"The Time Has Come the Walrus Said"

My journey has ended, well my journey in Ecuador that is. I had to keep my flight home quiet so I could surprise my sister for her graduation. I was initially going to be leaving on the 16th but I was able to move up the dates of my final exams so I could be home in time for the graduation. It was a success and she was excited, YAY!

My plane was supposed to leave Quito at 5:40 and I was going to have a 40 min layover in El Salvador. I was hoping there wouldn't be any delays so I could make my connecting flight but of course something had to go wrong. I was pulled aside for a "random routine baggage check" and taken underneath the airport where an officer opened my suitcase and pulled everything out as he flirted with me... awesome. When I got back up to the gate, everyone was boarding (on time I might add.). I had high hopes of our plane taking off on time but we all ended up sitting in the plane for about an hour and a half more until the fog let up. I knew I wasn't going to make my connecting flight so I just hoped that there would be another flight that I could switch to.

Luckily I only had to wait about 5 extra hours in the El Salvadorian airport and the airline gave me free lunch. I got back to Dulles around 10pm and blew through customs. The agent didn't seem to believe me that I only brought back bread and souvenirs since I had been there for 5 months but he let me go. My family was patiently waiting for me with big hugs and balloons. I immediately hugged my dog and ate a big steak when I got home.

Everyone says that studying abroad changes you and I would have to agree. I don't really know how to explain why I feel different, I just do. I have all of these fun experiences and memories that I will keep for the rest of my life. I made so many new friends and went on countless adventures. I can't wait until I get an opportunity to go abroad again but it will have to wait until my wallet gets a little bit fatter and my student loans get a bit skinnier.

Being back home is wonderful. I don't have to worry about the water I'm drinking (or opening my mouth in the shower); I can throw the toilet paper in the toilet; I can walk freely without the fear of being robbed; No one cat calls me; I can drive... I'm sure there's more.

I will definitely miss the beautiful mountains and volcanoes. I wont be able to travel and go on crazy adventures every weekend; There's no more almuerzo for $2; I'll probably never see some of my friends again; I'll miss the stray dogs too. This list could go on for days.

I will come back to Ecuador one day. I need to go back to the Amazon (If Correa doesn't sell it all off) and definitely the Galapagos. Chau for now everyone!