Traveling Home

Afghanistan:

We started our afternoon off by traveling through the crazy traffic were there are no lines on the road. Once we got to the airport, just around the first block, all of the men had to exit the van and then got patted down. Once we drove in a little more, we all got out. Sherry and I were patted down in a covered room. The men had our suitcases checked for the first time, and the men got patted down again. While having our bags checked, Kyle was winked at repeatedly by a security person. He asked if the bags were okay and was told yes. The man still winked at him. Kyle then asked if he wanted to see his passport. The man looked it over and kept winking. After getting the bags and passport back he asked our driver what it meant for an Afghan man to wink repeatedly at you. He was told that the man probably wanted money. Kyle was relieved that he did not want a date. We got back in the car and traveled a little more to the first parking lot. Security has heightened quite a bit, so you have to walk quite a ways to get to the airport. We had to leave Perry and Sherry at one of the checkpoints on our walk. We were blessed to have had to opportunity to see them. We passed through another security check before arriving at the line outside of the airport terminal.

As soon as we entered the airport, grandpa Hal and Kyle were again patted down. I went to a separate area to be patted down. We then sent our luggage through the x-ray machines. Kyle and Grandpa Hal had gotten pretty warm with our travels so far, so they got some water and we head upstairs to the next screening process. We went through Passport Control and then had our carry-ons x-rayed and then hand searched. Finally we sat down at our terminal and I ate some nan, the local bread.

In the air to Dubai:

The flight to Dubai was fine. The food wasn't great, but that isn't surprising. I did enjoy the fresh fruit with pomegranate. I didn't enjoy landing since my sinus infection was causing havoc on my ears.

Dubai:

Since we changed airlines, we had to get our luggage and recheck it in. It took us quite awhile to find the departing flights since we had no clear direction and we had to cross a street. We got our stuff scanned and then had to find our airline to get the tickets. That too was quite a process since several airlines worked together for these big international flights. We finally got our tickets and head for our terminal. We stopped at a coffee shop. Grandpa Hal got a large cup of fancy coffee and a berry muffin he gladly shared. Kyle got us waters. Grandpa Hal picked up a new book and Kyle found a great coffee mug for my dad for his birthday. At the boarding gate, they had more heightened security in comparison to our way into Afghanistan. They had all of the carry-on luggage carefully hand searched, and I got patted down again.

In the air to Georgia:

The flight from Dubai to Georgia was okay for a 15 hour flight. My sinus infection wasn't fun to deal with. I think I went through around 40 tissues. Thankfully Sherry had given us a new box of tissues before we left. I was able to get some sleep. I played a couple of card games on my personal tv screen and watched Mulan. I've always loved that Disney movie. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep, but more than likely it is being pregnant, but I sure do get teary eyed at movies these days. I also enjoyed an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. I got to see half an episode of House before the landing process put all of our screens on the landing screen savers. My sinus infection was no better for this landing on my ears.

Georgia:

If you thought the beginning of our flights were crazy, you'll never believe how much Georgia was far superior in its craziness. When we landed we were told that federal workers would be checking our passports before we got off the breeze way and into the airport. That made getting off the plane a much longer process. The breeze way was so cold that we could see our breath. It had been warm in Dubai, so Kyle stuffed all of his sweaters and coats into his checked baggage. Grandpa Hal had on a sweat suit and a coat, so he graciously offered the coat to Kyle. Although Grandpa Hal was the one talked to the most on the flight over, it would be Kyle that was ever so lucky this time around. We were asked several questions by one of the federal workers. I don't think he liked our answers, or the fact that we'd been to another Middle Eastern country four years ago. He wrote some alpha code designation on the top of our customs paper.

When we went through customs, those special letters got our customs paper and our passports put into a red file which was handed to a uniformed man. He escorted us to a questioning room. This room's waiting room automatically locked once you came inside; like a jewelry store. Only a badge or a push code could let you out. Grandpa Hal had gone through with flying colors, so he made his way downstairs. We however waited for about half an hour before Kyle was interrogated. I finished a great children's novel called Fair Weather by Richard Peck. If you like funny stories and want to know about the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, I'd highly recommend it. I also worked on a couple of Suduko puzzles while waiting. Kyle answered all kinds of questions about why we had been in Afghanistan, where his parents worked, and why we had been in yet another tense country. The good thing was that we still had our letters of invitation from Perry's work. After about 15 mintues and a nice stamp on our papers, we found Grandpa Hal downstairs. He was understandably a bit worked up. I had tried to get permission to call him but I was told that he would be waiting for us downstairs. Once we went through another checkpoint, Kyle and I were separated again from Grandpa Hal since our custom papers had those lovely letters on it.

