14. Tag: Homeward bound

Today is the day that brings up a lot of emotions. Both positive and negative. Of course I'm sad that it's all over. It always goes by so quickly. You're there, you think you still have everything ahead of you and you can hardly wait, and then it's over again. But on the other hand, there's always the certainty that something is coming. And the heat really isn't for me in the long run. I'm really looking forward to pleasant temperatures.

Last night was OK and my room was really good in retrospect. I take my time and even after breakfast I rest a bit because I know it's going to be a long day.

I don't leave until just before twelve and enjoy the beautiful landscape of Arizona one last time. It's only two hours to Phoenix and I go into a cool Walmart for the last time and buy myself two caps, among other things. I don't wear them often enough. I have no idea what drives me.

I looked up the gas station to fill up at on the internet. And it's really weird. It's in a run-down area, but everything works and the gas is much cheaper than at the one closest to the airport.

My bags are finally packed, the rubbish has been disposed of and the last step is to return the car to Alamo. I am now sure that I will use the same rental company next time, even if they are not the cheapest. They are simply great. The return is completely problem-free and the young woman who quickly checks the car is happy that I had such a good time. And says that she absolutely has to go to Germany.

The well-tempered airport is then my home for the next four hours, as the departure is delayed by half an hour. I don't realize that the check-in is one floor below, and I lug my large suitcase through the security check. Which of course means that they want to take all my liquids away from me. Luckily, they are all very nice and let me check in my suitcase, and the whole procedure starts again, this time without any problems. You have to be that stupid to be able to do it.

At the gate we then have to wait and wait and wait until we finally get on the plane, which ultimately takes off an hour and a half later than planned because we wait 25 minutes on the tarmac for arriving planes.

I upgraded to Premium Economy and don't regret it. There is more space to sit and there is no one next to me. After the meal, the window hatches remain closed and the whole plane dozes off while the sun shines outside. Unfortunately, I can't sleep, but the flight goes by pretty quickly anyway.

Things go pretty quickly in Frankfurt, even though we are picked up by bus, and when I arrive at the station, the train that will take me to Bad Kreuznach is just arriving. But it is so full that I almost can't get on. A few people from Saarland are joking around inside, so I join in. The train ride is sheer horror, and more exhausting than the TransAtlantic flight. But that too passes, and I treat myself to a taxi to my apartment. At just after six, I am actually in my apartment after almost 23 hours of travel.

And even though I'll be back to everyday life tomorrow, I don't regret this trip one bit. It was incredible what I was able to see and how everything turned out much better than I could have imagined. I don't know when I'll be in this wonderful country next, but it's a damn awesome place. Wonderful USA!