Friday, December 16, 2011

Home Sweet Home......................


Getting back from Vietnam to San Francisco was a piece of cake...............actually it took so long one could eat an entire cake and then some!  The one hangup came in Shanghai where signage, and male airport personnel, refused to use English.  Thankfully a woman came to our rescue with directions AND suggested we check for our baggage.  Not necessary we said, our baggage was checked through to San Francisco.  She stressed that doesn't always work!  Despite time running out to make our final connection, we dashed through a rather dreary airport to baggage claim.  Sure enough, there were our bags gaily circling the carousel in hopes they were going to be unpacked again, in China........by someone other than Paula and me!  Grabbed them and then found we had to leave the terminal and re-enter which meant more arrival and departure forms to complete.  We made it to our gate just in time..........and from then on it was smooth sailing flying, lovely flat beds providing several hours in dreamland, good food and wine, the prized comforts of First Class 35,000 feet above the earth!


An island village near Saigon


From San Francisco to Raleigh it was much different.  The jet engine did eventually get its replacement starter and 3 hours later we took off.  I did get to Atlanta, however my original connecting flight was long gone and the next one took off with my reassigned seat empty..........missed that one also by 20 mins.  As it was the last flight of the day I spent the next 2 hours getting a seat on the first plane out next morning, standing in the late night chill in my tropical weight clothes for over 30 mins. praying the hotel shuttle would show up, and checking in to a somewhat tired and dreary hotel room chosen for me by Delta Airlines!  As it was 1:00 AM and I had to get back to the airport on the 5:00 AM shuttle, I passed on getting into bed where I would have probably slept through the entire day, and instead dozed in the chair for a couple of hours.


Ginger tea and snacks served in Vietnam

Now I'm home again, unpacked, laundry swishing and tumbling,  receiving welcoming hugs, and telling stories of another wonderful trip to anyone who will listen.


............and tomorrow will be a sleep-in morning, with no alarm clocks or Vietnamese roosters waking me at daybreak!

11 comments:

  1. Sounds like your trip was absolutely wonderful but I'm glad you are home safe and sound!

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  2. Oh I hope you stop by the shop Saturday so I can hear some stories!!

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  3. Welcome home Mary! I'm glad you finally got there safely after all your delays. I hope you are rested and ready to tackle Christmas now! Blessings, Pamela

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  4. So glad you are home safe and sound! Looking forward to hearing more about it.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. Thanks for showing pictures of your travels. My husband flies for United Airlines and does most of his flying in the Far East. I felt like I was seeing some of his travels! Glad you made it home safely!

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  6. Home at last, after yet another fantastic experience! It's too bad that the trip home was so difficult, but I know you won't let it colour your memories of a fantastic time.

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  7. Welcome Home! Enjoy the Christmas season and remembering your wonderful travel. I will look forward to following along on both trips still. What treasures you received this year.

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  8. Welcome Home Mary...are you planning to stay put for a bit? Enjoy your Holidays :)

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  9. Sounds like a beautiful trip despite the traveling mishaps on the return trip. Welcome home. Love the photo of the tea cup.

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  10. What a fantastic time you've had. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

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  11. Welcome home, sweet friend. What an adventure you've had in recent months. Sorry the last leg was so dreadful. Look forward to hearing more, but first you need to rest up and enjoy the holidays with your family. ;-)
    Sending big holiday hugs ~ Sarah

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