I’m baaaack!
After 10 fantastic days which included everything from London Dungeons to Highclere Castle, and after two flights which lasted more than 12 hours and shot me forward 8 hours in time yesterday, I am back in my own bed in sunny Southern California.
And I am happy.
Because as much as I love traveling, I love coming home.
It’s a funny thing – although not in a ha ha kind of way, unfortunately – that as amazing as a trip is, it seems to come to a complete, grinding halt the minute I get in that cab back to the airport and have to deal with rude drivers, checking baggage, long lines and new security guidelines. I am suddenly brought right back to reality, and that’s before I even board the plane.
At that point, I just want to click my heels three times and be home.
And now that I am, I’m appreciating everything that actually makes it home to me, with a Goodnight Moon-ish reverence.
Hello, Michael.
Hello, my own bed and pillows.
Hello, wifi that doesn’t require a code which doesn’t work anyway.
Hello, straightener I can now put back on “high” without fear of burning down the place.
Hello, shelves filled with books, fridge full of iced tea, clothes that are appropriate for the weather, car that drives on the right side of the road.
And hello, souvenirs of past trips.
I know those mementos will soon inspire my wanderlust again and make me start yearning for and planning another journey.
But, for right now, I’m genuinely content to put away my suitcase, go through stacks of mail and say hello, laundry.
It’s always nice to get home! I am with you on that one!
HA! I have memories of loving my piles of laundry as well, especially after visiting developing countries (and feeling grateful that I had laundry to do, and the process didn’t include wading in a river or pounding rocks). Happy to have you back. Can’t wait to hear the stories.
The love – hate travel relationship…. By the time you catch your breath and catch up on laundry you will be dreaming of the next destination! Welcome home!
Welcome Home!
The travel part of a trip used to be so romantic. Now its a nightmare.
I’m looking forward to reading about the best parts of your trip.
I too like to get home. It is a great feeling to travel and arrive home safe and sound. Then time to being planning for the next trip.
I am so happy you had such a great trip and LOVED seeing the photos that were posted by both of you! {Even though I was secretly jealous.} It’s true though “There’s NO Place Like Home”! Welcome back.
Ha Ha.. I am the same way after a long stay. I just want wait to be home in my comfort zone with my comfort things! Glad your trip was fun!
I know that feeling! I’m sure it was a wonderful trip and I look forward to hearing more about it soon! Rest up. Your adoring readers are dying to hear and I am one of them.
Welcome home, weary but grateful traveller. The U.S. (and I) are happier and a better place for having you back again. But we are so glad you had a magical journey.
I hope to hear more about it when you aren’t so weary, and have filled up on sufficient enough Starbucks iced teas and tons of hugs from my favorite poet.
That old saying…”there is no place like home” is such a true story!
So glad you are back. Can’t wait to hear about your awesome trip.
So true, Lois! Doing laundry aside, there really is no greater feeling that being back home, no matter how amazing the trip was. I miss my bed and pillows (esp. since I’m such a bad sleeper and have an even harder time when the surroundings are new to me); miss the wifi, yes; miss my tv and all my recorded shows; miss the simple smell of our house. Travel is great and right now there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to just be able to go visit the Philippines again. However, the thought of the 20+hr flight is already exhausting to me. How I wish I can really just click my heels and be there instantly. Either that or I’ll teleport a la Star Trek. Maybe if I say it three times, it’ll work?? ;-))
I don’t get to travel as much as I would like, but I too like coming home at the end of a trip. And can I just say I am a bit jealous you got to visit Highclere Castle? I am a huge Downton Abbey fan 🙂
It’s amazing how the same long travel indignities roll off our backs at the beginning of our trip compared to when we just want us and our dirty laundry to be home. BTW, I missed Season 4 of Downton Abbey because we were traveling around Southeast Asia. Does anyone have any ideas how/where I can watch the season 4 episodes before season 5 starts? They are no longer on line at the PBS website. (No spoilers! )
😉 I’m the same way when I get back from a trip, but the trips are always worth it!
Traveling is great, lots to do and see and a change is always nice but nothing like being in your own home and bed!
I just got back home from a long vacation to the beach and it makes you realize how lovely your bed is!! A bed without sand was really nice. 😉 Sounds like you had a great trip. Thats a trip I look forward to taking some day.
I agree. There is no place like home. I am glad you made it back safely.
I agree… traveling is fantastic…but so is coming home! Except for the loads of wash and stacks of mail.
Love going, love coming home and then love planning another adventure.
It’s definitely always nice to get home. I love traveling, but I also love sleeping in my own bed.
LOL! I feel ya! No matter how great a trip is, there is never anything as special as home. 🙂
Welcome home. What a wonderful trip but I totally understand that feeling of hello bed, hello everything. I usually come home so exhausted I need a vacation from vacation haha.
I would always say hello to my big bulky hair dryer, is to big to go with me on trip but omg it makes my hair looks so wonderful! Also there is Cajun place, 5 blocks away from home is sorta family owned but when ever we are away from home I miss it so bad!
It sounds like you had an amazing trip. But I know what you mean about being happy to be home – it is always nice to sleep in your own bed.
i feel the same way! i guess that’s why i’m not nomadic LOL
I agree. As wonderful as it is to explore and to get away, it is always nice to come back home again.
That castle looks amazing!
For me, coming home has always been the best part if the trip. But this time, I think I could have stayed a few more days.
Ha ha! We just got back from two week of travelling and I could not wait to just sleep in my own bed. Travel is fun, but there is something about home.
I adore traveling, but oh my gosh is it ever fabulous to be home! I totally relate!
I love to travel. I never get that I wish I was home feeling. My family does though
Welcome Home! I love your version of it!
No place like home! I have learned that anything past 10 days away from home is hard for me. Real hard. I do love exploring, eating new foods, seeing new cultures, but after 10 days I yearn for home in a big way. I am heading to UK for 3 days (castle hopping) then off to Paris for 8. That hits my limit away from my “things” and my furry babies. That’s enough for me!