Then we got to Dublin and had to go through a security check and immigration before we got to another very boring airport wing… At this point we just wanted to be home. Our long flight to Chicago was uneventful. When we arrived home I was clearly more messed up when then when we arrived in Paris. The jet lag struggle was real and lasted the next month and a half. I didn’t mind waking up at five in the morning, I got a lot done, but the falling asleep at seven was not as much fun.
Flying Back
Today was rough. Lots of security checks, lots of trying to keep myself awake or force myself to sleep, and lots of chilling at airports. We flew back to Paris first because a round-trip flight was cheapest, but that meant we had to transfer from the national to the international gates, which meant a passport and security check. Then apparently our gate was in the most boring part of the airport, there was a coffee shop and a airport shop… that was it.
Reflections
I had an amazing time, my family had an amazing time, and we all still liked each other when we got home!
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Was our trip 100% perfect? No. But was it the best trip I've done in my 22 years? Yes, and hopefully I can keep trying to beat it. If you recall back to my first reaction to taking a Rick Steves tour, I was skeptical. Looking back now, I would do another one in a heartbeat and I would unequivocally recommend it to someone else.
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One of the best things I got out of the trip, is the courage I now have about returning to Europe. Obviously, I'm still nervous about the idea of travelling abroad without my parents or without a tour guide, but not enough to keep me from going.
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To end this scrapbook of my 2017 Rick Steves My Way Tour: Europe in 14 Days, I would like to say thank you to our awesome guide Jody, our wonderful bus driver Philippe, and our stupendous tour group! You all made the trip even better! And I wish you all the best on the rest of your travels!
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-Alix
