THE JOURNEY HOME SEPT 28 2015

September 28, 2015

TREASURES FROM UZBEKISTAN

Sleep came easy, last night, but after 3 hours, was unable to maintain. The alarm went off...I wasn't ready to get up. I was still sick and weak. Was this ever going to end?

I showered, dressed and zipped everything up. 5:25, Tess calls and checks on me...on my way now, I tell her.

Michael awakened for my departure and shook my hand goodbye. It had been a good trip and we'd made easy roommates. I'd travel with him again and extended that offer.

TREASURES FROM KYRGYZSTAN

Tess, Judy, Eddie, Reina, Fernando, and Jose were waiting on me when I arrived in the lobby. Elena and Fatima had left several hours earlier and Michael and Yanko were staying. Our group was disbanding. It was a little sad. What an experience we'd shared. I'll never forget Samarkand...something I'd hoped would happen. I just never imagined the adventure it would be.

I didn't have time to check my email...just to go, I hoped for Internet in Istanbul.

A quick ride to the airport and three security checks later, immigration was before me. I hoped it would be easy leaving, the guide did say that it would be, a few stressful minutes and boarder control stamped me...I was clear.

HAND CRAFTER SILVER CUFF FROM KYRGYZSTAN

Once everyone was through, Tess, Judy, and I chatted for a bit. I stop our conversation and go to the restroom to throw up again. I was so tired, literally and figuratively,

There were no assigned gates but there were only 4 so, it wasn't a problem once they called for boarding. We all split up to take our seats. We didn't see each other again. We all had different departure cities from here.

I did my best to get some rest. It seemed like the 3.5 hr flight would last forever as I was in and out of sleep so many times.

Arriving in Istanbul, I followed the transfer procedure and went through security...again, there was no gate listed so I went to shop the bazaar. I bought a huge glass evil eye...I needed the protection, and a beautiful golden glass decorative plate with a scene painted on it...story to come.

I was weak and hungry and scared. I didn't want to throw up again but I had to try to eat. I tried several menus, walking the main shopping area...no go. I can always find something at Starbucks. So...a lemon carbonated drink, pomegranate juice, yoghurt and fruit, and lemon cake. Too much, I know, but I was hungry,

TREASURES FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Now I needed to sit...so tired, I walked and hunted as seating was at a premium today, as I didn't have a gate yet, I just went anywhere and found a seat. I wrote a bit and waited anxiously to see if my mix of foods would stay down.

A gate number, finally. After a regular boarding pass check, a TSA check, and a random screening, I could sit again.

I was having that feeling again :-( but trying to suppress it.

I boarded and the plane was warm...not good for my nausea. I asked it the heat was on or if cooler air would be used in the flight. Within 15 minutes it was cooler.,the seat, however, would not recline, also, I have a terrible headache....I'm a mess.

MORE TREASURES FROM UZBEKISTAN

In looked at out flight path, we'd be traveling over parts of Bulgaria, Romania, Budapest, Vienna, and Amsterdam. Hi to all my friends below. Passed just south of Rotterdam around 3:20 CET.

What a journey this had been. I’d learned to much about Central Asia, the history, it’s people, and my crew. I’d visited the center of the ancient Silk Road and discovered it’s treasures and while there, had the most amazing experience of my life. I’d hiked in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, visited the city to the snow capped peaks in southern Kazakhstan, seen great art and ancient sites of Uzbekistan, and explored one of the great ancient capitols of the world in Turkmenistan. I was filled with knowledge and experiences that I’d never forget. i had a new perspective, part of my every evolving understanding of the people and history of our world.