Tuesday 12 June 2012
So he used his
superior packing skills to tear apart and reassemble, and just when he thought
he could get a couple hours sleep he realized the cell phones we'd be losing
were full of precious memories (messages) and phone numbers so spent two hours
transferring them. That's OK. His usual philosophy of "You can sleep when
you're dead" became "You can sleep on the plane" (and he did!).
We got off around 8
-- no problem, the drive to Dusseldorf Int'l was only a little more than an
hour. Last journey in the White Rabbit! Last mission for Excalibur -- to arrive
in one piece and be turned back to its rightful owner for the buyback. Charles
felt a little pressure but relaxed into his I-can-do-this mode.
We held our breath
but sailed through all the Air Berlin checkpoints with no questions and settled
into our seats with high fives – we did it! No sad thoughts at this moment,
just relief and anticipation of getting home and seeing family and friends and
god ol’ southern California.
It arrived. Finally.
That mythic day -- that seemed so far away, then despite being ignored crept
closer and closer -- has dawned. Dian got up around dawn, Nicole a little
later, because we wanted to leave for Dusseldorf by 7:30 or so, and had to say
our goodbyes to early-to-work policeman Henri.
Charles did not
sleep. He worried and fussed over our ancient, bulging, some patched together
with tape, some too light some too heavy suitcases, concerned that the checked
bags would be over limit and we’d be charged an extra 50 euros/$63 each (times
six!), and that the carry-ons were so ridiculously pushing the regulations that
they'd be disallowed as we tried to board. Even laughed at. And then what?
So he used his
superior packing skills to tear apart and reassemble, and just when he thought
he could get a couple hours sleep he realized the cell phones we'd be losing
were full of precious memories (messages) and phone numbers so spent two hours
transferring them. That's OK. His usual philosophy of "You can sleep when
you're dead" became "You can sleep on the plane" (and he did!).
The goodbyes to Henri
and then Roos were brief and full of good feeling, any sadness offset by
knowing that they would be coming to the Andrews family Thanksgiving gathering
in Tempe, AZ in November, and then a drive out to the coast after.
We found our terminal
then drove out about five minutes to wait for a phone call from Lisa,
Sebastian’s girlfriend, saying she had arrived by train. She was right on
schedule (gotta love those Germans) and we drove up to see her smiling face in
front of the Air Berlin sign. It took a while to unload our unwieldy cargo onto
a couple of carts, for which we had to beg coins for bills, then more strangers
to ask to get the right amount for the final settlement for Sebastian.
At LAX security would
be threatening you away from the curb after 15 seconds, but this is Europe
where security seems fine but more sensible; they didn’t ask us to remove
shoes, belts, tattoos, but Dian and Charles both got pulled aside and “wanded”
when their shoes caused a beep (Charles’ cowboy boots always do, steel shank
construction, for Dian it was a first).
It was a nostalgic
moment when we took some photos and said our goodbyes to Lisa and watched her
drive off with our faithful white buddy, our home and transportation for the last
seven months of this remarkable journey.
 |
| Monica putting the last finishing touches on the meal |
The plane food was
not bad and the final one had a German potato salad that was excellent. A
little Rhine wine and Wersteiner beer let us know we were still in German air
space as we drifted off – dreaming of the next journey?
When we landed we had to have a photo in front of Barack Obama's portrait which security hurriedly shoed us away from. No matter. With all clearances passed we saw Myles at the end of the long ramp, waving and giving us a welcoming smile. After chatting with him we took a shuttle to Dian's parent's house in Rancho Palos Verdes. The trip through some of Southern California's most beautiful beach towns, (Hermosa, Redondo, Manhattan) reminded us that all the places we visited were on a par but could not surpass our homeland's beauty.
On the driveway Dian's sister, Monica and her parents were doing a dance and singing a song they had made up to welcome the weary travelers. Festive balloons and signs adorned the entryway and after a quick perusal we all agreed we were none the worse for wear - on both sides!
Folks might find it interesting to note the sums we tallied for our trip. (Remember these are rough estimates). Here they are:
Food: $8,000.00
Airfare: $3,000.00
Camps: $2,500.00
Diesel: $6,500.00
Ferries and Tolls: $1,200.00
Museums and Attractions: $1,200.00
Gifts and Souvenirs: $300.00
Postage and Letters: $3,000.00
Tech Equipment: $500.00
Van (maintenance, tows, insurance, roadside assistance, registration, and purchase with buyback option ): $9,000.00
TOTAL: $35,200.00
At Home Costs: $19,000.00
TOTAL: $54,200.00
Having tenants helped with a large part of the cost.
Would we do it again? Yes!
 |
| Dian with her parents, Joe and Marie |
On the driveway Dian's sister, Monica and her parents were doing a dance and singing a song they had made up to welcome the weary travelers. Festive balloons and signs adorned the entryway and after a quick perusal we all agreed we were none the worse for wear - on both sides!
 |
| Monica's homemade Texas pecan pie |
Food: $8,000.00
Airfare: $3,000.00
Camps: $2,500.00
Diesel: $6,500.00
Ferries and Tolls: $1,200.00
Museums and Attractions: $1,200.00
Gifts and Souvenirs: $300.00
Postage and Letters: $3,000.00
Tech Equipment: $500.00
Van (maintenance, tows, insurance, roadside assistance, registration, and purchase with buyback option ): $9,000.00
TOTAL: $35,200.00
At Home Costs: $19,000.00
TOTAL: $54,200.00
Having tenants helped with a large part of the cost.
Would we do it again? Yes!
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