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Published: April 15th 2011
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I was drinking a macchiato out of a paper cup at the departure side of the Manchester International Airport, realizing my last travel good byes were completed and now with every passing minute, every step and every mile I was closer to home. I boarded my flight to Keflavik airport to discover a stop in Glasgow en route to Iceland. The stop lasted an hour in Glasgow but us Iceland passengers had to stay on board the plane. While we waited some of us got talking, most people I met were off to Iceland for vacation. A couple hours later (or a couple music albums later) Iceland was in view from the windows of the plane. Snow topped mountains, lakes, the earth tundra like with little villages built on the ocean side. While the plane was landing snow flakes began to fall, I realized that these were the first snow flakes I had seen in about 18 months. I had a stopover of 2 hours before my departure to Boston. As I waited to get my passport stamped some people I met from the plane stopped to wish me luck on my return home. One thing I really like about travel
are moments like that, somebody you have chatted with genuinely cares and wishes you good luck or offers a smiling face. It's nice to see good hearts of people.
I walked around the airport looking out at land I would not get to explore. I had less then 2 hours at the little airport in Iceland. I wasn't feeling the vibe of more flights so I decided to medicate myself for the next flight. I did take some pills in hopes of putting myself out til the plane touched down in Boston but the plan backfired. I was tired before I took a pill and timed it so the effects would kick in when I first boarded the plane. I was very relaxed, my mind slowed, the world slowed. I closed my eyes expecting to wake during the planes descent. I awoke 5 minutes later disappointed that I hadn't arrived to Boston yet. At least I was relaxed for the rest of the flight.
Arrived to Boston, cleared US Customs and proceeded to Iceland Air office to collect my free hotel voucher as my flights had been cancelled and adjusted. Checked into the Hilton at the airport, admired
that I had a King-size bed, even though I wasn't a King. I was hungry and run down from an extended period of lack of sleep, consumption of food and an excess of alcohol. Woke up at 2:30 am and after a few failed attempts to drift back into sleep-land, I rose for the day. I started to gain some emotions that I think I had been fighting for awhile. I remember the early hour, the large comfy chair, the mug of coffee in my hand and Urban Hymns by The Verve softly playing. 2 years of highlights of travel scenes flashing through my head. Faces, places, accomplished fears, conquered demons and the realization of being on home turf again in only hours.
A few hours later I boarded a small Air Canada plane destined for Halifax. I was expecting just Nick and Steph to be waiting for me but they were accompanied by Courtnay and Pete. A round of hugs followed by breakfast at Tim Hortons and we were north bound in Nick and Steph's new car, destination Moncton. It was planned that my sister was to pick me up there as it is an hour and half
from home and I could surprise my parents as they expected me home Tuesday evening. My friends were persistent at talking me into staying with them in Moncton to party. One more night, keep the dream alive for a few more hours, sure why not. We visited Crystal Palace so some of us could enjoy the swings we used to enjoy in childhood (every east coast kid is taken there during childhood). We drank at the new casino and got really drunk at a couple pubs in the city. It was a good way to be welcomed back into my country with an exciting night out with great friends.
The next morning my sister got up early to collect me and drive me home. We chatted and drove off into the cool spring sunshine, the shoulders of the roads still snow lined. Just before we got to my parents house I laid down in the back-seat so I could sneak up the driveway unseen. My sister went into the house first and I followed 30 seconds later. I walked in smiled and said “How are ya's”. My dad pointed and said “It's you” then went speechless, even mom was
speechless. This was the first time I had done a surprise visit home. My parents are getting older and I don't plan on surprising them again unless there's an ambulance parked out front. I showed up at lunch time and received a hot meal, in the home I grew up in with my family. Another good welcome back. It was nice to return home, I think I needed a change even though the last few months have been nothing but a dream. I was tired, hungover, in need of some personal grooming, clean clothes but I was home for a rest.
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