We got to the Athens airport and got in the appropriate check in line. The clerk asked for our names. She couldn’t find us. She searched a few more ways. Still couldn’t find us. She asked for our proof we had booked a flight. Even with our flight confirmation in hand, she still couldn’t find us. She went to her supervisor for help. We were nervous. The supervisor couldn’t find us. We were fighting panic. After several more minutes, the supervisor had us booked onto the flight, which was a relief. Our concern was that they were sold out and wouldn’t have any seats for us. Seeing there was availability made us hopeful that maybe there wouldn’t be someone in the seat next to us, but no such luck.

Our flight home was completely uneventful. This time our layover was in New York City. Just as we had to in England and in Germany on our previous flights, we had to go through security again when we switched planes. Normally, security checkpoints are in open, well ventilated areas. Not this one at JFK airport. It was a very small room, with a standard size single door at either end, and no windows. The room was totally crammed with as many people as they could get in there. Everyone in line had been sitting on our plane for the last 11 hours. And we all had to take our shoes off. Let’s just say that it wasn’t the nicest smelling room we’ve ever been in. We feel so sorry for the people who have to work in that room.

We have been back one week now. Adjusting to life in the USA was much easier this time than last time. It is probably mostly due to the fact that we had been back so recently, and also partly due to the fact that this trip was not nearly as emotional as the last one. Last time, Christi walked into an especially large supermarket and was so overwhelmed by the size that she was completely paralyzed. She stood there for a full minute, so overwhelmed by the number of aisles that she didn’t know where to begin. As she wandered around, she looked at the thousands of products on the shelves, thinking “who eats all this food?” In many of the countries we have been in, a successful trip to the grocery store meant finding at least half the items on our shopping list. Often, there were zero items on our shopping list available, and we simply had to improvise. At this supermarket, not only was every single item on the list available, she had to choose between at least 50 brands of the same type of foods. On this second trip back to the US, the giant grocery stores didn’t phase her at all.

Eric has been working full time. He was kind of worried about being able to get back into the groove of work, but he did so pretty easily. It is fun for him to be back with his co-workers and talking techie again. He’s missed the techie talk. While he doesn’t mind being back at work full time, he would still happily pick life on the boat any day over working in an office.

Christi has been taking care of life chores, trying to wrap up all the loose ends that she wasn’t able to complete on the last trip.

We spent the weekend with Eric’s parents, which was nice. We are amazed at how good his mom looks and how much she has improved since we last saw her. Her recovery is nothing short of miraculous. She is suffering from some chemo side effects, which are very mild compared to the old days of chemo, but are still miserable none-the less. We have also spent some quality time with Christi’s family.