The flight home was long but I survived. There were only two people in business class on the first leg (Phuket to Dubai) so I got a killer deal to upgrade. That was nice because I still had a 6hr layover and another 16hr flight ahead of me--economy with no reasonable upgrade option--and I really needed some radical self-care to prepare for that.
If you've never been to the Dubai International Airport, it is lovely. It's clean, beautiful and very well-organized despite being huge enough to require multiple subway systems to get around, which BTW are equally clean and well-organized. Because of all my flying this year (4 times to Asia since Oct), I enjoy my layover time in the business class lounge (even if flying coach), where you can shower in your very own bathroom.
I love my bathroom. I usually spend at least 2hrs in there indulging in a hot shower, washing my clean hair (because I can), then leisurely reapplying make up, doing hair, and even blowdrying my sweaty clothes and bra, which I know is not optimal. But, hey, you do what you gotta do when you realize you forgot a change of clothes in your carry-on, although the prospect of staying clean with 22hrs ahead of you is pretty dim, so best to just shoot for dry.
Once all amenities offered in the private bathroom have been exhausted, it's lounge time, and they have a sweet set-up, and everything is free--food, beverages, full-bar--but my preference that time of morning is a simple continental breakfast with a latte or two. There's plenty of seating in living room areas or family cubicles partitioned with glass so you still feel the openness of the quiet space but have your very own peaceful spot in which to put up your feet, charge your phone and get your mind right for the next leg. The lounge even provides private access to all the gates by elevator so you don't even have to suffer the cattle call regardless of ticket class.
Oh, the lounge (or even better, my dreamy bathroom) is on which I tried to meditate as I did my best to exist in a golden bubble of calm through the last trip from Dubai to LA as two toddlers screamed from mind-numbing boredom and exhaustion for nearly the entire trip, and I don't blame them one bit. Even grown adults could lose their mind in coach from the Middle East to California. All I can say is Thank God for oils, my BioBelt, and TV's built into the back of each headrest. I would've shared my Peace & Calming with those two little girls, but each time I escaped my window seat, they had finally cried themselves to sleep, and after the last two weeks, I know the feeling.
But, in the end, it was all worth it. When my husband pulled up to the curb I cried the happiest of tears. I just needed to see him and talk to him about, well, everything. We were in constant communication while I was in Thailand but the time difference alone can leave you feeling so far away from each other. I mean, when you're that distant, you don't even share the same date or sky. When you're just waking up, they're headed for bed, still living in yesterday, and that can evoke such a lonely feeling.
Oh, how I missed seeing and talking to my hub's handsome, rugged face. When I am with him, I feel safe, and he is always so cool and reasonable and protective. I squeezed his impressively-calloused hand all the way to the freeway as we made our way to our kid (Jon picked me up from work up near the airport thankfully saving our soon to be high-schooler the trip). And oh man, did I hug that teenager so hard when we pulled into the driveway. He could hear his Dad's diesel truck down the street and was waiting outside for us when we pulled up, and there by his side was our faithful pooch, Chuy, who couldn't wag his tail fast enough or get enough pets before we all headed inside.
As I walked into the gate, I had to stop. Was this our home? The succulents had been dug out of the fountain, which was clean, and once more functioning as a fountain, and the beehive in the back was gone, so we can set-up our outdoor dining area I've been dreaming about. Even the yard and party shack were tidy and the house! The house was sparkling and they'd replaced all the ceiling lights in the kitchen, which was scrubbed and mopped too. Good job, guys. Really good job.
Once the hugs and thank you's and good to see you's were all over, it was straight to the shower. Thirty-five hours door-to-door can be rough on muscles and emotions but basic cleanliness too. And while our shower at home may not be business class lounge worthy, that was the best dang shower I've had since the last time I flew home. What a wonderful feeling to be in your very own bathroom at home. Is it just me or do you know what I mean? Next step, comfy pj's and then snug on the sofa surrounded by my boys. Now, THAT, is first class.
Good to be home, America, and just in time for your birthday, and what a mellow day that was. None of us even wanted to walk the single block to watch the fireworks show last night. We opted for a movie and comforting our scared dog instead. Chuy hates fireworks but he always feels better when we oil him up and hold him tight. What a perfect holiday. And did I mention my boys cleaned the house inside and out? Wow. Maybe I should go away more often. On second thought, maybe not. 💜