It was getting really close to our departure time, so Kyle asked if we could call our Grandpa. They asked if it was an emergency. Kyle explained that we'd already been separated from Grandpa and that he as already probably having a conniption fit. We were granted a short call. Kyle called Grandpa to tell him to board even if we didn't make it since we each had our our luggage. The odd thing was that Grandpa didn't answer. When going through TSA, he'd left his cell phone in his pocket. So his initial walk through didn't make it. His cell phone was then separated from all of his other stuff and thus mistakenly forgotten. Kyle explained to the TSA worker that answered Grandpa's phone that once he got through this security check point he'd grab the cell phone and then find Grandpa. However, the TSA worker explained that Grandpa would have to pick up his phone. We were called up and asked a few more questions. After a couple of questions, Kyle explained that a nice guy back at the customs office had already talked with him for 15 minutes. That sped up the process quite a bit. We went through TSA and found Grandpa in the process of getting his cell phone. He was describing it to the worker. The guy asked his what the number was for the phone. He explained that he didn't know since he didn't call himself. Ha! We got the cell phone and headed for the train that would take us to our terminal.

Upon arrival of the boarding gate we realized that our flight had been moved. Thankfully, it was only 2 gates over, or so it appeared. The airline was right, and the time was right, but the flight number was not. Grandpa and I stood in the line which was boarding (yes they were already boarding!!!) and Kyle checked with the front desk. We were in the right line! I breathed a sigh of relief and was so glad to sit down on our last flight.

In the air to LAX:

My ears were really a mess by then, so I wasn't able to lean onto Kyle's shoulder without getting nauseous. I ended up not being able to sleep during that 5 hour flight. I also realized I'd left the rest of the nan on our previous flight. I knew we wouldn't get a real meal on this flight. I was a little worried about me and my sudden hunger moments, but it worked out okay. I did pay for blue berry muffin, and it tided me over. The descend didn't work well on my ears, nor on my stomach. But we landed in my home time zone, so what did I have to complain about it.

Los Angeles:

I know that at this point you are hoping I feel great and that life will be easy, but sadly it wasn't. As in our flight to Afghanistan, my luggage got lost. I was exhausted and hungry. My sister and niece were going around the traffic circle and were ready to pick us up. My cell phone and Kyle's were dead. We found a plug, got Tara's number, and then used Grandpa's cell phone to call. We were told that the luggage would probably be on the next flight which would land in about an hour. Being hungry, I opted to grab some food and then come back. Even though I couldn't taste much, a bean burrito from Taco Bell was what I craved. Thankfully there was a Taco Bell near by.

After eating we headed back to LAX. Grandpa and Kyle hopped out while we made the circle of traffic fun. Luckily the luggage had arrived and we headed home. I was pretty sick by this point and bumped Ashlee out of the front seat so that I could see where we were going. I ended up being able to curl up in the front seat without any nausea. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep, but we were headed to my parents' house, and that was all that mattered at the time. During the drive home, Tara, my RN sister, figured I had a sinus infection with my symptoms. Kyle then using Tara's iPhone made a doctor's appointment for me the next day.

Bakersfield:

We arrived at my parents to realize that none of us had a key. Luckily my mom works near by, so we called. She didn't answer. My brother who works near by didn't answer either. A few minutes later my mom called and happily came home for a minute to let us in.

I was SO grateful for a nice hot shower. All of my clothes needed to be washed, so I borrowed my mom's pj pants, a shirt from my brother, and a sweatshirt of my dad. I then blessedly fell asleep on the couch. My mom made her famous meatball heros, which from the very little I could taste tasted great. Everyone else seemed to enjoy them thoroughly. We got our laundry started and went to bed at a decent hour.

I woke up around 4 since I'd napped so late. I had bowl of cereal. Later I had another bowl of cereal. Before we left I had a wheat English muffin with peanut butter. Before we left town, Kyle got me a bean burrito from Taco Bell. I was glad my appetite was back in full swing, but goodness it is crazy how much I eat in the mornings.

Fresno:

We headed home, and I was able to sleep for a good part of the trip. We didn't have time to stop at home before my dr. appointment. The doctor confirmed that Tara was right, and I got a prescription for some antibiotics.

Home:

Now we'd been home for a little while. We did some grocery shopping yesterday. My stomach was sour, so I took a nap yesterday. It turned out to be a 4.5 hour nap form 1:30-6. Kyle made dinner, because he is an amazing husband who takes great care of me. We went to bed at 8:30. I guess it is no wonder why I woke up at 3:06 ready to go for the day. Maybe now that I've been up for 4 hours I can take a nap. Who knew you could take a nap at 7 in the morning? :)

I plan to be back at work on Monday. The antibiotics are working. I can taste most foods again. My ears aren't quite right, but they are much better. I'm excited to get back in the swing of things. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have visited Perry and Sherry despite the drama on the way home. They are worth it!