Welcome to America

It was a long plane ride back.  There was a very strange man two rows ahead of me who was super fat, unable to breathe and possibly on some sleep medication.  Thank goodness no one was seated around him.  He flopped violently in his chair leaning to the right and to the left, forward and back, waking himself up because he was snoring so loud and was kind of snorting to breathe.  He was out cold before the plane took off and was awake only to eat and use the restroom.  I’ve never seen anything like it. According to the other passengers around me, they never have either.  For probably the first time ever, I was happy to arrive at LAX!

The final leg of my journey was the short flight to San Diego.  When the plane took off from LAX, I got really excited.  With only a 20 minute flight, it’s hard to maintain any emotion, but I looked out the window the whole time and as the plane was landing and San Diego neighborhoods were passing below, I felt a wave of calm and happiness take over.

The buzz kill was that one of my suitcases didn’t get on the plane with me and the United employee couldn’t account for my bag and couldn’t tell me where in LAX it was…it wasn’t even popping up on the system.  They assured me that my case would be delivered.  (See, this is why I carry-on those journals!) My parents and I left the airport doubtful and with hope, all mixed into one.  I was too tired to be angry.

I woke up this morning, brewed some coffee, chatted with the family and delighted in the fact that my suitcase did actually arrive.  Whew! I’ve never been so happy to see my red suitcase! ;p

As I usually do when I visit the US, the first outing was a visit to Target.  Nothing says “Welcome to America” more than a store where you can buy shampoo, candy, a bathing suit, greeting cards, a BBQ,  underwear and a bicycle all in the same place.  I stuck with toiletries and candy.

And so the adjustment begins…I’m back. I’m here. I’m home.

About the photo: There is a glimpse of San Diego from the plane.  It was near sunset and the marine layer was starting to roll back in. Still a welcome sight for sore eyes!