Homecoming "Dream"

This was it. 

The day had arrived. 

The day I feared. The fear stemmed not from the emotional dread of departing a country I'd called home for a year or the impending geographical distance between friends who became family. No, the fear was a consequence of the unfortunate knowledge of just how long I would be spending in airplanes and airports... alone.

I know B.O.B. likes to pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars. He's obviously never taken the full day plane trip from Miami, USA to Sydney, Australia. When I say full day, it's not the same as when people brag they did a full day of work. Honey, you only did a 7 hour shift. Nope, it was an entire day of travel. 

It all began with a goodbye to this Miami apartment I'd spent about a month in over the past couple of years. 

Then Alicia, Carlos, 4 suitcases, a carry on, a backpack, a travel wallet, a big coat, travel pillow and I set off for the airport. 

Last time I left America we ate lunch at Chilis, so we decided to establish a tradition by doing it again. We skipped dessert this time because America had already done a bang up job assisting with my unwanted weight gain. 

After lunch we thought there was enough time for hugs, to snap the obligatory departure photo

shuffle through security and board my flight. 

How mistaken we were. There was plenty of time, but not quite enough to get severely lost and confused trying to find my departure gate. I arrived about 15 minutes before my first flight's scheduled take off and my seat had already been given to a standby passenger. There wasn't even an announcement over the airport speakers to warn me that my seat was about to ripped from beneath me. Thanks American Airlines. Top job. 

Another gentleman who arrived before me also had his promised seat taken. We made the walk of shame to an American Airlines counter and were placed on the standby list for the next flight. If I scored a seat on this flight I would be able to make my connecting flight from LA to Sydney. If I missed this one then I'd be forced to live a life on the run in America because that connecting flight would be sailing through the sky. The stakes were high, but all I could do was wait. Wait and hope that some poor passenger would also be lost and miss their flight. 

To my relief I was able to park my toosh on a plane seat cushion. But not before I had no where to put my bag, no flight attendant to assist me and the compounding pressure of being the final passenger not buckled up. I scoured the plane and finally found a flight attendant to help. 

Upon finishing Straight Outta Compton I'd arrived on the American west coast. Then I got straight outta my seat and made the journey to the Qantas terminal. I even arrived with enough time to sit in the airport and snap a selfie showing just how terrible you can look while travelling!

On the epic overseas flight I indulged in genuinely delicious plane food, naps and a few movies. My selections were Anna Karenina, The Dressmaker and Pitch Perfect 2 because I wanted a comedic film to distract me from my post working holiday blues. After crying at a scene where the Barden Bellas talk of leaving their friends behind it was time for some more snacks. Then I flew into this humble harbour accompanied by a Destiny's Child Jumpin' Jumpin' soundtrack even though it was 8:30am and the club was not jumpin' jumpin'. 

Somehow I transported all my luggage solo through the airport and customs. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard would be so proud because I declared everything when I came to Australia. No awkward apology videos from me. 

I saw my mom, tipped my luggage trolley then stood there. I was home. Reunited with these old folks. 

 

And I was greeted with this balloon because apparently I'd been missed.

 

I may be up-to-date with my posts about my adventures, but I'm really drawing this blog thing out because I'm not ready to say goodbye. So standby for my last post in this instalment of American Adventures.

Ms Worldwide

The first few Miami days involved recovering with sleep and binge watching an entire season of Once Upon a Time. Then Australia Day arrived and I thought it was time to experience the world beyond my pyjama clad laziness. 

Carlos and I began with a Target trip for some Aussie Day essentials. 

We left the wine at the store. 

That night I taught Carlos how to do a Tim Tam Slam. 

The Miami skies delivered a light torrential downpour the following day as I went to school. 

Apparently I just can't get enough of educational institutions. I went to meet the year two students Alicia assists as a teacher's aide. 

I was called Ariel, told I have a better accent than Alicia and learnt some Spanish numbers when I won a couple of bingo rounds. Maybe it was unfair to play against 7 year olds, but I don't care because I won a pencil. 

Later that day I could no longer ignore this.

My American life strewn over the floor. 

Another night we discovered watching videos about serial killers well into the morning is not a bedtime routine that should be repeated. 

My final full day in Miami began in the art district at Wynwood. 

We soaked in the displays of creativity. 

The trendy district provided an array of inspired brilliance. 

It was a fun family outing. 

We even ran into Carlos' cousin, Vanessa and her two sons, Nicholas and Aiden. Here we see Nicholas in his unnatural habitat at the plant nursery. 

