Baggage Claim

I'm home!

Had that title sitting in my draft section since three weeks ago. As if I would forget to use it...

I arrived on American soil at Dulles at 7:10 thursday night but didn't get out of the terminal until 8:30... The US Customs system is highly inefficient, I don't think anyone left there remotely happy.

But I walked out into the arrivals area to my parents and cousin (filming me being awkward of course) holding a 'welcome home' balloon and waving wildly. It was a great thing to come off a six hour flight to, and I was definitely happy then.

After arriving in so many airports and train stations without knowing anyone and seeing so many families reunited, nothing felt better than having someone waiting for me at the end of this journey. 

It's a bit blurry because we were all ready to get outta that parking lot.

We all piled into our new Subaru (it's real nice) and drove back to Springfield. That was weird, because nothing has changed but everything feels different.

The Uncles and the Boyfriend were waiting at the house to welcome me back. With Chipotle no less! We had a great meal and talked late into the night; well, 10pm EST but 3am UK time for me... So I passed out and slept a full 8 hours until 6am when I popped awake fully rested. I weeded the garden, downloaded all my emails, made breakfast, and then my parents got up. We had a great day of unpacking, Whole Foods shopping, painting the new bathroom, and catching up on Doctor Who. I was all excited to make dinner for everyone but ended up being too jet lagged...

 I got about 48 hours at home with my parents before the Boyfriend and I headed up to Deep Creek Lake. I was welcomed back in true American style: with great friends, awesome tacos, and some fireworks.

Everyone dressed in their red white and blue best and we had a grand old time.

It was a quick way to get over jet lag, but very difficult. You know what else has been more difficult to adjust to than I thought? Being with people all the time. I mean, I was with other people when I was traveling, but that was different. I didn't know those people. But don't worry, I'm adjusting quickly to conversations of more than just, "Where are you from? Where have you been?" And my wardrobe has grown significantly. I have so many clothes! Why did I ever think I had nothing to wear??? 

Now I am up in New Hampshire spending time with the boyfriend's family and some of mine in Maine next week. 

I'm not quite sure how or if I'm going to end this blog. I might do one more post on what I missed about America and what I miss about Europe, but other than that I don't travel enough to keep this up as a travel blog. Maybe a food or rowing blog... Either way, it's been fun keeping you all updated on my adventure and I hope you've either learned something or been inspired to galavant somewhere yourself!

Now to plan my next trip!!