Well, I started this post as my plane began the descent into MCO, and I'm finishing it in my 1st big girl (1br) apartment in Tallahassee. I still can't believe that this great adventure has come to an end. It began May 1st with a short trip to NY to see friends and family, and that's just how it's ended on August 20th. That's 3 months and 20 days since I've been in the state of Florida.
Here's a little tip for anyone flying out of the NYC area, if you fly out of Westchester, you get some amazing views of the city. It was cloudy when we took off, so I didn't stare out the window like I usually would, and nearly missed these sights.
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| Manhattan, Central Park on left |
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| Governors Island between Manhattan and Brooklyn |
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| (Ellis and Liberty Islands) |
Plus, it's such a small airport, you don't need to get there super early, or freak out about how to find your terminal, or deal with city traffic, and it only cost about $15 more for a flight to Orlando. Thank you Jet Blue.
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| Yes... this is how small the Westchester airport is |
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| Somewhere along the Atlantic coast of Florida, perhaps Daytona? |
And how appropriate is this? Pitbull came on the station I was listening to on the plane as we flew over some very familiar sights... Sandy beaches, azure waters, deep blue lakes and rivers, dark green pines, the grids of central Florida suburbs with their snaking highways to connect them, and what looks like a wildfire in the distance, yup... that's FL for you, always getting blown away or burnt down.
As my plane touched down, something strange and uncontrollable happened... I felt a tightness in my chest and started to cry. The little kid sitting next to me must have thought I was crazy- he's starting a family vacation to the happiest place on Earth, and sitting there in a teal dress and black cowboy boots, I couldn't wipe the tears away fast enough. At least my seat was at the back of the plane, so I had some time to compose myself before disembarking-23A, same one I sat in to fly to NY nearly 4 months earlier.
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| The fields & suburbs of Central FL |
I forgot how big MCO is; that I'd have to take a shuttle before getting to the baggage claim. I stood there, starring out the window at familiar, yet strange folliage, hoping my ride wouldn't be hard to find once I reached the main terminal. I called as soon as I got off the tram, and didn't get an answer, but she found me. С первого взгляда на мою самую лучшую подругу, и я заплакала... как ребёнок. - Upon seeing my best friend, I cried like a baby. Ugly cried in public. Not from the happiness of seeing her, we've gone years without seeing each other. Not from being back in the states, or FL, or "home". I couldn't stop crying because this meant it was over. (And the fact that I was ugly crying in the airport made me more embarrassed, which led to more crying) This crazy, hectic, stressful, awesome adventure was over. The problems and stresses of real life awaited me... 2 months later & I still haven't addressed some of those issues... She tried to make me feel better by telling me that her daughter, my god daughter, told her that morning that she was so excited to see me, she thought she might cry. So I'm on the same level as a 6 year old when it comes to controlling my emotions apparently... actually worse, because she did a great job of not crying when we picked her up from school, while I fought back tears. This time because I couldn't believe how much she grew up while I was gone. The day I can't pick her up and smother her with kisses after being gone for a long time, will be a very sad day... for me that is, she'll be glad I can't embarrass her in public anymore.
So, while waiting for my luggage, I offered up some Imeruli Khatchapuri to Teri, to hold us over till we could get home and get lunch - I don't care how unsanitary it may have been to keep that stuff with me all the way from Georgia, but my host mom made it for me, and I needed it. I needed it to comfort me, just like when I was sick and she made me tea. I was sick when I left Batumi too, my host mom, again, did everything she could to make me, a very stubborn girl that never takes medicine, feel better. She even sent me home with some crazy Georgian лекарство (medicine) that burns so good when you put it on, mainly because it will clear up your congestion in a jiffy. Cultural note: in Russian, you always drink medicine, even if it's a cream you rub under your nose.
Here's a practical lesson for you, one I encourage you to use states side: if you ever sit near someone who doesn't know how to cover their mouth when they cough - punch them. Punch them right in the throat. They deserve it and everyone will thank you for it, because they were wanting to do the same thing, but were too afraid. And to those of you who don't cover your mouth when you cough- when people call you out on it, it's not a joke- we're judging you and plotting to murder you in your sleep because you're going to get us sick, ya nasty.
And I'll leave you with that for now. The past 2 months of adjusting back to "normal" life can warrant their own post. Plus, there are still so many photos to go through and stories to tell later, I want to do them justice!
