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One final "journey" blog...

We began the long journey from the Athens hotel on Saturday morning, and though it was early, we were the last ones of our group out of the hotel. We took taxis (my second-ever taxi ride) to the airport, where we got through customs and security fairly easily, and after vainly searching for a Starbucks, sat down to wait for our plane to board.

It was a ten and a half hour flight, and all in the daytime, so it was difficult to sleep. I may have nodded off once for a few moments, but not for long. We watched that flight tracker map as the hours ticked by and were so glad when we could first see land under us...American land...New York land.

Then began the real ordeal. Getting through customs and security to get back into the country I am a citizen of took two hours for us, three for the other couple in our group. They have (new to me) kiosks that are supposed to "speed things up," but that did not seem to be the case. We remarked that it was easier to get into and out of Israel (a country with far greater security risks than we have) than it was to get into our own country. Why is that? Don't get me wrong, I am glad for those who take security seriously. I want to be protected as I fly. But two hours?

Rachel, because of her age, was "TSA-preapproved," which basically meant she could keep on her shoes going through security. One by-the-book TSA agent argued with her, and I found the whole thing rather humorous, as Rachel was wearing flip flops. Was it really going to make a difference whether she took her shoes off or not?

But we got through, got on our next plane and landed in Chicago about 30 minutes late. That flight, honestly, I don't remember much of because my body, still being on Middle Eastern time, shut down and I slept through the snack and everything!

And so we're home. We slept in our own beds last night and are glad to be back among our "comforts." I'm still reflecting on all that we learned over the last two and a half weeks. It was a great trip, with great people, and I also appreciate those of you who came along virtually with us.

Now...where to next?

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