I woke up with a strange tummy ache and soon after threw up. It was early and G&B were meeting us to walk us to the train station. The bakeries weren’t open yet, so we decided to eat at the airport. We said our goodbyes to Graeme and Becky with tears and words of love. We jumped on a train/metro to the airport. I was mostly doing ok until we were getting near to our stop. More nausea and didn’t quite get the sick bag out in time, so threw up on the train. Tried to clean it up.
At the airport, we got into our check in line only to find that we were in the wrong one for a bit, switched to the right one. We finally were checking in and I was hit with another wave of nausea and threw up right in front of the British Airways woman who was checking us in. She asked if I was ok to fly. Sure hope so! I found a loo and got myself cleaned up. We made our way to the gate and I lay down on the floor and slept for a bit.
When we were called to board, I got in line and sure enough, I threw up AGAIN! That’s 4 times since I woke up. Got on the plane and an incredibly kind flight attendant asked if I was ok, got me some ginger ale and then a little while later, here we go again. Mega vomit of all the fluids I was trying to rehydrate with. The attendant gave me some anti-nausea meds, some rehydration tabs. She also said that if they had known I had thrown up so many times, I wouldn’t have been allowed to fly. She told me to try to get myself together at Heathrow and not throw up any more and get myself home. She said she would have to file a report as well.
We arrived at Heathrow and it was crowded! Whatever she gave me was helping me not throw up which was great. We all took turns wandering and buying food. I bought some fruit, Hula Hoops, Irn Bru, and Twirl Bars. I didn’t eat anything except the fruit (still haven’t). We had about 5 hours in Heathrow. I wish I had been feeling better so that I could soak up the Englishness. There was a Harrods store that had Summer dresses 50% off, I had a look, they were still 370 pounds!
We went to our gate when it was announced and boarded our flight. We had 3 seats together and 1 quite a way away. I was going to be in the one far away because I thought I would try to sleep. Colin asked the guy in the seat next to him if he would swap with me though and he did so we all ended up together which was great. We watched the Dungeons and Dragons movie, and the Avatar, Way of Water movie. I ate all the meals they offered and didn’t throw up. The motion sickness pills didn’t seem to make me too sleepy. Our goal at this point was to stay awake for the flight. We were due into Portland around 5 pm so we wanted to stay awake until bedtime.
We arrived in Portland, immigration was pretty easy, but it took so long for our luggage to come thru – Philip was already waiting for us. When we got our luggage, we discovered that we had to take a bus with our luggage to the terminal. That was a bit of a pain and frustrating, but we managed it. Philip pulled up just as we came out the door. He had water bottles for us which was so nice. We drove to the Smiths and unloaded, chatted a bit, had a lovely Mexican meal – taco salad for me with lots of veg! We talked some more, but I was fading and still feeling a bit sick. I managed to stay mostly present, though I dozed off a few times, until 830 pm. I got ready for bed and was out almost instantly – I woke up at 4 am and used the bathroom, back to sleep.
After working on Monday, the Blacketts and the Smiths drove to Bend and had dinner with Mom and Dad. We were fading fast though, so we headed home and Checkers was so glad to see us. That meant that we didn’t sleep particularly well because he has so much to tell us all night long!
The next day was the 4th of July.
Slept in as much as we could. Spent the morning doing laundry, unpacking, letting the boys play video games.
Went to Mom and Dad’s in the early afternoon. Mostly just hung out, talked, shared stories. Had BBQ country style ribs for dinner. Around 9 pm, we headed out to the driveway, JJ, Lisa, Amara, Elaine and Dennis joined us to watch the fireworks. It was good to be home, but missing our adventure and especially our friends.
Back into the routines of real life. Figuring out meals, grocery shopping, work. It’s strange to have had this incredible experience, to feel changed, to be full of stories, and not be able to really express it to people who didn’t experience it. People want to know about the trip, but who has time to listen to 3 weeks worth of life and experience. The stories will come out with time. I will continue to process it all. My heart is so full, I am so very thankful.
Lamppostings 