As I write this, I am sitting under a lovely red delta blanket on a mat that the Minneapolis/ St. Paul airport provided to all the lucky people who were stranded by thunderstorms last night. I have decided that for whatever reason The World Race is not meant to end quite yet for me. Sixty hours ago, I was getting on the bus to go the Manila airport. To show the travel fun, it broke down about a mile from the airport. We had plenty of time so it was not stressful, but it was amusing so see this little tow truck show up and tow the bus, with our bags and us to the airport ramp. We then loaded our bags into a security van and walked up the ramp to the departure area. It was a unique start to the trip.
I have been fighting some sort of secondary infection and as we stood waiting to check in, the goiter on my neck began to grow. By the time we got on our flight, it was huge. Some of the swelling has gone down over the past couple of days so that is good, but I still have a decent size goiter.
Our first two flights were smooth and I arrived in LA Saturday night to have an In 'n' Out burger and shake and to go visit Athletes in Action's Urban Project. It was so fun to connect with staff who staffed my first summer project in 1997 and then Mike Sylvester who staff the Chicago Urban Project I went on in 1999. They spoiled us rotten feeding us and taking care of us. I had to chuckle as we took hot showers in the fraternity house where the project is staying. I never thought I would appreciate a fraternity shower, but it was amazing.
Yesterday, I was all geared up to be home. I boarded my flight to Minneapolis and all was going well. I could see the Minneapolis city lights and then we were circling and it was getting closer to the time of my next flight. I was getting nervous as I had just over an hour layover. Then the bottom fell out. The pilot announced that due to thunderstorms we were rerouting to Madison, Wisconsin to get fuel. UGHHH!!!!! I may have shed a few tears.
3 1/2 hours later, we finally returned to Minneapolis, but not before I had missed my flight to Sioux Falls. I debated renting a car, but decided $200 was a bit steep. So, I spent the night on the floor in the Minneapolis airport and am now schedule to fly out at 3:55pm. That would mean door to door my trip would take a whopping 72 hours and include 5 flights.
I am praying that I can get on one of the earlier flights as I just want to be home!!!!
Oh the joys of international travel. I guess I should be thankful that I had a mat to sleep on and a blanket. There is clean drinking water, the airport doesn't smell, I have bathrooms available, my mom turned my cell phone on so I've been able to talk with family and friends and anytime now McDonalds and Starbucks should open. I am trying to see the positives, but this is testing me. I'm read for The World Race to end.
