Finally Home!

Our last episode found me in the Amman airport facing long flight delays to New York City. After twelve hours in the air, we finally got there, and my friends picked me up. They took me home with them after first swinging by an authentic pizza place. (How could they know I craved pizza after a week on Middle Eastern food--which was great, just different?) Well, that New York pizza delivered, and I don't mean transportation-wise. And as if that weren't enough, they also ran out for a chicken parmesan sandwich and some kind of Italian soup. They had me happily stuffed within 15 minutes of reaching their house. I love New York!

My friends and I stayed up until after midnight trying to jam in as much talk time as possible before I turned around and got up at 3:45 to catch a 6:05 AM flight. I was using Delta miles and had to go first class (burn a ton of miles) because that was the only way I could get a seat. But I ended up being glad, because my bag weighed 60 pounds, which would have cost me $90 in coach but was nothin' in first class. (Guess I brought back too much sea salt and soap?) I was soo glad for the extra leg room, plus the pillow and blanket.

The first leg of the US trip took me to Cincy, where I saw snow. We got delayed thanks to a technical problem and the need to de-ice on the Cincy-Dallas leg. But finally we took off from Cincy, and I walked off the plane into the eager arms of my family. My girl looked taller and my husband, handsomer.

I arrived to find a clean house and laundry done (bless them!). And after delivering presents and paying the most urgent bills, I did a little happy dance next to my own bed, crawled in, and slept a sleep that would rival Snow White's. Eleven hours later I feel human again.

It was great to have gone--truly the trip of a lifetime. But it's also great to be home.

More on what I learned in the days to come...Stay tuned.