Final Conclusions

I realize that I ended my last entry on a very negative note, so, for that reason and because some friends have requested a final "goodbye" entry, I've decided to do one here.

Our flight home from Berlin to Minneapolis was pretty uneventful for the most part, but not particularly pleasant. We had to get up really early (about 5:30 am) to get going, and it turned out that both the Berlin-Paris and the Paris-Minneapolis flights were delayed...the second one by about an hour. I didn't enjoy the 8.5 hour Paris-Minneapolis flight, in particular. First of all, I got selected for a random security screening before they'd let me on the plane. Kerry didn't. Also, in my seat, I didn't really have room to type, but I did get some stuff done on my syllabus for Comp 2. Plus, the TV screens were hard to see, I managed to spill a soda on both me and Kerry, and I also cut my wrist on the seat pocket in front of me, of all things. And I didn't sleep much. I did manage to watch most of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which I have always intended to see, but, honestly, it sort of bored me. Maybe because I was so sleepy. There were some beautiful scenes in it, to be sure, but there are other animated films that I like much better.

When we got to Minneapolis, we were told at customs that my name came up as a security flag.  But, fortunately, they let us through. "You're going to go home today," said the agent. Praise Jesus. I had had enough of flying and other countries at this point. That is why, after Kerry left to game, I went to dinner at Applebee's with Maureen, it was SO NICE to have free refills on water and iced tea, with lemon in both, and ICE!!!  Plus the waitress was great--nice and smiley. What a concept!  I think in the future I'm going to start tipping more. The customer service in the USA is much better than what we'd get in either China or Europe.

After dinner, I fell asleep pretty early. But I'm still waxing philosophical on this whole journey. I think it's given me a deeper appreciation for other cultures. I think that, for the rest of my life, I'll be comparing and contrasting the United States to other countries, or comparing other countries to each other. So the Fulbright experience has indeed broadened my global perspectives. Plus I am also happy that it seems to have given Kerry some direction: he seems to want to be an ESOL teacher now. I also think I want to travel more in the future. Not now, because I'm a bit burned out on travelling. But I would go to Ireland, Prague, and Paris again, for sure....maybe not Berlin. And, of course, I would go to China again, especially since we know so many people there now. It'll be interesting to see if I do teach there again next year. I have been invited back to SISU next summer, but we'll see if that comes to fruition. Regardless, though, I will want to travel more in the future. I can't stay at home in Minnesota for the rest of my life. So I will always make time for travel. The new perspectives I've gained have been invaluable.

So, goodbye, blog readers. I hope you enjoy what I've written. And happy travels to you!