On my way home

YAY, Saturday morning was my lucky day: tested negative. Finally. I was prepared for staying in my hotel forever, but suddenly doors opened up. I quickly passed the good news to my friend in San Diego, booked a hotel in Little Italy and bought a ticket for the Amtrak train. Usually I prefer a rental car but it's hard to find a parking spot downtown and the train station was only a 10 min walk to my hotel. Wow, I enjoyed the 3 hour ride, all along the coast. Beautiful! I could almost touch the ocean.

San Diego                                                                                                                                                                                                                  During my language courses in 2018 and 2019 I got to know Sonya, who worked at the school. She took me to musea and other interesting places, we had fun at escape rooms or we had lunch together. She's a lovely person, I like to hang out with her. We are of the same age and it turned out she's a christian as well. Our conversations went deeper and during the pandemic we kept contact. We met at 4 pm at Solunto, our favorite Italian spot, where we were catching up until 11.15 pm:). So thankful! The next morning I just wandered through the streets that are so familiar to me, getting back to the many sweet memories until it was time to leave. Lotte and Ryan picked me up at LA downtown, I checked in in my good old same hotelroom;)), went to the testing center to get my documents ready.. no worries, still negative;)). This last evening I got the opportunity, (right in time!) to meet with Ryans father and his wife over dinner as a belated birthday party for Lotte. So happy I was able to do all these things in only 2 days. !

My flights                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Initially I would fly home yesterday (Sunday), but the airline changed the schedule, which was actually a perfect move;) I really needed that extra day! On the other hand, the alternative flights are miserable. In stead of one connection, I got two. First to Montreal, then to Frankfurt, then Amsterdam. Yay, 3 flights for the same price. And instead of departure at 12pm, I was leaving at 9am what made me wake up at 4.30am. But..because I flew this early, Lotte could drop me off -in her brand new car;) before work. Bye sweetie, thank you for your love, for taking care of me and for talking and laughing, for walking and driving, for our girls nights and everything!  

Though I was on the journey for 5 and a half weeks, I didn't see Peter for 8 weeks, because he went to the States on Dec 21 and I left a week before he came home. It was a result of postponed travels/courses due to covid. We both didn't like that and we promised that this was the last time of being separated this long. Looking forward to be reunited, as well with Sanne and Jesse! Missed you!

This was my last blog, thank you so much for reading, for the prayers and thoughtful messages! And despite of the covid challenge I feel highly favored looking back at these 5 amazing weeks  So much to take home, to cherish and to live out. !