Home Sweet Home!

 

Back home in the Bay Area

 

My Welcoming Committee

How ironic that I was up at 2am this morning...the same time that I wrote my first blog entry in Mallorca! Once again I slept like a log when I got home and now jet lag is kicking in again! I learned a few lessons on my trip home.

1) When flying to the US from outside the country, do not buy liquid in duty free unless you have a non-stop to your final destination!

On Saturday night the guys and gals went out to dinner and for dessert the restaurant owner let us sample some very tasty lemoncello-like (but non-alcoholic) drink. I found it in duty-free in Madrid and thought I had struck gold. One of my best friends loves lemon drops (the drink) so I thought this would be a great gift. Ooops. I didn't realize that we would have to go through security again (since I was transferring) once we cleared US customs. So, I gave my bottle to the nice lady at the security and told her to share and enjoy!

2) Do not panic if yours bags don't make it with you to the US.

I waited and waited at baggage claim in Newark for my bags to arrive. On the descent, I keep hearing about the need to retrieve my luggage and go through customs regardless of my final destination. How was I supposed to go through customs without my bags!? Well, I waited as long as I could before I was going to miss my connection and went through customs with my hang luggage only. Airline services said check with baggage claim in SFO. On the flight home, I made a mental list of the stuff in my bags...my Bronze Medal!!! Note to self: next time carry on Medal. All's well that ends well. My bags arrived the next morning with all belonging intact.

So this is the final entry for my Mallorca blog. I am glad to be home and see family, friends, kitties and colleagues. And most of all to be able to share pictures and stories from my trip!!!