Getting there is half the battle

Since I’ve been home for almost 2 whole weeks, I guess it’s time to tell you about it! As you can see, I’m in my “relax and enjoy life” mode…meaning that I get about one major task accomplished everyday. Today the goal is to update this blog, so here it goes…

Getting there is half the battle…and whoever made up this saying is totally right! The few days before I left to come home, I was so preoccupied with practicing and seeing my friends that I had to (chose to) stay up all night cleaning and packing before I left for the States. I had to leave my apartment at 5am to take a taxi to the airport, so I just figured that it would be best to not go to bed at all. The best part about this plan was that three of my friends, Venla, Johann, and Phil, came over for tea and to visit throughout the night. So, along with their company and everything I had to do, it was pretty easy staying up (note that my last blog post was at 3:10am during that night!). I know that when I get back to Sweden I’ll be very happy that I tore my apartment apart cleaning…so I’m glad I stuck through it!

Finally, at around 5am on December 9, I rolled/carried my 50 lb. suitcase and backpack to the stop where the taxi was to pick me up. At that time the weather in Piteå was pretty mild…so I was literally dragging my suitcase (that is about as big as me) through about an inch of nasty slush. Nothing like starting a whole day’s worth of travel off with a little workout!

I reached my destination at around 5:15am, and my taxi was supposed to pick me up at 5:25am. I always like to be early, but the time was passing my so slowly! I was so nervous that the taxi wouldn’t show up. I made the reservation online, and printed out the confirmation because I was so scared that it wouldn’t make it. As even more time passed, I really started to get nervous! When it was 5:35, I called the taxi company, but of course no one answered. If I missed my first flight, all my travel plans would be ruined!

I finally sighed with relief, as the taxi showed up around 5:40. Phew. I texted Lou later saying that she almost got a 6am wake up call of panic!

As soon as my butt hit the seat in the taxi, I was asleep. I literally have no recollection of the 50 minute car ride. When I got to the Luleå airport (in a blink!), I went to check-in at one of those self-serve kiosks. My heart dropped again when it read “reservation cannot be found”! WHAT?! At this point I have flow Scandinavian Airlines tons of times, and this has never happened. I waited in line at the bag drop, and luckily the woman at the desk found my reservation in the computer. Phew number 2!

Once again, I have no memory of this leg of traveling. I can’t even tell you if I was in a window seat. All I can say is that I had a very deep 1 hour nap!

When I got to Stockholm, I had 2.5 hours to kill before my flight to London. I immediately grabbed my bag and checked in at the other terminal, just so I didn’t have to drag it around (and I’m really glad I did, because I didn’t have to wait in line at all. Plus, when I went back to go through security it was really crowded!)

Arlanda Airport is really nice, so I wondered around the stores and ate a yummy breakfast at McDonalds (fresh grain bread with cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ham…won’t find that one the menu in the USA!). In the stores I found a lot of gifts that I would have loved to buy for family and friends, but I just had to resist. I purchased most of my Christmas presents in Paris, and I’ll have to bring home more Swedish gifts at the end of this year.

The flight from Stockholm to London was pretty uneventful. It was only 2.5 hours, and I dosed in and out throughout the journey. When I landed in London, I immediately turned on my phone. My good friend from Eastman, Becky, is from London and she was going to try to meet me at the airport. After about a million messages, we realized that it just wasn’t going to happen. I only had 1.5 hours between flights, and had to go through security and such. If I would have gone out to meet her, I would have had to go through customs and all that jazz. The employees said that you need at least a 3 hour layover to do so. I was really bummed because I miss Becky a ton and she came all the way out to the airport to meet me. We had a laugh realizing that we were essentially in the same place but couldn’t see each other. We’ll be planning a trip in the spring to visit for sure!

I’m really weird, and actually enjoy long flights. It amuses me how the system of controlling the passengers works (plus I was flying British Airways, so all of the flight attendants sounded even friendlier with their accents). I got settled in my seat next to an old Hungarian couple that were very nice, but didn’t speak English, so I knew that this flight wouldn’t be filled with any exciting conversations. Almost immediatly after taking off, the stewardess came around and ask you if you would like a drink. I always choose water or orange juice. Then about 30 minutes later it was time for our meal, with wine! After you eat they turn off the lights as if to say “now it’s time to sleep and not bug us, we’ll wake you up when we want you to be awake!”

If you know me, you know that I can sleep absolutely anywhere. Normally, I would probably sleep 5 hours out of an 8.5 hour flight. For some reason, despite my inadequate slumber the night before, I COULD NOT SLEEP!?!!?! What’s up with that? It was very frustrating. I actually watched 3 full movies. Usually, it’s hard for me to stay awake watching one movie at home, but for some reason my brain just kept thinking and I couldn’t turn it off.

I finally reached Chicago safely and was prepared for another 3 hour lay over. By this time I was just ready to be back in West Chester, but did try and take this time to enjoy being back on US soil. I went through customs in a breeze, and was immediately reminded of the American friendliness. I ended up chatting with a couple in the airport shuttle, and befriended a man sitting at the gate waiting for our flight. He was returning from Spain, lived in West Chester, and used to coach JV baseball at my highschool. Small world, huh? It was nice chatting with him because the flight was delayed an hour! Ugh! I just wanted to get home! Plus, at this point, I would be arriving in Cincinnati at around 1am, and that is way past my parent’s bedtime!

The flight was delayed because of the aweful weather in Chicago…it was snowing and icing. I joked by apologizing for bringing the winter weather with me. On the 45 minute flight (seriously…I hate when I have to fly to and from Chicago, it just seems so silly!), I sat next to a very chatty guy. He literally talked for about 35 minutes of the flight…about all the places he’s gone, his wife (newlywed, kind of cute) and his job. I got in a few words here and there, but it was nice to listen. It was also a little odd…he really liked talking about himself!

...and...finally....I was back in Ohio! Mom, dad, and bro were waiting outside the gate at CVG! I felt so out of it, I couldn’t even process the fact that I was home!!! I recalled as many travel stories as possible during the drive to West Chester, and was really happy to see our beautiful house, and sleep in my huge, comfy bed. Välkommen hem till mig!