People-to-People MD06

They're Home !!

Aug 02, 2006

On Wednesday, August 2nd, the delegation began their long trek home. Warned they would be awakened at 3:30AM for the trip to the Rome airport, some of the delegates chose to just stay awake through their last night away.

Their flight from Rome to Frankfurt left 20 mins late at 7:15AM, and arrived in Frankfurt 17 mins late at 9:17AM. Tired eyes watched the hills of Italy recede in the distance, then closed for a brief respite of sleep, only too soon having to open for the stopover in the Frankfurt airport. With a four-hour layover, the delegates were allowed to get something to eat and do a little shopping before their scheduled departure. Finally, the big 747-400 from Frankfurt lifted off at 1:20PM local time (25 mins late), and headed northwest on the great circle route to Newark. The delegates settled in for the long flight, some going back to sleep, others talking, catching up on their journal, or just thinking of the trip behind them, and the comfy house and bed awaiting them at home.

As the plane made its way across the Atlantic toward the USA, eagerly anxious parents packed siblings and relatives in the car for the trip to the airport. They began gathering at the International Arrivals concourse at about 3PM, talking with each other about news of the trip, and anticipating the scheduled arrival at 3:15. Finally at 3:23PM EDT, touchdown!, and our world travelers were safely on the ground back in the USA.

After a long wait while the delegates passed through Immigration, collected their bags, and checked through Customs, the delegation emerged in their smart khaki's and burgundy polo's at 4:30. Parents straddled the walkway and applauded as the delegates walked into outstretched arms, and exchanged hugs and kisses with families they had not seen in almost three weeks! Circulating among family members, exchanging goodbyes (until the Welcome Home party!), and taking care of last-minute logistics, the delegates completed their post-arrival duties, then headed off with families for the last leg of the long ride home.

After some dinner, stories, pictures, and presentation of carefully-selected souvenirs and gifts, the delegates were finally able to settle down gratefully in their own beds for the slow delicious return to routine....wiser, more aware, with new friendships, and lots of precious memories to turn over and over in their minds, increasingly aware that they have been forever changed. Thanks, People-to-People! Thanks, Barbara and Maria! Boy, it's good to be home!