The Long Trip Home

PERTH

It was the day I was dreading since I arrived. The day that I have experienced a few times now since John and I got married. It’s like an out of body experience. you’re watching yourself pack and leave your husband. It doesn’t seem real, and each time, it doesn’t get easier.

This image taken with the tablet doesn’t show how sad we were. Here we were at Perth Airport.

We had time to look around before we had to physically part, and John spotted this Chinese plane. He figured it was from the search team for that missing Malaysian flight MH370. As we watched it, I ask John if my plane disappeared to promise he would come looking for me personally. I don’t think we can rely on the experts anymore.

Off to the waiting area, this sunset appeared. I remember being sad the evening before that I didn’t get a sunset because of a cloudy sky….this was beautiful. Very sweet farewell from Perth.

AUCKLAND,  NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is always about to be at sunrise when I (we) arrive.

The problem is that departure isn’t ever until AFTER sundown. That is a long time to be stuck in a small and very boring airport, that charges an arm and a leg for its WiFi internet and everything else. (Tee shirts can be $40 – $50 dollars!)

I decided to make the best of it and ordered this delicious café mocha.

The coffee seemed like it was going to be the best part of the day. For some reason I could get my 30 minutes free internet, but couldn’t access it to pay for it.
I tried to trouble shoot the issue myself, went to airport help, then went to a phone with a toll free number and still no help. Apparently the service that handles internet at Auckland isn’t physically there with technicians if there is a problem. I think if you’re going to offer a service where people have to pay for it, you should have help ready and at hand. Just saying.

As I wandered around, disgusted and sad that I would have no connection with loved ones to let them know how I was faring on this leg of the trip, I saw one of their digital signs with the Blue Screen of Death. How apt I thought, of an airport that for me, just can’t seem to do anything right to have the BSOD. Just so fitting.

When all seemed lost, I finally went to the Air New Zealand counter to see if the airline itself offered free WiFi to their customers (If you saw the price of the ticket you would ask too!) They replied that no they don’t. But I could perhaps go to the VIP lounge where WiFi was free and showers, and food and all the drinks I could want.

I know nothing is free, “How much?”

“$55,” he replied.

I had to pause to think. By the time I am there all day, and would have PAID for the net, and had something to eat and drink, I would have spent about that much. “Ok.”

So he wrote me an invitation and told me to take it upstairs and present to the person at the counter. They were busy and full and couldn’t take another person. I was directed to another VIP lounge. We haggled on price and then I was in, hoping that John would agree with me that this wasn’t a bad option.

So I found a cozy seat with plugs nearby for everything that needed recharging.

It was so quiet in the VIP lounge, unlike the rest of the airport.

Mostly the food smelled, but the fruit, cheeses and sweets seemed safe.

When I had talked to John and informed my family I was safe, the time had passed and it was getting late enough to be ready to look for the gate for the plane. But first a stop for the usual New Zealand sunset. I chose this place to take a photo as I liked the China Airlines plane with the cute Chinese people pictured on the sides.

Finally some 15 hours after arriving at Auckland, it was time to board the plane.

The airplane that would take me back to America.

Twelve long hours later we touched down in San Francisco. There wasn’t much time there, but I had time to connect with John before he went to work and buy a soda and crackers–with American money again!

My flight to Baltimore was a little bumpy, and I arrived later than the scheduled time.

Now I have been gone from this home for 3 months. I thought Miquel would be first in line to see me. I couldn’t find him, so I thought maybe he would be in the baggage area. No. I looked around, and realized where I should have found him, at the vending machine buying candy and a drink. Nothing changes.

Later he explained that he read we were running late and that I wouldn’t be there already. Just the same I had to tease him.

Miquel and I talked all night long, then I met with Enric, later with Laura, and I finally collapsed for 4 hours after lunch.

Now comes adapting to being back.