Well, as it always seems to happen, all good things must come to an end. My stay in Poland I wish was still going on but you can’t function in this world without money. And so begins the story of my voyage back to the U.S.

It is a hard thing to leave the one you love but sometimes there is no other way.  This was one of those no other way things.So I booked a flight back to the U.S. and prepared to leave. All too soon the fateful day arrived. One of the toughest things I have ever had to do. The bus arrives and you have to go. Suitcase loaded up and tearful goodbyes said. Then you try to keep control of your emotions as you settle in for the 90 minute drive to the Schonefeld airport in Berlin. After picking up another passenger, it’s out onto the hiway and the turning of the wheels takes over as I drift off to sleep.

I had booked the flight back on Wow airlines based out of Iceland. But trying to check in was made a bit difficult because the signage in Schonefeld is not good. After asking three different people, one of them being the info desk, I finally found the place to check in. And then it begins. The waiting in lines. I was there a little early for my flight. Fortunately, Karolina packed a lunch for me. I borrowed part of a table from Burger King and ate lunch while I wait.  There is not much free space in this airport. I am guessing that it is an older design.  The best part of the wait was the staging area before we actually got on the plane. A large room full of airport type chairs but there seemed to be plenty of places to sit. Loading the plane was a bit different. They opened the door and led us out onto the parking area for the planes. We had to walk out to the plane and then up the steps and into it.  Other than that the first leg of the trip was pretty uneventful. Only a couple hour flight to Iceland.

I had about a two hour layover in Iceland. This was the longest day of the year and only 50 degrees outside. Not a bad stop and able to do more than just run from plane to plane. The first thing to do when looking for souvenirs is to figure out the exchange rates.  And when in Iceland you are going to buy tourist trinkets because how many times will you be in Iceland? Things were fairly expensive but with the purchases done you wonder about going outside to see the land. I decided to stay in the airport because I found out that town, Reykjavik, was 45km away and only a short time remained till I boarded the plane.  A short tram ride to the plane and shortly all were boarded and settled in. The plane taxis to the runway. I felt the power as the engines roar. The plane starts down the runway. And then it powers down. Seems a light came on and protocol dictates it must be fixed first. So back to the terminal. We sit on the plane for about 90 minutes while the techs work on the problem. Clapping breaks out as the plane finally gets underway again. Do you believe in deja vu? Once again on the runway. I feel the engines power. The plane starts to roll down the runway and then it powers down again.  A short tram ride to the plane and shortly all were boarded and settled in. The plane taxis to the runway. I felt the power as the engines roar. The plane starts down the runway. And then it powers down. Seems a light came on and protocol dictates it must be fixed first. So back to the terminal. We sit on the plane for about 90 minutes while the techs work on the problem. Clapping breaks out as the plane finally gets underway again. Do you believe in deja vu? Once again on the runway. I feel the engines power. The plane starts to roll down the runway and then it powers down again. Back to the terminal we go. Only this time we are told to take all our things and wait in the terminal. And now the real fun begins but you will have to wait for next week’s conclusion.