I'm Home!

Well my travel day home was a very long day. The flight from Brussels to Atlanta was 10 hours. I was to have a 2.5 hour layover in Atlanta, but we were late leaving Brussels, waiting on passengers coming from a flight from Helsinki. I was lucky, I switched seats at the last second and was able to sit at one of the bulkheads, so I had plenty of leg room! We got 2 hot meals, snacks, watched 3 movies, several TV programs, advertisements, they kept us occupied. The flight was great, just a few patches of turbulence here and there, but fantastic for the most part. They have a GPS on the flight where you can watch and track your flight, give the altitude, speed, times, air temp, very interesting.

Mom and John came to the airport to pick me up and brought a surprise! Bob and Suzy were there, Bob with camera in hand and Suzy with a welcome home sign and a balloon. It was so nice to see them and be welcomed home like that!!

I had been told several times that John's kids were going to Chicago for the weekend and that Mary Helen was going to be busy so I wouldn't see them right away. Well, they are all liars! When I got home there was a houseful of my family, waiting with Jockamos pizza and mom's vegetable soup - it was fantastic. I was beyond exhausted but stayed up til about 10 p.m, then off to bed. I got up about 6 a.m. and did sleep all night, with the help of Ambien!!! I feel much better this morning, but I am most importantly glad to be home again! There is no place like home!

My Last Week in Brussels

Well it is now my last week in Brussels. This past weekend was a bit uneventful. I shopped on Saturday and did some photos on Sunday. They had a marathon here, so I went and watched the start and then walked down to where the finish took place, at the Grand Place. I cannot understand how those runners could run 26 miles on the cobblestone streets, it's hard enough just to walk on them. Last night I was at the local American bar/restaurant around the corner from the hotel and talked to one of the runners - he was amazed at how "hilly" it is here and then also complained about the cobblestones - he said he was in a great deal of pain - no doubt! I was able to watch the Colts beat the Seahawks last night, what a great feeling it was to see them on TV. It was rather funny....when we first got to the bar (Fat Boys) it was filled with Brits watching the "other" football. As soon as that game was over the place cleared out and then filled with Americans!! Can't believe I didn't know about this place until my last week here - oh well.

I may have my last photo op tonight - the farmers here are protesting over the price of milk - we've gotten emails here at the Embassy warning about traffic snarls due to all the TRACTORS!! I MUST get photos of this!!

Will be glad to be back on American soil - can't wait to see everyone when I get home.