Monday, August 18, 2008

Putting sand in the rear view mirror

Just hours away now! Today we've been packing up, cleaning the dorm rooms, and getting ready for the move back to the States. Everyone has a look of cautious optimism and excitement about leaving this place.

At about 4:30 pm a couple of big trucks pulled up outside our doors, and we loaded them up with the big bags and footlockers that will be our "checked" baggage. We're only allowed one bag on the plane, so most people carry a backpack with a change of clothes. You get used to getting stranded overnight in the military, so we tend to pack a little more pessimistically than most travelers.

Ran around the base doing the last minute outprocessing... tried to pick up my laundry, but am still a day short (see the earlier entry on Laundry), so I guess I'm leaving those things behind. I told you this was a science! Guess I failed!

Picked up medical records, turned my dorm room key. Ate some dinner. All that's left now is to take a shower and head over to the passenger terminal for check-in. Our plane leaves at 11 pm Pittsburgh time. We fly about 5 hours to Shannon, Ireland, get fuel, and then another 8 hours or so to Omaha, Nebraska. There, two planes from our home unit will be waiting to meet us. We'll go through customs, then transload all our bags onto those planes and fly 3-1/2 hours back home, getting in (hopefully around 8:30 - 9:00 pm Tuesday.

Can't wait to sleep in a real bed again and take a 10 minute shower!!! See ya soon!!!

1 comment:

Kj said...

We're so glad you're home!!!