Home, Full Circle

I arrived in New York around 9pm last night and have spent the past nine hours in the lovely JFK airport. It’s not so terrible once you get to know the ropes. JFK and I had our differences at first; it was rough, but I feel like we have a mutual understanding now.

I’m also entirely convinced that British Airways is the best airline to fly. My flights there and back were probably a couple of the highlights for my England stay ;) I was ecstatic to receive my second little packet of miniature toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, and eye cover thingy (I should figure out what those are called). Also—don’t judge—I watched three movies and three TV episodes during the flight. AND they fed me, not once, but twice. I had chicken tikka and raspberry chocolate mousse and then later a chicken sandwich. So I watched more entertainment and had more food in that eight-hour period than my span of three weeks (not really on the food, but that definitely got me excited).

One thing, though…I might have stolen one of their blankets. I know you’re not supposed to, but all I could think about was my long, cold night at the airport and couldn’t help it: I stuffed that blanket in my bag Bonnie-style. I was seated toward the back and waited, to be safe, till the rows behind me filed out. Did this result in the very last spot of the line going through customs? Yes. Did I feel like my backpack suddenly became see-through to unveil my criminal habit? Yes. Was it worth it? At midnight in the ever-decreasing temperature, huddled on a bench with a BA blanket (that’s British Airways…this blanket isn't that cool), I thought, “Yes, of course it was worth it.” At 6:00 this morning as I was getting ready to head to my terminal and realized I left my Ireland, organic cotton, ridiculous-amount-of-euro scarf under the seat in my frantic state to get away scot-free with the blanket I thought, “Nooo, that was so not worth it.” Karma.

As I type this, however, I am waiting for the Lost & Found of BA to open so that I can hopefully retrieve it. I will give them back their blanket and offer to make them a hundred more as long as I get my scarf back.  

My ticket: First I thought, "World Traveler. That's really cool." Then I realized "world traveler" is just a nice way of them saying "Yeah, you're in coach, sucker."

Well, in just over an hour I fly to Portland. It feels like I’ve been gone forever, and yet my trip seemed so short. I had the most amazing time, met some of the best people, and got to see more of the world—this is what I love, and this is what I’ll be waiting for as soon as possible.

I left my glasses, SIM card, and heart in Ireland (“lost” my be a more fitting verb for the two former) and some day I will go back for them.

Now for me to find my lost scarf. Fingers crossed.

Update: I take it back. British Airways is not the best airline to fly. They did not return my scarf. Serves me right.  I got a number for the UK lost and found at BA, though, and they will hear from me very soon.
Also, a tidbit of very unnecessary information: I'm pretty sure I have gained at least five pounds in the past 30 hours. It's like I'm some kid just out of Auschwitz who is suddenly surrounded by reasonably priced food in a money system I actually have (I know it's not really like that at all...). Regardless, I'm going running tonight.