Last Day in America and Return Trip to Ukraine

What an Experience!

My trip was extended by an additional two weeks. I spent this time helping family. My last day in America was going to be spent sorting and distributing weight between my checked luggage, the carry-on and my computer case. I try to bring back essentials for the office such as Reese’s Pieces! The airlines permit fifty pounds for overseas, I traveled to America with twenty pounds and returned with a considerable amount more. There are a few food and office items that I cannot purchase in Ukraine and I bring back as much as possible.

My last day in America . . . I was scheduled to walk my grandson to the bus at 7:00 AM. During the packing process, I took the house key from my coat pocket and set it on the counter so I would not accidently take it with me. I forgot my warning not to go out of the house without it! Wanting to return with clean laundry, I was still in my pajamas when I walked Micah to his bus. Fortunately I put on my winter coat, scarf and gloves. As we left the house, the door closed, OH NO . . . we were locked out of the house. I did not have makeup on and had not combed my hair. What a mess.

Now what? One of the bus drivers allowed me to use her mobile phone. I called my daughter in order to make arrangements to get back in the house. Fortunately my father was in town and he came to get me. The next forty-five minutes were soooooo . . . cold. I did not have socks on and my legs were bare. When dad showed up, I was so relieved; it took me all day to warm up.

Later that day, we had to pick up my mother from the airport who had spent two weeks in Florida with family. What a day! I planned an orderly and quiet day. These crazy things happen and we can either laugh or cry, it is our choice.

I arrived home on Friday after traveling for twenty six hours. What an experience! At the Minneapolis airport the agents unpacked my carry-on because something showed up as potentially dangerous. I had purchased Celtic Sea Salt on the advice of a doctor. I never realized that it would cause so much trouble. This slowed me up enough that I did not have time to call anyone from the airport.

I flew from Minneapolis to Chicago and then flew to Frankfurt, Germany then onto my final destination; Kiev. In Frankfurt I had to go through two scans, the first one was not a problem. The second one was absolutely humiliating. The wand went off because of a button, hooks, and the buckle on my boots! I tell you, this was the craziest trip of all. However, I was blessed with empty seats next to me the last two planes. The extra seat was wonderful from Chicago to Frankfurt, I was able to stretch out a bit.

Arriving in Kiev, everything was beautifully white and clean. Annessa and Victor, friends from church met me and brought lunch and hot tea, it was a wonderful greeting. They told me it had been snowing for three days in Cherkasy, I was excited to see the snow. The trip from Kiev to Cherkasy is normally about two and a half hours but this trip lasted four hour and a half hours. The roads had not been plowed and were in poor condition with lots of ice and snow on the road.

Arriving in Cherkasy, I was in a state of shock! The snow banks are at least 9 feet high. The buses were not running and the roads are horrible. Victor tried to drive me home, but could not. He had to let me out a block from home and I carried a forty-nine pound suitcase and my twenty pound computer bag through eighteen inches of snow and Annessa carried my carry-on for me. Then we carried the suitcase up three flights of steps. I was exhausted and could hardly find my breath. I had not eaten all day, so I sat down with a cup of coffee and a yogurt. I was glad that my traveling was over for this trip.

Now, the fun begins . . . back to work on Monday. This weekend will be spent organizing everything I brought back with me and I need to shop for groceries. Then when I figure out my problem with the internet, I will notify family and friends that I have arrived!

God bless each of you.
Your humble servant,
Kathy