Australia seems so far away.

As I'm writing this last post to conclude my blog, and my journal requirment for my semester abroad, I am a bit sad. I must say, I truly do miss Sydney. Not just the city itself, which I do as well, but being on my own in such a far away country, with few responsibilities, and just a world of freedom. I am writing this post in the Snell Library, back in Boston, where I've been now for a week due to RA training. But my journey home started a quite a while ago, so let me start at the beginning.



On Sunday June 28th I woke up with a strange feeling. I had a feeling that I would not be leaving Australia quite yet. I brushed it off as I loaded up my luggage into the van that would be taking the rest of us to the airport for our 2:30 flight. As we were waiting in the line to check in/check our bags, an United employee was walking around talking to different people. I overheard him saying they had overbooked the flight, and were looking for people to stay on layover. I kind of brushed it off at first, but soon began thinking about it when they said they would put you in a hotel over night and you would possibly be on a different airline. The thought of being on anything but United had a huge appeal for me. Everyone in the group thought I was pretty crazy for thinking about doing it, but as I really learned while in Australia, who cares what other people think or say? Definitely not me. I went up to the man to ask more about this 'deal', when I was then informed that if put on layover, an $800 flight credit would be given. I of course then jumped on the opportunity. A FREE trip?! Hell yes! I was then put on layover, said goodbye to the other Northeasterners (in case I didn't end up on the flight) and went to sit for a few hours while they figured out what was happening. At 2 they finally gave me the answer I had been waiting for: I would be staying in Sydney for the night, and leaving the next morning on a Qantas flight to Auckland, and then an Air New Zealand flight to San Fran, and finally a United flight to Bradley (I insisted they get me closer to home than Boston) I called my parents, informing them I would not be coming home that night, but instead Tuesday morning. They were very excited for my flight credits for me! I spent the night in a nice hotel, ordering room service (paid for by them) and just relaxing. I woke up, hopped on my flight, and then was back in NZ. I had a 4 hour layover, and then got onto my next flight, which ended up being delayed for 1.5 hours due to a medical emergency on board. But unlike United, I had an insanely comfortable seat, my own television, unlimited snacks and an open bar, so the flight was quite nice. About 13 hours later, but with the time change about the same time I left, it was now Monday morning as my flight touched down in San Fran. It was a very strange feeling being back in US soil. I went to check in for my flight that night (I had a 12 hour layover this time) and found out I would also be stopping in DC on my way home. Although I hadn't slept in days and was beyond exhausted, I was not going to waste my free day in San Fran. I hopped on the BART and went into the city with two things that I definitely wanted to do: the tram, and seeing the golden gate bridge. As I was walking around the Fisherman's Wharf, I saw something that actually made me think I was so overtired that I was hallucinating. In n Out Burgers. I almost ran the half mile to get there, and when I did, I was probably more excited than ever before. I LOVE in n out. I thought they were only in SoCal, so to get this incredible treat was overwhelming. I gushed to the cashier that this was my first meal in America in almost 5 months, and was my favorite food, and was so so excited. She seemed happy for me, but also possibly thought I was insane. I then spent the day wandering around SF and having a great, but exhausting time. I went back to the airport for my midnight flight to DC. That 5.5 hour leg was absolutely the longest. As I don't sleep on planes, I was obviously awake for the whole thing, and it just took forever. I got off, and only had a 45 minute wait this time, in which I grabbed Starbucks and was then on my next and last plane. Of course I was seated in the very last seat in the very last row, which seemed very cruel and inhumane when I finally got to Bradley and was the last off the plane. But I had made it!! When I saw my dad I burst into tears. I was finally home. It had taken 61 hours, 4 flights, 5 airports, but I had made it.



The first week I was home was consumed with jet lag. I was awake all night and asleep all day. Luckily since I got home 2 days later than planned, I had to postpone my wisdom teeth coming out, so I could just sleep sans pain for a while. To be completely honest, it was really difficult to come home, and for the beginning of the summer I was just feeling awkward and out of place. It got better and by mid July I was feeling back to my old self. So much had changed while I was gone, but so much had stayed the same. Once I got back into the swing of things everything seemed to be okay. I still miss Australia every day. It's now been exactly eight weeks since I got home, and I'm already ready for my next big trip. I spent the morning in Barnes and Noble looking through the travel section, trying to find something to cure my wanderlust I've been feeling since being back at school.



I'm not going to go on and on about how much I've changed, because I think that is really evident from the progression of these journal entries. And like I said a few months ago, only I will really be able to know the ways I've changed. It's very exciting though to think about my next big adventure, and to know how ready for it I am thanks to my time I spent abroad. There is so much I want to write, but don't know how to say it. Not to be completely cliche, but I really think this quote is completely relevant to my experience, and sums it up very well, and it is what I will end this blog with.



"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference"



-Robert E. Frost