Carlos, Alicia and I took a night walk. 

Dinner that night was served alongside a DJ at the Wynwood Diner. 

The atmosphere and decor were on point, on fleek and totally bae.

The boozy shakes were a great concept, but not something I'd run back for. I might stroll back, but not run. 

My last American supper was the traditional and delectable chicken and waffles. 

I couldn't let my final night in America end there, so I suggested a wild evening of rock star karaoke. 

Carlos commenced with a questionable rendition of the 90s classic Wannabe. 

We sang through a hefty selection of tunes, pushing our vocal skills to infinity and beyond. 

Alicia toddled off to sleep city while Carlos and I continued the festivities. Eventually concluding with the karaoke essential, Livin' on a Prayer to Alicia's delight. Not because we sounded any good, but because it was over. 

That may have been my final day in the great United States, but this isn't my final blog post. I still had a whole new adventure of travelling back to Australia. 

Kentucky Pride Stickin'

Louisville, Kentucky is a great spot for a window shop. This time Paige, Hannah and I hit up Work The Metal. 

Disney haunted us like frozen fractals all around. 

Our attempted tour of Churchill Downs shut down by the snow. 

Impressions left in the snow as we explored Fourth Street. 

It appeared I wasn't the only Australian in Kentucky that day. 

Then once again I added something to my bucket list, just to tick it off - bourbon tasting in Kentucky.

The beverage assaulted the nasal passages and murdered a few taste buds. 

This Louisville visit I skipped the grave and saw the man himself. 

We stalked a few estates on the way home while Paige resisted the urge to drive through the snow. 

Following a brief rest stop back home, Mom and Dad Hasson, Paige and I ate dinner at the Silver Dollar. Paige opted for the chicken and waffles. I ate... the ummm... I actually don't recall, which tells me it wasn't particularly tasty or nasty.

Later that night Paige's dreams came true when her, Hannah and I drove over the new Lincoln Bridge. Paige was kind of totally jealous I'd been driven over it before her during my unexpected, interstate hitchhiking adventure. 

We pretended to see the Falls of the Ohio. I hear it's quite beautiful in the daylight. Photos were taken of the Kentucky skyline instead. 

We explored Paige's university and the home of my college football team - University of Louisville. 

I lost half my legs in the snow. 

The UofL library was closed, but I'm Australian, so I got to take a photo. 

You can't tell, but I'm doing the "L" with my hand. It basically just looks like a gun. Because America. Woo!

Then we had a tour of some campus housing. They are living the life. Not a bunk bed to be seen. 

Paige and I finished the night with a little television viewing where Donald Trump spurted out my favourite piece of his garbage. He is convinced he could go to Fifth Avenue, shoot a man and not lose any of his supporters. That night I rested soundly knowing I'd spent my time in America with a president slightly less into shooting the general public. 

For my final day in the great state of Kentucky, Paige, Hannah and I went hotel hopping. We started at The Brown.

This chap had been waiting all day for my arrival. 

This hotel is the birthplace of the hot brown. Not a euphemism for poop, but a dish I was first disappointed by at the Troll Pub. We rode the elevator to the top because sometimes we act like children. 

We moved onto the Seelbach. This place was even fancier. 

The staircase in the lobby was legit. 

Hannah's old history teacher, Mr Sharp, gave us a free, comprehensive tour. We were shown the former Rathskeller in the basement. 

The former speakeasy now welcomes dancing and drinking legally, as a function room. The leather ceiling adorned with zodiac signs. 

Among the many celebrity guests was F. Scott Fitzgerald. Paige and I tested the great ballroom written about in The Great Gatsby. 

My Kentucky time concluded with 11 herbs and spices provided by the colonel. 

Each of my visits to Kentucky was a unique and blog worthy experience. I can't thank my first American adopted family, the Hassons, enough for their hospitality. 

We even coordinated our outfits for my first Thanksgiving. 

And to my first TSPP twin, Paige, thank you for everything. From bottomless milkshake comas, to never ever teasing the way I say, "no". From spontaneous plans to watch the kiss goodnight after conquering 4 parks in one day, 

to entire conversations about filling the can. From accompanying me in our seats on the E bus (even that one time I chundered) to your thoughtful gifts sent in the mail.

From DFEM to eating Twizzlers while waiting in line at Walmrt. Thank you for your unexpected, honest, caring, hilarious and fun friendship. 

Stay curious. 

Stay beautiful. 

Stay you. Xo