Fasten Your Seatbelts!

I am finally in Perth, and it’s been a wild and crazy ride!

I’ve done some hard things in my life, but saying good-bye to my family for a few months was definitely up there.

A few dozen hugs to mom before I get in the car to go.

Enric, Miranda, Laura and the kids all took me to the airport. It was BUSY and there was really no time for long good-byes.
We were even late boarding, and I  guess I didn’t really need to head into the security area as soon as I did, but perhaps just going was for the best. I was very sad seeing all my babies big and small and knowing I was leaving them.

My plane at BWI to L.A.

The trip to L.A. had some normal bumps, but NO ONE expected what happened over New Mexico. I was just coming back from the bathroom and sitting down when the plane DROPPED harshly. I actually hurt my bum. But there was no time to think about that as the flight attendant sharply announced., “EVERYONE fasten your seatbelts, THIS IS NOT OVER!”

Her demeanour scared me and others too. I was more relieved to hear the calm, professional voice of the captain, telling us that we were in for about 15 minutes more of this system. Frazzled from that experience, there was still no time to think about the drop incident nor my sore bum as I only had minutes to call mom and catch the next flight. To be honest after what happened, if I had had a long time to think about it, I wonder if I would have even got on another plane.

We boarded our 15 hour flight to Sydney and were soon on our way. More turbulence. Unbelievable. Nothing has bad as over New Mexico thank goodness.

Sydney was a confused rush and again, I had little time between flight. Although, I often wonder if time just goes a little slower here down under, as I was rushing, the bus attendant to the domestic terminal assured me I had plenty of time to get a cup of tea or shop if I wanted. I think he was right. I managed to Skype Mom and John, Exchange money, buy a soda, and see if I could find something in the shops for Laura. This was the last leg of the trip and I was so anxious to be done.

Perhaps I was sending the plane vibes as 30 minutes or so was cut from the trip, but once again, we had another DROP, and the flight attendant on this plane kept quiet, but the captain on this flight was quick to tell us we had 7 more minutes of that roller coaster ride. I think it was longer, to the point that the idea of landing was scary to me in those conditions. But he landed perfectly. Later as I tried to comfort a woman who was throwing up in her bag with nerves, the flight attendant in the back told me we had experienced crosswinds.

I arrive to see John, but too quick we found out my suitcase was not there. Very huge disappointment.

Qantas gave me some pajama like clothes and toiletries and riding home I must have looked very sad.

John asked me if I wanted a soft drink before we headed home. I said yes and stayed in the car. Sitting there alone and feeling very sad for my missing luggage, I was just about to burst into tears, when I opened my eyes to see John handing me flowers.

The flowers in his kitchen.

There were also wedding balloons from his work. How sweet!

A cute box weighs the balloons down.

I got cleaned up and we hung around the house waiting for the baggage claim to call with good news. That didn’t happen. Finally we went to the beach.

I love that Ocean and was glad that on my first day, I got to see a sunset over it.

Funny thing, perhaps I was just tired from travelling, but while on the beach, what appeared to be clump of wet sand was hard vicious rock, and now I have a black and bloody pinkie toe to add to my list of interesting things that happened to me today!

Sunset, Indian Ocean

Well that is the first blog post on this trip.

Fasten your seat belts, folks, because from this first one, it looks to be a wild ride!