Romania: Bones & Immortality: 2014

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Now what?

I feel somewhat adrift without posting on my blog every day. Now that I am home, I am just getting the kids ready to go back to school. Vaccinations, sports physicals, school shopping etc. Boring stuff that's not really blog worthy. The kids will be in 6th, 9th & 10th grades, plus the oldest will be a sophomore in his electrical engineering program and the second oldest will start on his Biology major at EWU with me. (We are riding the bus together.)

I start classes again at the end of September. I am actually done with my Anthropology major, but I am taking the next year to earn a Biology minor while I get ready to apply to graduate schools. Unless I stay at EWU (which doesn't have a MA/PhD in Physical or Forensic Anthro) grad school will mean moving. I feel like I need to apply to my dream school and a few others or I will regret it later. I guess I won't worry too much about that until I see how I do on my GRE test and then I still have to get accepted.

I would be happy to answer any questions anyone might have about my trip. You can post in the comments or use the "contact me" widget on the right side of my blog page.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Home Sweet 'Murica!

In the last episode of Bones & Immortality, I was preparing to fly home from Budapest...

On Wednesday morning, I woke at 3am after only having slept for about an hour and a half. I had a migraine and I just couldn't go to sleep. I laid in my bed and watched lightning through my balcony doors all night. By 3:45am, I was ready to go. I took the elevator down to the lobby of the hostel and returned my keys to the security guard. He opened the door for me and I went out to wait for the airport shuttle. And then, he locked the door behind me. So, there I was standing on the sidewalk in downtown Budapest at 3:50am by myself. I should have thought that one through a little better. Oh well. I wasn't really alone. The streets were still busy with drunks wandering home from bars. (why do drunk people always sing?)

My shuttle arrived on time and collected several other travelers on the way to the airport. The shuttle was my biggest worry. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get to the airport on time. I did! The driver dropped us off at the door to the terminal. I went in and stood in a very long line for Air France. The skies opened up not long after. I am glad I didn't get caught in the downpour. When it was my turn at the ticket counter, the customer service person told me I had to go print my boarding passes using the self-service, but I didn't have to get back in line. The self-service machine printed a notice that I had to go to the counter to print my boarding pass. The lady huffed at me, but took care of it. The flight between Budapest and Paris was less than two hours. It was rather turbulent because of the weather, but it was okay.

In Paris, I had my passport stamped. The Paris airport is huge. I had to board a bus and be driven to the appropriate terminal. This flight would be around 10 hours and landed in Seattle. It was one of those huge Airbus planes. They served two snacks and lunch in flight. I watched the entire 2nd season of Vikings, plus another movie since I couldn't sleep. In Seattle, I was herded into the passport check area which is self-serve and gives you a receipt to show a guard on the way out who then stamps your passport. Then, I went downstairs to collect my luggage. Guards stand around making sure you don't open any bags, use a camera or your cell phone. I had to recheck my luggage and have my boarding pass printed. Next, I had to go through security again. Then, three tram rides to the correct terminal.

The plane to Seattle was a turboprop. I believe it had 78 seats. The flight attendant sat right behind me in her jump seat. It was a 40 minute flight. In Spokane, I went to the baggage claim and waited for my suitcase. It did not arrive. The lost baggage lady told me it was probably hung up in customs or TSA didn't have enough time to check it and get it on my flight. I could wait for the next flight which landed in 15 minutes and see if it was on that one. I did, it was not. Kelly was outside waiting for me, so I went out to see him. The next incoming flight was in an hour, so we went to get a drink (Dr. Pepper-finally!) and came back. My luggage was the first one out from the next flight! Yay!

I am home! My kids are all great. The house is still standing and yes, it is messier than I would like, but it's all good. It was an amazing trip, but I am so glad to be home.