Mis Schwiiz!!!!

A tear shed, a hug given, the bags marked and on their way, and so are we. This happened after our first panic when, while unloading our luggage, we discovered to my dad's dismay and my amusement, that we had packed Heather's allotment of luggage. Eight, nine, ten, we count again and sure enough there are ten bags sitting their on the ground in front of the airport. We are only allowed eight pieces (two per person). Dad nervously picks two unlucky victims (suitcases) to be sent back with grandma to go into boxes and into the mail. Hopefully he chose the bags with things we can do without for a few weeks.

Now we are sitting in the Harrisburg airport, gate B2, on the fourth December. We wait .... and wait ... and wait a bit more ... a long time later we are still waiting. The good-looking ticket man announces into the speaker that our flight has been "delayed" due to "mechanical difficulties." The time for our connecting flight to Zürich was drawing closer, would we still make it? Tick tock tick tock, forty minutes till that flight! It seems to tight. Finally the ticket man called us forward, he talked with Dad and sorted out different possibilities. Dad returned with tickets for a new flight plan starting from gate B3.

Finally on the plane and on our way to Washington-Dulles! It was a very small plane and took only about half an hour till we landed safely in Washington. As we walked wearied out of the plane we saw, to our joy, that we didn't need to go through any customs! Relieved, we waited for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

The minutes turned  into hours as the large plane slowly inched across the atlantic. A movie was playing on my screen and my journal was in my hand. Food was on my table, and turbulence was shaking the plane. Six hours, Seven hours, "Please take your seats, we are now landing in Frankfurt" said the pleasant stewardess. How can she be so happy? I haven't gotten a wink of sleep on this flight and I do not feel very happy.

Exhaustedly I stumbled off the plane, what did I pack in my carry-on! things are a lot lighter when I feel it in my comfortable living room. To my chagrin I saw in front of me .... the dreaded customs! They were strict! I was passed through but mom was scanned with the hand held metal detector. We sat down to await the incoming flight that would finally take us home. I slept on mom's lap. I don't know why I can sleep in airport chairs but not in planes. I woke up enough to drag myself onto the airplane and as soon as I sat down I began to drift off. We went higher and higher. I opened my eyes to watch the scenery slowly drift by below. Maybe I would recognize something, look a forest, is that a town?, the back of my eyelids. I was asleep again till a sudden jerk made me sit bolt upright. I heard afterwards that was one of the bumpiest landings my parents had experienced.

Finally in Zürich! A language I recognize! An airport I recognize! Now the part we have been worried about, did our luggage make it as well? One, two, .... seven, eight, yep all eight pieces. As we exit the doors we are met cheerily by cowbells and Mr. Brent with Amy (our neighbors/dad's coworker). My sleepiness left me somewhat with the excited chatter of Amy and the excitement of being home sweet home.

I know this town, it is Oensingen, I turn down that road for my judo. Balsthal! It hasn't changed much! I see it up ahead! I recognize that landmark! There is the castle ruins on the hill, it must be around the next bend! And there it is! Mis clynes Holderbank! What a relief to be home! The car comes to a slow stop in front of a white house with brown shudders, I know it well. That is the small place I call home.