3rd Rock from the Sun

2016 September I was in 2 countries. The U.S. and Costa Rica.
October I was in Costa Rica and the U.S.
November I was in the U.S. and Costa Rica.
December through February I was in Costa Rica.
March I was in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
April I was in 7 countries. Costa Rica, U.S. Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Poland.
May I was in Poland, Hungary, and Macedonia.
So far in June I started out in Macedonia, then England, now the U.S.

Last Monday we made a new friend, my hairdresser was super cool. He was frustrated that we all met the day before we were leaving. We got 3 hours of sleep, and then headed to the airport. We arrived in London at one airport and then took a train ride for a few hours to our hotel by the airport in West Sussex.
 London was amazing for several reasons. One is that I could read all the signs around me. It was like a flood of information that I wasn't used to, since we had been in countries with foreign languages for over 2 months. It was wonderful. It was like getting my IQ back. I had such a lack of understanding for so long! 12 countries in 9 months. Different currencies, times zones, and languages.
  London was good to us, the weather was sunny and hot. We took so many pictures, and saw so many things. The first day we arrived we were too tired to do anything except figure out how to get some food and go to bed early. The second day was our only full day in London. We took the train and the tube and a duck tour and walked all over. We came back to the room sunburned and tired from a full day. And making plans to come back! I loved all the bridges. I loved all the history. I loved riding in a tall car/boat. Through London I was so high off the ground. On the river, I was close enough to touch the water. An amphibious tour of the city in a big yellow looking strange vehicle with 20 other people. Ron is so fantastic, he always let me sit in the window seat.
  The next morning we had to get back to the airport to fly into Vancouver, B.C. The weather had changed it's mind, and it was raining and hailing.
  We arrived in Vancouver B.C. at the coolest airport. When we were on our way to get baggage the first thing we saw was an aquarium full of jellyfish. How cool is that? I love jellyfish, they are so unique. Then we walked past a one story tall waterfall, and an indoor stream. And a 2 story totem pole. I didn't get to see my brother or my cousin, but a friend from high school picked us up at the airport. High school. 1988. 29 years ago! Almost 3 decades, and the majority of them I wasn't even in Canada. It was so good to visit with her and her daughter.
  Then another friend picked us up to take us to the airport. At 4:45am! That's devotion. I met her right after high school. It was a cool layover. I wish I didn't have to sleep.
  Then it was arriving in Los Angeles and waiting for a ride to family. Lindsey and Dave picked us up at the airport, and we talked the whole way back to Apple Valley. Later that night other precious family arrived from Cedar City. It was wonderful! It was also frustrating. How crazy is it to buy tickets late Friday night, and jump on a plane early Tuesday morning. Even though it took us until Friday to show up, it still wasn't enough time for people to schedule a trip to see us in California. So I just enjoyed the family I could. And it was so sweet. So jet lagged. Time flew by, and then we were back at the airport!
  We left at 11pm from L.A. to Miami. Then Miami to Liberia. An hour difference from L.A. but a whole lot of jet lag going on again. Whoosh. The best part was surprising my mother. Oh yeah, we did it. I wasn't at all sure I could pull it off, but I did. It was worth the look on her face. She was so happy! It was so much fun.
  Arriving back in my newly familiar Samara was amazing. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of the humid air on my bare skin. It wasn't hot, either. It was wonderfully warm. It is magnificent to be back. I'm happy to be woken up by howler monkeys even at 5:30am. Best alarm clock ever.