Going Home

We are pushing back in Amsterdam right on time. Flight time is 9 hrs and 25 minutes. Distance is 4867 miles which seems too short but I don’t think the Delta seat-back app info would be wrong. The flight is full because of other flight cancellations. When I looked yesterday there was hardly anyone on the flight. For the airline’s sake I’m glad it’s full. For our sakes I would have preferred a less crowded flight. But the bottom line is we made our connecting flight and if all goes well should be home in 12 hours  or so. I’m still amazed this is possible.

I slept very little. We both woke shortly after 2. Jim was having the anxious feeling again. We dropped the car off and were in line by 3:45. The Zagreb airport is new and spacious and modern but the check in desks don’t open till 4. And they lack info regarding where to line up. We’ve never had a long wait before but today we waited nearly an hour. There was a large group of college girls who were part of a basketball team from Massachusetts in front of us and for some reason it took a long time to check them all in. In any case, we made it to the gate (after a miserable time in the security check line because I really needed to pee). Our flight was just about on time and our passport clearance line in Amsterdam was ultra short. Once again our boarding passes didn’t scan. Same thing happened on our way here. 

Although I am a little sad to be leaving the Balkans, I also look forward to getting back to a slower less busy routine. But as I’ve said, I do feel a bit anxious about our house, and needing to focus on house hunting. I still feel very mixed about giving up what we have in Seattle for something I might like less someplace else. 

I feel so grateful for the chance to have traveled again. This trip was as good as all the past 7 trips. Every day was rich and filled with interesting interactions, observations and experiences. The only down sides at all were my day of being sick, a couple days of headaches, and Jim’s vertigo flaring up. I hope he can find relief soon.

If I was being picky it would have been nice if we had a few warmer days and evenings but overall the weather was pretty ideal, vey comfortable for long walks- never too hot or cold. The  occasional rain didn’t interfere with our activities. We didn’t do any real hikes in the wilderness which I know was disappointing for Jim but we had many long lovely walks and so many good days with family, hosts and friends. I would like to go again if health, money, and politics allow. But as I’ve said, if we can’t go again I don’t think I will feel great disappointment. I feel abundantly blessed and grateful.

So many people asked us, as happens on every trip, if we might move over there. I feel the way I’ve felt these past 8-10 years- it’s fun to fantasize about it but I don’t think I truly want to leave the US even with all its worsening problems. Profound problems exist all over the world. There is so escaping them. My two biggest concerns in Serbia are the corrupt government and the lack of environmental protections. It’s heartbreaking seeing the air, water and land being ruined and resources exploited. But if Trump and his people have their way our own protections will be removed as well. I just keep praying that a better group in both countries will come to power before too much damage occurs. But I’m not going to hold my breath.

As I’ve said, I also feel reluctant to have an ocean between Cedar and me/us. If he wanted to move there I would consider the possibility more seriously. But even though he dreams of it also I don’t think he would ever do it. It’s interesting to ponder- my ancestors left their homes in order to allow their offspring to have more choices and chances for better lives. But now, it is possible that one could have a better life in the old country, depending on what one values. Most people in the Balkans earn and have far less money than most people in the U.S., yet they tend to have ‘enough’ and without working so many hours. They also have a more humane culture and value community more than many of us experience in America. They have far less violent crime than we do and it is safe to walk anywhere day or night. But at least right now I plan to stay in America.

…it’s Friday now. We arrived at Sea-Tac a half hour early. Going through customs was quick. Our kind friends met us and drove us home. Along the way I saw a drug addict passed out on the sidewalk, as well as piles of trash and abandoned items, reminders of what is now normal in Seattle and other cities, and what I never saw in the Balkans. But on a brighter note I was struck by the green green green of the trees and plants and so many colorful flowering shrubs and trees throughout the city. Nature here is breathtakingly beautiful all year but especially in spring.

Our Housesitter was waiting for us. He had done a good job cleaning the house, especially the kitchen. It was nice to come home to a clean house. Not being a plant person a few of our plants suffered under his care in our absence but most are ok. And our dryer doesn’t work but Chris said he never used it so that’s a bit of a mystery. Jim ordered a part and thinks he can fix it. In any case, we are grateful no major problems arose at the house while we were away.

We went to bed at 7:30 and I got 2 chunks of 4 hours sleep with 4 hours of awake time in between. But last night I woke at 1 am and never went back to sleep. It might take a week or so to get back in synch with Pacific time.

Despite being tired I was eager to walk to the park and see what transpired while we were away. The beavers and their dams and ponds seem to be fine. I saw three batches of cute cute fluffy baby ducks. And a heron. And various birds. And of course ferns. Salmon berries are beginning to ripen. Even though I deeply love and appreciate so many landscapes, parks and places in this country and in the Balkans, I feel most at home here in the green exuberant forests in the northwest. As I walked along, touching and greeting trees, leaves and ferns I felt like I was returning to beloved friends.

Once I’m rested I look forward to putting together another trip book, and then get back to editing all the Balkan inspired stories I’ve written these past several years. Maybe this will be the year that I finally finish my book/s?

If you are reading this I’d appreciate your input- as a reader would you prefer two separate books- one that is made up of stories based on ‘real’ experiences and events from the 8 trips I’ve taken, and another that contains fictional short stories inspired by my experiences? Or would you prefer having one book with the fictional and non-fiction intermingled?

I’m currently leaning toward two separate books…

Thank-you for following along on this trip to whatever degree you have!