go home again.” Everything changes.

    • Marc September 10, 2015 at 12:46 am #

      Hi Matt. Everything does change. And I’ve never been a big fan of change. Maybe I should try to change that.

      • matt September 10, 2015 at 3:12 am #

        Don’t ever change… even though it’s the only definite inevitability. Change is in the air. Someday a change is gonna come. Ch-ch-ch- changes…
        Hey… Recovery is change! No wonder I was so pissed off all that time…:)

  2. Denise September 9, 2015 at 8:31 am #

    Marc, thanks for the photos… beautiful! and for the narration…a glimpse into your life. I am reading The Biology of Desire so will soon be able to add to the positive reviews on Amazon.

    • Marc September 10, 2015 at 12:48 am #

      Hi Denise. You’re welcome. I have lots more but they’re mostly blurry. I’m a terrible photographer. I hope you’re liking the book!

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