This past Saturday I flew home from my stint in Europe. I flew from Gdansk to Warsaw and from Warsaw to Chicago. My flight from Warsaw to Chicago was delayed about 40 minutes and I got scolded by two older Polish ladies-in Polish-while boarding the plane. Other than that, I had a pretty uneventful flight. I sat next to a general practice doctor who had been doing work in Ukraine. He was polite, a good conversationalist and kept his hands in his own lap; it was a welcome change from Chester the Molester.
Originally, I was supposed to have a connecting flight from Chicago to Omaha, but my cousin Jami and I decided it would be more fun to have her pick me up at the airport and drive me home, so she could see the family for the holidays. It was a good thing she came to pick me up too, because it took forever to get through customs and get my luggage; I would have missed my connecting flight back to Omaha.
The first place we stopped after we left the airport is a Mexican restaurant. That is one thing that I have sorely missed while being overseas. I used to go to a Mexican restaurant in Greece until one of the waiters kept insisting I go to coffee with him. Since he wouldn't take no for an answer, I avoided the restaurant altogether.
Sunday, we went to church, ate at the Mexican restaurant, celebrated Jami's birthday and piled into the car for the cross-state trek. The ride was mostly uneventful until we got to Des Moines. Here we stopped for gas and I took over at the wheel. We got just outside of Des Moines and it started drizzling. The roads and windshield started icing over and I was starting to get nervous. We made it safely to Omaha and I pulled in to my apartment parking lot at midnight and got stuck. It was as if Mother Nature was saying, "Welcome home, Rachel."
Monday I went in to work and was greeted with a festive cube, welcoming me home. Kandis, Jen and Tammy had decorated my cube with wrapping paper! I have no intention of unwrapping my cube until after Christmas. I'd only been at work for an hour when I got sent home to get some rest, for which I am ever so grateful. Then my parents came down and I got to see them for the first time in 3 months. It was a happy reunion!
That pretty much brings you up to speed with my travels. I'll be in the States for at least 180 days before I can be considered for another stint in Europe. I just wanted to say a special thanks to all of you that kept in touch with me while I was gone and for everyone that took the time to read this blog. Happy holidays and much love!
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