As confusing as it can be living in two countries, two continents even, one thing is clear – one of the homes is where I grew up, where I was raised by adoring parents, where my children live, and where my grandchildren live. After near two years apart from this home, because of the Covid pandemic, I was finally going back.
This trip was going to be different in so many ways: The Airline I was using to return had changed, it wasn’t making international flights, the route would be different, it would require an overnight stay in Sydney, and, I would be traveling injured requiring wheelchair help. I had nothing to look forward to in this trip, except to arriving and seeing faces I loved and missed at the end of the two day travel marathon.
After saying good-bye to family, friends, new friends and a dear church family, the day finally came.
So I put on my newly purchased emu socks, never letting Australia be far away.
Another change, putting everything from two suitcases and a carry on to ONE suitcase and a carry on.
The plane shows what it is like to fly in the middle of a pandemic in 2021 Australia, it was nearly empty.
It was like I was looking at an airport for the first time, I never thought I’d be flying anywhere so everything about this trip became a study.
I can’t begin to explain how confusing it was at Sydney airport to secure transport to the hotel less than a mile away. I was told in Perth there was to be a shuttle bus every 30 minutes. The signs had been taken down, the hotel blamed the pandemic, and I was to call the shuttle bus myself to get taken there. A girl from China was there with me, looking as lost as I was. Fortunately she was not injured as I was and ran ahead for me looking for an indication where to meet the bus. Meanwhile, I spotted someone to ask, and was pointed in the right direction, which I shared with my new helpful companion.
This is not the airport, this is my hotel in Sydney. Holiday Inn Express was decorated so as to not let you forget you were a mile away from the airport.
I was disappointed to not find a shower. It was one of the main reasons I listened to my family insist I not bunk in the airport overnight, but to get a room nearby. I had resigned to just wash up at the sink.
John refused to believe there was no shower, and had me pan my phone around the room so he could see. When he saw the this, told me to check again. What I thought was just a thick wall, was a shower!
Having a bed, even for a few hours was also a blessing. So thankful for my family insisting I take the room.
So a change of clothes and socks, now switched to kangaroos. I was ready for the shuttle to Sydney airport.
Last look around to make sure I hadn’t forgot anything. Thank you John and family for looking out for me, even when not right with me.
My view from the hotel. What a shame not to try some pies before going. 🙂
When I arrived, the airport was near empty. Sydney in the midst of a bad part of the pandemic was nearly empty everywhere I could see. As much as I don’t like traveling in crowds, this was eerie.
So I flew in almost two years before with Qantas, but I was leaving on United, nearly the only airline option for me to make an international flight back home.
With all the room on the flight, I was allowed to move to a window seat.
Looking down as we get higher, I knew I wouldn’t likely see Australia for too long. I have two homes. This is my island home…bye for now, Australia, it’s always sad, heartbreaking even, to leave you.
Such beauty in the skies
Way to go United, even Qantas didn’t serve Tim Tams!
After a meal and a nap, I see I am over half way to L.A. my first stop in the USA
All the airports were the epitome of customer service this trip. Being injured this was so important and blessed to be cared for so nicely at Sydney and at LA. Neither have been my favorite airports in the past, but rose to the occasion this time around. How the Lord looked after me during this time of leaving my true love for an unknown amount of time, and now facing a time of separation and landing in a place so different than Perth. Perth had no cases of Covid when I left and I was going to hotspots in the U.S. It was a scary prospect after living in the bubble I had just left.
Soon enough, after being picked up by my son Miquel and daughter Laura at Dulles, I woke up to looking out a very familiar site, outside my own bedroom window. I hurried to tell Amazon to order bird seed and suet for my birds. There were none around at all. They had forgotten all about this location it seemed. I would entice them back soon enough.
