Back in Sunny Australia

I am back in sunny Adelaide after a whirlwind month and a half at home. Thanksgivings (I had 2), baked dozens of cookies, visited all of my relatives, Christmas parties, a brief stomach virus, weddings, evenings out with friends- it was a lot to fit in. I wished I had about a week more to spend with my immediate family, but I wanted to get back to Aus in time for New Years, and I had already bought the ticket, so it was happening.

I just got in yesterday afternoon after nearly 30 hours of travel. Just the highlights: I had a lovely lunch out with my parents at Bandidos, then we walked around Hillsborough a bit before going to the airport. When I checked in at RDU, the Dallas-LA leg of my trip had been cancelled, so I had to stand at the counter for 15 minutes while the lady typed and talked on the phone to try and find me a new route. I ended up flying RDU-Chicago-LA, with almost the same time schedule, so it worked out. Chicago O'Hare airport has this amazing thing in the bathrooms where it automatically replaces the toilet cover when a new person arrives- it's motion activated. Maybe I am behind the times, but I haven't seen this before and I was amazed. (You begin to realize how much you have traveled in the past few years when you can tell people which airports in America and Australia have the best bathroom facilities.) The flights through America were uneventful and on time. I must have been taken off that "list" at airport security, because I was not bomb or drug swiped in either country (I think maybe when I asked the security guy about it last time, he realized I was "onto him" and took me off the list). The flight from LA to Melbourne was great. I have decided that if I can help it, I am flying Qantas internationally to Australia from now on. The seats were huge, the service was great, they gave us menus for the dinner and breakfast. I had a window seat, but I only had to climb over 1 person, and I had a special compartment at the window to put my stuff in so it didn't have to be under the seat. I actually slept a little because I was comfortable. It was pretty great. The flight from Melbourne to Adelaide ended up being delayed about 15 minutes and Marie picked me up at the airport. I was sooooo exhausted by then, and she dropped me off at home (I love Marie!). I showered (the best showers are after being at the beach all day, after days of camping, or after 30 hours of flying), then unpacked everything. I was excited that nothing broke. Then I watched a movie and fought sleep for a few hours and Sarah made me a great dinner of chicken and mashed potatoes and veggies. I managed to stay awake until around 9pm, then I slept for 11 hours, haha.

I woke up this morning, had breakfast, called my parents, then went shopping. Here is what I hope to accomplish in the next few months that I am here:

Working for at least a month in vineyards nearby
Weekend visit to Melbourne
Visit the Shreeves in Perth
Develop a tan with lots of beach visits