Manchester

I’m thrilled to report that my transatlantic flights were uneventful! It was my first time flying out of State College during a home football game. It was pretty cool to see the filled stadium. 

For those who don't know, the stadium is the 2nd largest in the US and 4th largest in the world.

Flying out of Philly, there was the brightest rainbow I’ve ever seen – a double rainbow at that. I’m not really into signs or omens, but I took comfort and joy in seeing the rainbow.

I don't need extra O2 for short flights (<1 hour) at lower altitudes, but I definitely needed it on the transatlantic flights. At one point, I unhooked from the oxygen and got up to use the bathroom. I was gone maybe 3 minutes, but when I measured my O2 saturation, it was only 77%. I didn't really feel short of breath. This indicates that my O2 on the 2022 return flight from Germany must have been horrifically low, because I couldn't even walk a few steps. 

In Manchester, my friend/colleague Carol and I enjoyed the gorgeous art and architecture and scrumptious food (German/Turkish doner, Chinese, Indian, fish & chips, etc.). We spent an afternoon in Liverpool and intended to visit the Tate Museum...but it was closed for renovations, except for a tiny exhibit in another building.

Gotta say, we were not expecting to see cloth acrobats at the conference banquet!

Hanging with the Beatles in Liverpool

The Refuge, a former insurance building that has a stunning, preserved interior and a fabulous restaurant.

The bee is the symbol of Manchester.

So excited to find doner and introduce Carol to her first doner experience. 

Anglican cathedral

Central library

Enlarged photo of a textile pattern. Manchester (where the industrial revolution began) was the site of a calico bleaching factory. It dyed and produced thousands of patterns, and the dye turned the river various colors. This was the world's premiere calico printer.

My next transatlantic flight will likely be in November 2025, when I will (hopefully) go to Ireland to give a keynote address.