As it turned out, I was supposed to teach until 12:30am the morning of the 20th, so making my 1:00am flight was out of the question. After my sister had suggested that 10 days was too long to stay in Arkadelphia (read, she wasn't really wanting me around that long), she told me dad would pay to change my departure city and fly me to Chicago for the last few days. The airline said to check with CheapoAir, as they had booked my flight. After hearing the cost of $1000, I nixed the idea until I checked in with the airline itself to see if I could change my flight. School was starting back up July 2, so I booked my flights to arrive back in Saudi on July 1 so I could unpack and recoup.
It was a week before the start of vacation that I was told I could not leave after the first period the night before my flight so I could make the flight. I arranged to have my kids come in early to make up the classes, but the school said I was only working the morning session and they would give me a ride to the airport at 10:00pm. Nice, but then I was informed that because I was leaving before the very end of the work day, I would not only be docked the half day of pay, for the classes I missed, but would be docked for the entire vacation period. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I informed the director that I was not happy with this and explained the situation. She said she would write a letter on my behalf to the men's side and see if they could make an exception for me?!?! REALLY???? So, I left on "vaca" to Arkansas not knowing if or how much my paycheck when I came back. Typical, not unusual, for the company.
I got to the airport in time, was told I could NOT even pay to upgrade to business, and prepared for almost 24 hours in planes or airports....wooohooo! After I checked in, I was told that they could not change my departure city so check when I changed planes in Paris. Ok. When I arrived in Paris, I was told to check in Little Rock. Ok. In Little Rock, I was told to call the airlines. Ok. After claiming my almost empty bag, I was able to find my sister at arrivals (this is a joke, the airport is tiny). She remarked about the huge bag I was bringing with me for only ten days. I told her it was mostly empty and only contained gifts. I was planning to fill it to go home :-) Did I mention I live in a country where all the women have black hair so finding strawberry blonde....not gonna happen?
On the hour drive from Little Rock to Arkadelphia, we stopped at IHop for dinner. When asked what I wanted I simply said, "Bacon." Asked if I wanted anything with that, I replied, "More bacon." When pressured by my dad, I also ordered 2 eggs....with bacon :-) When we got to the house, I was so exhausted I didn't have a glass of wine, I stayed awake until 8:30 and then literally crashed. Slept until 8:30 am the next morning. Just in time to get breakfast and coffee at the REAL LIVE coffee house down the street. Actual espresso machine and bacon :-)
Dad was quick to inform me that I was to be paraded into the senior center for lunch at least one day. No problems. I was also informed that the following day I would take dad to the dentist. No problem. Remember when I said I was living in a country where every single woman has black hair? My only MUST for the entire trip was to find a hair salon to get my hair did. Apparently, "red" translates to actual clown red in Saudi. I had at least 3 shades of "red" in my hair. I asked the ladies at the senior center and was directed to a place in town. When I got there, I realized that only old ladies went there. Fortunately, they did not have my color and directed me to a salon down the road that did "younger hair". The poor gal took one look at me and simply said, "Oh my." I was told they had a last minute cancellation and if I came back in an hour they would get me in. NO PROBLEM!
I was able to hit a local dollar store and purchase some items, like a hair coloring bowl/brush set, paperback books for $1, and some English language flash cards. I had ordered some instant Starbucks, some inexpensive prescriptions glasses, and a few other items, that I had shipped to my sister's house. It was far easier and cheaper then trying to get things shipped to Saudi. I was able to get a cut and color for $120 + $20 tip. She had to strip the "red" and then color it. Took at least 2 hours but well worth it!
I was finally able to call the airline and get my departure city changed to Chicago for only $120, no problem. My father then booked me on the Amtrack from Arkadelphia to Chicago. He was kind enough to splurge for a sleeper and I have to tell you, WELL WORTH EVERY PENNY to be able to lay down and sleep! I was fed breakfast and lunch on the train....don't even ask, but it was food. I was able to hop on the 147 bus downtown, and take the bus to my old hood. I had been invited to stay with one of my besties (Holly), but I couldn't get ahold of her so I just got a room. It turns out, the Motel 8 was only 1.5 blocks to her Chicago apartment.
Her "studio", which is HUGE, is a penthouse on the north lakeshore area. She is close to Toughy and East of Sheridan. I spent 3 wonderful days with an amazing friend and a tremendous view!
Leaving her apartment was one of the hardest things I have done. I was headed back to this:
Sad to leave my home sweet home :-(
I was not able to get my new tooth put in before I left, so I was at least looking forward to getting that finished. It took many months and much money, but I finally got a new tooth!
It is so nice to be able to talk and smile without worrying. I no longer have to chant, "Keys, wallet, phone, tooth." when I leave the house!
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