RANDOMOSITIES

Who'd have thought they could stuff so many people on a tube? Claustrophobics beware.

Rode the rails on our way to Gatwick, making our total modes of transportation: car, plane, steam engine, subway, bus, and train.

Add to the tally of a broken washing machine and microwave, a stolen lawn mower. Somebody left the garage door open. Hopefully that's all that was taken.

One thing I noticed but neglected to mention is how long English meals take. There's no rush. Like even for paying the bill. People tend to linger at the table.

Gatwick airport is way nicer than Heathrow, but sorry, Keflavik airport in Iceland still gets the blue ribbon.

Not sure, but I think the old dude sitting next to me at the airport might have hacked up a hairball. Sorry for the visual.

Love the view from an airplane. Just think. That's what God sees all the time.

TIMELINE

9:00 Leave to board the tube then the train to get out to Gatwick Airport.

11:30 After lugging heavy baggage and Mark getting stuck in a pat-down, we finally grab a of coffee and some food before our flight.

1:00 Flight to Iceland then switch planes for Minneapolis.

6:00 Land

7:30 Leave the stupid airport because of stupid customs and stupid border control. Border control? Really? In Minneapolis? What about down by Mexico?

THOUGHTS

Am I ready to go home? As much as I miss my kids and my dog, umm, honestly? Nope. It will be back to responsibility. Having 20 days to do as I wish was really living a dream. But I am coming away with a gazillion new story ideas and lots of great memories. 

A smile and a "thank you for your patience" would go a long way to diffuse angry customers. We waited a half hour at the check-in line at Gatwick without the clerk even acknowledging the growing rage of a line. Then at our layover in Iceland, the plane boarding ran late. Flyers huddled around the gate with frowny faces. If they'd have just announced that they were running late, I think a lot of the rage would've been tamped down. It's the not knowing that flips people out.

And as if that line weren't bad enough, shall we talk about customs/re-entering the U.S.? Sheesh. That took over an hour. It would've been faster if we'd taken a Mexico flight and waded through the Rio Grande. Illegals have a way easier time getting in here than citizens. 

All in all, though, it was a fantastic journey that I wouldn't trade for anything. Thanks for coming along with me, my readers, and a huge thanks to God for making the whole thing possible.