Day 17 - The Long Road Home

We've had such an amazing vacation that we haven't spent much time thinking about home, but once it's time to head back, you really begin to get into the "going home" mindset. Now it wouldn't be a trip home without some sort of drama and intrigue, and for us, getting home always has some of both, in a good way, of course.

Flying is also a long haul when you live in the woods, because it involves several stages. We had to fly out of Istanbul to Munich, where we would connect with a flight back to Boston. From Boston, we had to catch the bus to Vermont, and from the bus depot, a long drive home. We also had to consider the very real possibility that our car was not going to be there. Remember, when we left, they told us (there are signs, also) that there is a two week limit, after which I assume they impound you. We were gone for 17 days. Plus, since the whole drama of leaving, we had to catch the bus in New London, which is about 30 extra miles away, so getting impounded down there was much more difficult because it's out in the middle of nowhere, no offense to the residents of New London.

The first thing to take care of, and the most important, was breakfast. The breakfast buffet at hotel (the Serkeci Konan) is amazing, with lots of local cheeses, killer olive oil (very important), regular breakfast fare, amazing selection of breads and pastries, fresh fruit, cold cuts, and hot dishes like eggs, sausage, and quiches. I love it, very Euro. Now I hate to make a pig of myself at buffets, it's so bourgeiose, and pegs you right away as an American tourist, but I can't help it. The food was calling my name. I engorged myself, and was ready for the trip.

The people at the hotel were so nice, and they all stopped what they were doing and came to the door to say goodbye. It was great, and I feel like we really made some connections with these guys. They even gave us a nice little Turkish tea set for a goodbye gift. We are determined to go back again, it really was one of the nicest hotels I've ever been in. The cab was fine, and we got to see all the things we wanted to visit but couldn't. If only we had more time and money. We checked in for our flight, and we were off. This time, we only had about an hour to kill. I had 20 lira in my pocket, so we weren't in dire straights. We got some ice cream and drinks, and then boarded the plane.

Now the flight over to Europe was a little brutal. Somehow the plane was old and uncomfortable, and the flight tarnished my opinion of Lufthansa a bit. This flight, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoyable. The planes were nice (we had a connection in Munich), the food was good, and the service was impeccable. Hats off to Lufthansa, they did an amazing job. The flight from Munich to Boston was particularly nice because the plane was a new Airbus, they had TV screens at each seat (very important), and again, the food was good and the flight attendants super nice.

Once we landed, we quickly got our luggage and just squeaked onto the penultimate bus home. The last bus to NH is at 7:55, and we got the 6:55. The ride was fine, the kids slept and I tried and failed, and then praise be to Nero's Neptune, our car was still in the lot. Amazing. We had to come up with a backup plan, which entailed staying on the bus until Lebanon, then catching a cab home, and then going back to get the car at the impound yard. Fortunately, we didn't have to implement said backup plan, though the extra drive from New London was a drag.

We got home, hugged our cats, and then went to be immediately. I was so hungry, but we had no food in the house, and it was late. We hit the hay, glad to be back, but a little disappointed that it's so rainy. PV, our house sitter, said during the time we were away, there were only a few days of sun, the forecast calls for rain for the next week. Yikes. It seems like just yesterday that we were in the hot Mediterranean sun... probably because we were.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to RIC and Fred Fokkelman for the pic.