Middle East Trip: Day 10

Day 10: Home

The flight back was surprisingly tolerable given its length, something like thirteen hours. The jetliner was rather new, with video screens built in the seat in front of us. We were all grouped together, just in front of the rear attendant/restroom area. Our flight from Dubai was filled with ex-military who had been serving in Afghanistan working for private contractors. Although I took a Lunesta a few hours into the flight after dinner and watching a couple of documentaries the sleeping pill did not have much of an effect on me. I would sleep for ninety minutes, wake us, watch a bit of Ghostbusters, go back to sleep, watch a bit more. After the third time I just stayed up and watched Green Zone, which I had never seen. The film is of course set in Syria’s neighboring country of Iraq. As they showed the streets of Bagdad (I now know to be Morroco) and home interiors (actually Spain) in the movie, I wondered where it was actually filmed, but it did bring to mind the tight maze-like atmosphere of Damascus. As it worked out the credits for Green Zone were rolling as the wheels touched down in Atlanta where we had to process through customs before taking off for XNA later that morning.

We experience a couple of small hiccups getting through customs but nothing serious. I did get told to keep my hands down as I stretched my back and shoulder while standing in line at a security check. Kind of a Barney Fife moment. Once through all the security and once again in the US everyone connected via wi fi and cell phones. Technology is quite marvelous. For the first time in ten days I sent a text to Sheila saying that I was okay and we were on schedule to arrive about noon at XNA.

We spent our time getting snacks, and chatting, and expressing appreciation to the many GI’s in the airport. . On the flight from Atlanta I finished reading Blue Like Jazz and a lot of the team napped. Coming into XNA I could see ponds of brownish water in the landscape that had not seen rain for six weeks. Even so it seemed a bit strange to see standing water on the surface of the ground.

Upon landing a wonderful contingent of friends and family greeted us; since the flight was half full unloading the baggage did not take long. We had gotten in early and Sheila was running late because she needed to get gas so I had a short wait outside by the curb. It was enjoyable sitting there, feeling the breeze and listening to the birds. I was back home in Arkansas.