We’re here! FINALLY! But actually, I don’t think anyone really felt like it was such a long trip.

Things that made the trip feel long:

• Requesting wheelchair service that was more of a hassle than it was worth. Having to wait for elevators ( when hey now i know why escalators were invented).
• My father bringing in his carry on – several tins of Virginia Peanuts, Old Bay Seasoning whose new tag line should be, “It’s EXPLOSIVE!”
• Having a father and brother who actually do need help carrying heavy luggage and not an actual wheelchair… means adding to our luggage load.
• Five of us had two large luggage pieces, two small (carry on sized) suitcases, 5 backpacks, one booster seat, and one carry on bag with cosmetic
• Uber failures ( Dad didn’t know how to confirm his ride, so I had to get him one after he said the Uber was never arriving)
• Forgetting important gift of smoked fish that probably would have gotten us caught through security and made us miss the plane. (Gotta see the upside)
• A couple of crying babies/children on the plane that I felt deep empathy for… them and their parents.

Things that made the trip feel amazing:

• Presumably the adrenalin of excitement (that we will surely lack on the way home.)
• The kids being so so so good
• This sticker by number book (Paint by Sticker Kids: Zoo… https://www.amazon.com/dp/0761189602?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) that I bought on Amazon for our slightly OCD 4 year old. She completed five pages that have about 40 stickers each at hours of the day like 11pm and 2am after not having slept. I learned a little more about her on the flight than I knew previously.

• When I was having a hard time being on the plane for so long, having the legroom and family there to ask for a hug, kiss, or distraction was so great. Travelling has been hard for me and I’ve been doing it mostly alone for work.