Last night as I began packing my luggage, I was struck with the thought that, thirteen days ago I had a bag full of clean clothes and an adventure to a new land ahead of me. Now, the only clean clothes I have is what’s on my back. And Italy is now a land that I have visited. The newness is gone though much of the mystery remains.
Finishing our packing, we call for our host to carry use to the airport. Once more we will pass the watermelon stand (I forgot to mention that) making our way through the roundabouts and back to Terminal 3. Sharon and I have a final breakfast and then part ways since we are on different flights with different airlines. Oddly enough, we are scheduled to arrive in Knoxville about five minutes apart.
Contrary to SOP, I have decided on a window seat on the return flight with hopes of getting some sleep. (Its easier if I can prop my head against the bulkhead.) Good theory, poor execution. However, I did get some pictures as we flew over the Alps and Greenland. Nice, but I think I really prefer the aisle for future reference.
One final event occurred on the flight from Detroit to Knoxville. A young lady took the window seat next to me and I inquired if she was from Knoxville. "Actually", she said, "I am from Jackson. Do you know where that is?" I started to give her the reply I usually get which is "Mississippi?" but decided to fess up that I was born and raised in Jackson, TN. She's from south Madison County, which is a very close knit community. She actually knows the Nanneys, Nancy and John, and her father is a friend of an old camping buddy, Wilbur Bailey. So my return went all the way from Rome, Italy to Knoxville via Jackson, TN. Not really that far in the scheme of the universe.
The Alps from about 30,000 feet
Ice bergs in the North Sea
Ice bergs off the coast of Greenland
Apparently Greenland hasn’t got the Global Warming message yet
