My Journey Home – 12/20/17

Every night I looked forward to what candy would be placed on my pillow upon my return back to my hotel. But alas, I had received my final candy and like all good things, my holiday abroad was coming to an end.

In the morning I had two flights ahead of me before I would arrive back in the good ol’ USA. 

In no time we were out of the room and on our way only slightly delayed. I usually do not get too nervous flying but I only had a 50 minute layover between flights in Iceland. As much as I would have liked some extra time to explore that country, even more so after watching some promotional videos on the plane, I really wanted to get back home. Considering it was the only flight to Chicago that day I needed to make the connection!

I landed in Iceland at 4:45pm. My flight was due to take off at 4:45pm. A lot of things that happen in movies are questionable if they can happen. For example, in movies people are always running to catch their flights. That I can tell you, really happens! As soon as I got off the plane, about 80% of my flight and I started sprinting through the airport to make our various connecting flights. I made it to passport control and it was about the fastest I have ever went through a checkpoint. Then as I was scanning my ticket the gates would not open. A representative came over to help me and she said I was “selected to get additional screening”. Yippee!

I walked over to the special security area and was given a number and told to wait in a room. When my number was called I was taken to a smaller, private room with two security guards. They had to thoroughly search me and all of my belongings. This included having to pry my laptop case off with a spoon. They must have observed that I was quite distraught because they told me my plane had to wait for me. I thought to myself, they better be right!

After successfully completing security I once again went running through the airport. A couple other people from my previous flight were there and told me that they wouldn’t have let the plane leave without me. Ahhh! We boarded a bus that took us to our plane and were soon on our way.

Thankfully my Dad was able to pick me up at the airport and drive me home. It’s the best feeling in the world to have a familiar face waiting for you on arrival at an airport!

Now I am home sweet home. So happy to see my family and be back in Wisconsin, in the land of drinkable milk and water!