Back to reality…Arizona here we come!

We were picked up from our Budapest hotel from the same guy who transported us from the train. Its so nice to see a familiar face and have a friendly good bye to our incredible Eastern European adventure. We have the indifferent feelings of going home after such an awesome experience. The drive to the airport offers a different view to this part of Budapest as we get to see more of the way normal people live here. It’s a bit run down and now the cost of living and salaries makes more sense. The driver shares that minimum wage in Budapest is $350 per month, the average wage for a person whom lives here is $700-$750 per month. We continue to learn more even on the journey home.

We get to the airport which is not large and do some last minute shopping. I am not a big shopper and realize I only purchased one magnet on this trip, something I collect when traveling. I purchase a Budapest magnet for my fridge, and we make our way to the gate. We board our first plane which is to Dublin. I’m sitting next to the cutest 2 yr old girl toddler and her beautiful blonde mommy. Mom is from Budapest, they currently live in London and she and her husband are considering moving to Ireland to provide the child with a better education and life experience. They will meet her husband to tour schools etc. the 2 yr old talks like an adult, such proper vocabulary while they read peppa the pig books, plane books, etc. Super sweet and behaved so well for this 3 hr flight. My mom is next to me on the other aisle and she has a less than 1 yr old baby who slept most the way. We lucked out and de plane in Dublin for a 3 hour layover.

After going through the security, being bused to terminals we learn our seats on the next long flight are not near each other. My mom has truly learned how to roll with the punches on this trip. She a bit upset but A-ok. We find a yummy selection of heavy Irish food, and the good ol American Burger King. Park ourselves at an Irish airport pub and I order an Irish coffee. Yummy!

We get to clear through US customs in Ireland as we board the plane to JFK using our handy dandy global entry, finger prints and no line. We are cleared and ready to board the big huge plane. My seat mate is a younger girl whom is married yet she was away solo in Spain at a yoga teacher training program for a month. She lives in the Catskills mountains of NY in a town called Roxbury. She was super kind, friendly, and chatty. We both swallowed our pharmaceuticals for the long flight over the pond 🙂 I watched the movie Father Figures, which was a silly dumb film and finished my other book which I loved so much and went to sleep.

We arrived into NY, and had no luggage. Always something to add excitement. Lol , Aer Lingus had checked it all the way through to PHX despite the fact we are having a longer lay over and sleeping in NY. We decide to leave it alone as to not cause a possible loss of luggage and wing it. Again kudos to my mom being relaxed about many mishaps while living Dora style. We get to our airport Courtyard Marriott by shuttle bus and get to enjoy the presence and a visit from Jonathan. He came by to say hi and hang with us for a couple hours, next Julie arrives to drop off our precious cargo, Hillary and hang out. We all visit in the lobby, take silly photos, eat and enjoy being with family.

I get the pleasure of snuggling with my sweetest Hillary in our hotel bed and we get a good night sleep. Breakfast at the airport and we are now on the plane flying home to Phoenix.

I always reflect on these flights home. I’m grateful to have experienced this wonderful journey especially with my amazing mother. I thank my lucky stars that I live a charmed life and have this freedom. I loved learning more about my history and family roots. Thank you to our cousin Bernice who replied sharing more knowledge about our ancestors and the connections we have to Poland and this part of the world and WW2 stories. I had no idea and would not know unless informed. It’s so important to keep the stories alive and continue sharing with future generations. I plan on educating all my nieces so they are aware and continue to learn about where we all come from. It’s so easy to go right back to the monotonous life we all live. I hope to incorporate more of this history into my future by being an active part in the memory of this time that we just soaked up. My last big international trip was also in Europe, I think I’m Europed out for a while. Thinking my next big trip will be to Sri Lanka 2019. Sari I’m ready to say yes 🙂

Perhaps I’ll be able to squeeze in some kind of beach relaxation prior and then the upcoming NYC trip end of summer. Not too bad, always need some travel adventures to look forward too. 🙂

If you have previously received my emails when I travel I’m curious if you liked the blog better? Debating what to do with this space now and will ponder it once home. I really do love to write when I have something to write about. The words simply just slip off my finger tips so easily and with genuine enjoyment. I’m open to feedback and suggestions. 🙂

I will now review all the places we experienced on Trip Advisor, another favorite hobby.

Until my next journey…..thanks for reading and virtually being with me XO
Love Laurie Sue 🙂