Number 19.
The Best Haircut Ever
“How long have you been in Marlborough?” the nice hairdresser asked.
“Not long, I’ve just returned from travelling in South America. Now I really need to find a job, but it’s not going to be easy in a small town like Marlborough.”
“Well, actually my husband is looking for a new employee for his small insurance broker company. Do you know anything about insurance?”
“Well actually I do, I worked for an insurance brokers for nine years before I went travelling!”
After a short conversation in the small office next door, I left with my new haircut, new job and an excellent new boss.
Only later would I realise that I’d found something even more precious. I’d found a whole new family who were to become some of the best and dearest friends of my life.
Number 18.
Chichen Itza
The steep pyramid steps were narrow, precipitous and precarious. I marvelled at the construction, symbolism and incredible history, all whilst clinging on for dear life.
“Thank you, I really appreciate it.” I said handing my camera to a nice US lady sitting on the top step. I climbed down a few steps, then looked back up, smilied for the camera and tried hard not to look too nervous.
Then, as I reached up to take the camera back, it happened.
Thinking I had it safe in my hand, so she let go. I watched as my camera bounced down the steps, braking into many pieces. Scarily some people tried to catch it, but luckily no-one fell.
Amazingly, she then lent me her own camera for the rest of my trip (which I later posted back from England.)
Number 17.
OVNIs
As the sun set behind the Akapana pyramid, all was peaceful and calm. The beautiful dusk light gave me a great view of the now deserted ruins of the ancient city of Tiahuanaco. Suddenly, from the top of the pyramid I saw a red ball of light fly straight up into the sky. This was closely followed by a white ball of light that flashed very brightly, then faded quickly. With no time to take photographs, I stood amazed at what I’d seen.
When I told the Bolivian hotel manager later, he nodded sagely, saying "OVNI's. I’ve seen them many times.”
OVNI, or Objeto Volador No Identificado, are what we call UFOs in English.
A few hours later the manager, the hotel guests and I were stood in the cold andean night air, scanning the skies for more OVNIs.
Number 16.
Shine On
Silence greeted me as I walked into the room. The disorientation was compounded by an inability to even see my outstretched hands. For whilst the room was brightly lit, it was also completely filled by a combination of dry ice and strong smelling marijuana smoke.
I was late and had expected The Australian Pink Floyd to have started their show already. Through the haze I began to see the shapes of some of the crowd. Their silence made me wonder if the band were indeed already on stage.
Then I heard four loud, mysterious and iconic notes. Dum, Ding, Dum, Ding. The famous riff intro on Shine On You Crazy Diamond echoed around the room. A happy shiver shook me and I was immediately lost in the song, although maybe breathing in some of the ‘smoke’ helped too.
Number 15.
Perspective
At the ancient stone circle of Arbor Low, I found a five pound note.
“I’ll give it to a beggar.” I said to my friend David Gadsby.
“Wait till you get to India, exchange it and it’ll be worth far more there.”
Two months later in a Himalaya mountain town, I exchanged it for 300 Indian Rupees, equivalent to about a month's begging. The whole trip I’d been waiting, but finally I’d found the most worthy and deserving person. She’d lost her fingers to leprosy, and though she had to beg, she was always quiet, uncomplaining and dignified.
So on my last day there, I said my usual “Good morning” and dropped the money into her hat. Not looking at the amount, she placed her hands together in thanks.
Then I walked away, emotional, not able to look back.
Number 14.
The Royal Tomb
By late afternoon Machu Picchu was almost tourist free. Standing outside the sacred cave, I peered into the dark interior. Glancing around me and seeing no-one, I quickly climbed over the security rope and entered into the darkness.
In the centre of the room lay the holy rock. I approached, placed my hands on it, and thought about the history of this ancient and sacred place.
Suddenly I became aware of a shape behind me. I spun round, heart pounding, to find a smiling man sitting in a carved niche. He’d obviously been waiting for me to notice his presence.
In my shock I suddenly thought of someone I’d met earlier, so I heard myself saying, “Hi, you must be a friend of Diahann!”
Now he looked surprised. “Actually, yes. I’m Phi.”
We shook hands, laughing.
Number 13.
Hostel Heat
June 2000 and the Delhi heat was almost unbearable. The monsoons were late and everyone was desperate for the relief that they would bring.
For the first few days I had stayed in a nice, but expensive, air-conditioned hotel. Now I sat sweating in my cheap hostel, that lacked even a fan. But I was on a budget and the cool beauty of the Indian and Nepalese Himalayan Mountains awaited me.
I began to read my copy of ‘Are You Experienced?’ by William Sutcliffe. He too had just arrived in a cheap hostel in Delhi where the:
‘depressed-looking travellers … all looked so thin and miserable you could almost have mistaken the place for a prison.’
Wow, I thought, he could be describing this exact hostel.
Then I read its name … he actually WAS describing my hostel!!
Number 12.
Himalayan Cricket
Shimla is a strange and wonderful place. Built as a retreat from the heat of a Delhi summer, it’s a typical British seaside town (complete with church) perched precariously in the foothills of the Himalaya.
I had paused on its High Street to watch an impromptu cricket match, a common occurrence in India, even on steep hillsides. With everyone having noticed the English observer, the game had acquired a competitive edge.
Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. Holding an ice cream, and with ‘The Times of India’ under one arm, I was directly underneath a ball that had been launched high into the sky.
So it was with immense relief, and a happy smile, that I caught the ball one handed. To the sound of cheering and applause from the spectators and players, I gave a little bow.
Number 11.
Nova
The last time I saw her, she was asleep on the sofa. A grand old lady dog now, she didn’t have the energy she used to. A little deaf, she hadn’t heard my arrival or my talking to my friends.
Suddenly she lifted her head, seeming to say, “Wait, is that Chris?!”
“Nova!” I called.
She jumped off the sofa and the years fell away as she ran to me. It’d been over a year since I’d last seen her, but time had not diminished the bond or the love between us.
As we walked in the fields, she jumped, ran and played like she was a puppy again. This little time we had left together was extremely precious to me. During that walk she was young again and we loved every single moment like it was the last.
Number 10.
My First Flirtations with Fame
1) “Chris, BBC TV are here to interview you.” I heard this lovely phrase midway through the successful crop circle conference that I was chairing and organising with my good friend Diahann. The next day I received a video of the interview. Lasting only a few seconds, my name was shown as … Diahann.
2) I’m happily reading the positive review of my presentation on the ‘Ancient Marlborough Mound’. It’s about how the audience had really enjoyed the interesting talk. Then I read my name … or rather I read the name of a different author! The journalist had obviously written my name down wrong.
3) I nervously listen to BBC Radio 6. Would they play my recorded message on ‘The Chain’ segment of their show? They didn’t. But they especially wanted to thank “Chris, from Ghana!”
