Traveling is great, but there's no place like home

 

Our morning started at 4:15 to take a taxi to the airport. Fallon didn't even have enough money for a cup of coffee, but we had already bought our banh my sandwiches for the morning the night before, so our needs were mostly met. Everything in the Hanoi airport went smoothly for my flight to Tokyo and Fallon's flight to Bangkok did as well.

Finally back together again (only missing one) with lots of veggies from the garden for dinner

VietNam Airlines at the Hanoi Airport

Saying goodbye to Fallon at the airport

Once in Tokyo, I had several hours to kill until my flight to Chicago. I give the Tokyo Airport 5 stars. The food was reasonably priced and delicious, they recycle and compost, it was quiet, peaceful, and clean, and the toilets were amazing! The toilets had lots of high tech buttons: one makes noise as you go to the bathroom, one washes you with a single stream of water, one uses a spray method for cleaning with water, and one is a dryer. Of course, I tried all of the buttons.

So many exciting buttons for the Tokyo Airport toilets and I tried every one.

Lots of food options in the Tokyo Airport: here are Ramen and Udon

Udon noodles and tempura (less than $8) in the airport - now that's what I'm talking about!

James picked me us at 10:30pm just outside of Boston (he's the only one in our family who is a night owl)

After almost 30 hours of traveling, I was able to get the best ride of my trip with James back to Meriden. What a wonderful feeling to walk into my home! Everyone else was asleep, but the dogs sure were excited to see me. Even though I got home close to 1:00am, a sunrise hike up the Ledges was calling me, so Luca and I zipped up in the most perfect 55 degree weather.

Sunrise hike with the pup

The garden has grown so much!

Somebody felt left out of the hug

Sunrise with Maya

I am beyond grateful that the Universe has permitted me the family, resources, lifestyle, and health to allow me to travel. This is a gift that I do not take for granted. Traveling in VietNam and the Pacific Northwest was memorable, exciting, educational, and breath-taking. Yet, it is partly because of travel, that I know there is no place that I would rather live than where and with whom I do. Who knows where or if there will be another trip, so stay tuned. In the meantime, as time marches on, I will be content living in the best place on earth.