Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Hi,

Well as you all know already, I made it home. My flight had over a three hour delay leaving Düsseldorf. Instead of leaving at 10:40am (4:40am Saturday, Florida time) we left at 2:00pm (8am Florida time). Apparently something delayed the plane in Vancouver or New York or something, so it passed on to us.

I had the worst night's sleep ever in the hostel on Friday night. The guys in our room wanted to stay up and read a book or write, and it was like 11:30... then the old guy who got his car stolen came in late, then started snoring. And I didn't like the sheets and pillow cases there, either. But it was fine, I only slept for like 4 hours and then it was time to get up again.

We got our stuff out to the front of the building by 6:50am and the taxi driver came, as promised, on time. We got to the airport by 7:20 and found the check-in counter. I was first in line for business class :-). My suitcase weighed 32.5 kg (71.65 pounds), it was soooo heavy! So I checked in and then we went through security. I went to the business lounge for a bit, got some free magazines and some yummy breakfast, it was really nice in there! We waited and waited and waited... security at Duesseldorf is a lot stricter than at Ft Myers, they dumped out my entire purse and actually asked for my liquids. I got patted down, too, weeeiiird.

The flight was very comfortable! I decided that it definitely IS worth it to fly business when you can, it really is a lot better. Better food, better movies, HUGE blankets, more drinks, free booze (ha ha ha, its true, if you want it, that is) you can bring more luggage, the lounge was great, your own TV, more room in your seat--I got two seats all to myself-- one for me, and one for all my stuff, ha ha. They give you a nice little bag of goodies in first class-- little mints, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, kleenex, a massage thingy, a pen, socks, an eyemask, etc. I watched three movies on the flight-- Disturbia, I Think I Love my Wife, and A Painted Veil. They were all really good. I decided that next time I am going to definitely watch as many movies as I can because the time goes by sooo much faster. The airline I'm flying with in September has their own DVD players in first class, so I can bring my own movies! However, my flight in September is at 9:45pm at night... looooooovely. I just might be tired enough to sleep though, so we will see. And at least I am getting picked up at the airport this time so I don't have to lug my stuff through the airport.

I am already getting excited about going back in the fall, I will be honest... now that I know some people and don't have to dread the flight anymore (it pays, I mean it!), I am really looking forward to it. And driving yesterday was really annoying. I miss riding the bus everywhere! I miss Germany! I was really happy to be home, and I still am, but I think its the length of the flight that makes you want to be home really bad... I think knowing that the trip was only 5 weeks made me want to come home at the end of 5 weeks, it was all mental. The hardest part is always just getting there... leaving everyone, surviving an eternal flight, getting to where you are supposed to be... etc. But I am really looking forward to meeting new people, learning German, seeing the country some more... I really can't wait!

Anyway, I fiiiinally got off the plane, got through Customs... I was very happy to see that there were separate lines for US Citizens, and it was a LOT shorter! So I got through that, got my stuff, gave my declaration form and went to see MOMMY! Then we drove the 3.5 hours to Orlando and I finally got home at around 10:30pm. Except for me, it was about 4:30 in the morning. I was excited all the way home and we just chatted about everything, Mom and I. I gave Dizzle her presents at home and took a shower, a much needed one... then I slept until 8:45! I really thought I'd sleep longer, but I think I did myself a favor by not sleeping, because I don't feel any affects of this so-called jet lag at all! I think it was a lot worse going over.

Well, that is it for now, I will continue posting as preparations for the next trip start happening :-)

Love and hugs,
Caitlin