From sheer excitement of going home, we were up earlier than usual that last morning. I think that I was ready to leave around 7:30 am. :)
Our taxi arrived a little before 9 am. We had ordered a van so that we could fit all our luggage in.
That drive to the airport was so scary! The taxi driver drove, whipping in and out of lanes, and weaving through the traffic. We made it safely to the airport, but with slightly frazzled nerves. :)
When we went to check our bags in, the attendant couldn't find our flight number from Chicago to Omaha. Yikes! They finally got it worked out; we just had to get our boarding passes in Chicago. At least we weren't going to be stranded!
Dublin Airport
Once our bags were checked in, we headed over to security, got through that, then went to get our tax returns figured out. That was interesting. :)
Waiting...
Aer Lingus
Our flight didn't leave till 12:50 pm. Since it was only about 10, we went shopping at a "last minute gift shop." Interestingly, the gift shop had to put any purchases into a sealed bag. You can't open it until you've been through the last security check point. Yes, we had to go through another check point. We had to take everything off again (not literally:) and put it through the scanner. Everything went smoothly, thankfully.
Bored Silly
The return flight took 8 hours, 2 hours longer than the first flight.
Supper Time
Around 3 pm Irish time, the flight attendants served us supper. This time, I had a roll, a salad, fruit, and chicken, rice, and veggies. It was OK, but, it "fills the hole" as Aunt Carol says.
Reading
Tea Time
Awhile after supper, they served us tea. They passed out packets of raisin scones with butter and strawberry jam. We also had a choice of tea or coffee. Of course, the four of us in our row chose tea. There's nothing like good, strong Irish tea!
There was quite a bit of turbulence on this flight, I think because there was a 60 mph head wind. A 13 year old boy named Brandon sat with Abi, TJ. and I. He reminded me slightly of KK. Anyway, we all had a lot of fun together during the turbulence. There were some major tummy tickles!
Chicago O'Hare
The flight and landing in Chicago was very rough. We got through safe, though!
Exhausted
When we arrived in Chicago, we had to check out of security, get another boarding pass, then check back into security, all that during a horrible 5 hour layover. For lunch, we went to McDonalds. We were very hungry and thirsty after that long flight!
By the time our little commuter jet left for Omaha, we were all getting exceptionally tired. It was 8 pm CST, but 2 am in Ireland. Remember, they're 6 hours ahead of us. Being awake for over 24 hours isn't very good for ones health... Most of us just tried to sleep on that last leg. The stewardesses didn't even serve drinks and snacks during the flight because there was so much turbulence. That was fine with me! All I wanted was 40 winks and to get off that plane and see my family!
The landing in Omaha was pretty rough too, but what a relief it was when the wheels touched the ground and we walked out into our quiet Eppley airport around 11 pm!
Oh, it was so sweet to come around the corner, and there was a whole crowd of family! Of course there were our families, but Uncle Bernie and Hope, Uncle Mike, Gabby, Savannah and her boyfriend and Michaela. Wow! What a crowd!
I was so tired that I wasn't really thinking or walking straight. Even though I wanted to stay awake on the ride home, I just couldn't. Even if I'd tried, I don't think I would've been able to stay awake.
Someone said once that the best part of a vacation is coming home. I'd have to heartily agree!
No comments:
Post a Comment