Day 79: Home sweet home

I woke up at 5am this morning, two and a half hours before I was due to leave for the airport, for many reasons: 1) I hadn't actually finished packing, 2) I couldn't stop thinking (and dreaming) about how heavy my suitcases were going to be and 3) if my alarm sounded any later, I would have had an automatic lie-in and missed my flights. 5am it was then.

In the midst of packing, my boss came to the dorms to see how I was getting on. I made sure I was wearing the heaviest clothes I own (including the leather boots my mum sent to Latvia) and finished packing not long after. A bit of moral support goes a long way! I knew I was going to pack right up until the last moment. I did some spring cleaning, left the keys for the dorms manager to collect and dragged my suitcases outside, certain that they were both over the limit. The driver came and even he struggled to carry my suitcase - what hope did I have?! Before we set off, my boss remembered that I left my USB stick in her office and now had it in her apartment. I would have actually flown back to Latvia just to get it... At least I got to say goodbye to her twice!

With my USB in my pocket and my friend now in the car, we were officially Riga-bound. And what did I do? Yep, I fell asleep, still dreaming about those darned baggage fees! Two hours later, we eventually arrived at the airport. Oh and before I forget, my friend gave me two Latvian chocolate bars as presents so we shoved them in my large suitcase before joining the queue to check-in my luggage. The atmosphere seemed very different to London Gatwick, much calmer and less chaotic. Soon enough, it was time to weigh my bag and I instantly whipped out my purse. I couldn't believe my eyes. 21.5kg! I thought it was going to be at least 30kg. For some reason, I didn't have to pay any fees. I think the beads of sweat forming on my forehead must have evoked some sympathy from the airline worker.

I had at least an hour until I had to go through customs so my friend and I spoke about our dreams and goals in life. I vowed that I will visit Latvia again and she promised to come to London one day. I said my final goodbye...

A precious friendship.

I kept noticing minor differences between my journey to Latvia and back to England. Firstly, going through customs was a breeze; having to take off my boots made me chuckle. Secondly, I didn't have to run to my gate like a maniac as I had at least 45 minutes before boarding. I somehow managed to resist buying anything in duty-free. I decided that the chocolate was my Latvian souvenir and stayed strong. Thirdly, we didn't walk through a "Jetway" to get on the plane. Instead, we had to walk across the car park (or plane-park) and up the plane's steps. I feel I have a well-rounded experience of planes now. I just need to fly in business class and I'm sorted. Fourthly, I ate on the plane. Okay, not a full-blown meal - just a Twix and a packet of Pringles - but it's something! And lastly, I fell asleep for at least half of the flight. You can tell how tired I was this morning, right?

My final final goodbye - bye Latvia!

But I wasn't too tired to notice this beauty:

SAFTEY? Proofreading must be in my nature...

I was sitting near the wing and became so excited that I had to take a photo to remember the moment:

I want to sit there!

I landed in London Gatwick safe and sound. I must admit that tears began to well up as soon as the wheels touched the runway but I didn't cry like I'd expected! There was one thing I didn't expect though: the boiling heat as soon as I left the airport to meet my dad, brother and his best friend (my mum was waiting at home). A very, very bad decision to wear boots and a leather jacket during a spontaneous heatwave.

I'm already adjusting to cars driving on the other side of the road, plenty of motorway traffic and seeing signs for London 2012 everywhere I go. As I sat in McDonalds for my fix of junk food, I looked out of the window and smiled. Home sweet home.

Reunited once again.

I hope you have enjoyed following the adventures of my first time abroad. Paldies to all of you for reading. Remember, there's more to come in two weeks...

Until next time,

A Student Abroad (au revoir, hehe!)