Colorful leaves, crisp air, hot showers, old friends, sweaters, scarves, and no more mosquitos...
It was already very different from the day we got back home.
The plane rides were rather uneventfull, slept through most of them. Although Raquel did get to go into the cockpit with the pilot and speak into the microphone. (Of course SHE does all the cool stuff)
I didnt notice she was the one on the speaker after she talked into it about FOUR times. But once I did, me and Dad were already in our seats, and Raquel was speedwalking towards us with her new "Flight Crew" badge, and a look of accomlishment on her face. But besides that, the flight was pretty dull.
Sleeping, some snacks, more sleeping, me almost panicking when we hit some turbulence. It wasn't that bad though. Let's just say, there were A LOT of clouds.
We finally arrive to Nashville at around 5:30. We haven't even landed and we're already getting cold. Luckily we had some sweaters for the flight back home. Although they didn't really help, it was something.
We start walking out of the terminal and get take big escalators to our next destination: Baggage claim.
We walk and walk till we reach the end of the airport, where baggage claim is just around the corner. We're cold, hungry and we smell of airport and airplane food. Then as were walking to baggage claim, all of a sudden we see our friends waiting for us with balloons and flowers and a big sign that says "Welcome home Mazarelli's!"
That was a surprise...
For about three whole seconds I didn't recognize who they were. Till I heard my friend, Joaquin, yelling my name. Then I finally realized what was happening. Suddenly, I wasn't cold or tired, and surprisingly I forgot about my hunger. A giant bolt of energy hit me straight in the face and I ran towards them till I almost crashed into my friend, Kayla.
I was extremly happy that they were there, because I missed them dearly.
We hugged and greeted for a whole five minuets before actually getting our bags. After a few minuets of searching we finally found all four of our bags, including all four of our carry ons.
We walk towards the exit to wait for my grandpa and another sister who ws suppossed to pick us up and help tke our bags home.
I step out the large auomatic doors to the bleak air that awaited us outside. Only about five seconds out the door, and I already feel the bitter wind latching on to my skin and clothes. The cold wrapping itself around my nose where it slowly began to feel numb and hard.
It only made me wish grandpa, Papito, was here already with our coats and a heated car.
Luckily we didn't have to wait that long. In a matter of minuets he was there to greet us with the sister, Christina, and we were throwing our bags in the back seat.
We were so excited, we completely forgot to put our coats on. So we just got in the car rode back to the house where a delicious meal was supposedly waiting for us.
We pull up in the driveway, to see my grandmas head already sticking out the door waving at us to come in. We jump out of the car and run to Mamita. Hugs and kisses were spread all around, not only from grandma, but from our cousins who were also there waiting.
I hug, I kiss, I greet and I walk in to the house. Just as I step inside, a delicious smell of turkey and biscuits slaps me right in the face.
Definitely a smell I have not encountered in a while.
It. Was. AMAZING.
There was baked turkey, stuffing, rice and beans, biscuits, salad, homemade soup and gravy... Oh the gravy.
I ate till my stomach ached and body was too drained to move. And what an amazing feeling it was. Of course, it was no Dominican homecooked meal, but it was GOOD.
The rest of the night we just watched movies with our friends with happy stomachs, and chilly toes till it was time for bed.
It was already very different from the day we got back home.
Everything changed so much yet it was all exactly how it was when we left.
After seeing my friends and family again those next few days, I didn't know how much I actually missed them, but how Ok I was with it. (Like that isn't hard to explain)
Of course, it wasn't like I didn't miss them, because I always did. It was more of "I miss you, but im ok without you." (That's even harder to explain)
Everyday away from them was always hard. But it was easier than I thought it was going to be.
You would think being away from your friends and family, whom you've been around your enitre life, would make your life miserable. The end of the world.
But it wasn't. I was ok.
Yes, there were days harder than others, but overall it was fine.
And once you see each other again, it's like you saw them just last week.
It's not like their ever gonna forget about you.
Yes, everything was very different, but it all stayed the same.
I'm extremely happy to be home with my friends and family again, and I'm having so much fun with everyone.
Also hot showers... Did I mention those? They are amazing!