Day 1.8: Washington DC to Portland to Springfield (Auna)

Day 1.8 Washington DC to Portland to Springfield

    Today, completely wore out, Deija and I slugishly get out of bed to prepare our bags for the airport. Today we check out of the hotel,  and that means we are carrying our backpacks around. Today we had planned to see museums today which is great, but they don't allow our big packs in there so this meant that someone had to stay behind with all the backpacks. March, always thinking of us, volunteered himself because he has been in D.C. once before and had seen most of the museums. First Deija and I went in the Air and Space Museum. It was sweet! There was lots of history and famous things that I have heard of in there. Deija had heard that they had a Einstein Planeterium and she was really excited to see that... until she figured out that it was $15. Yes, $15, we are not working with the strong Euros any more... for now at least (;
 
    The next museum we choose is the Natural Museum of History. It is huge! Everything was so interesting and cool you couldn't help but read everything which made it take very long to get through. I tried to hurry because I felt a little guilty because I didn't want March to sit there all day but I ended up being longer than I had thought. They had such great set ups, amazing fossils and a big section on evolution, mammals, ice age, sea life, and much, much more! I really enjoyed myself. I walk back to our meeting place and sit with March for a little bit until Deija arrives back. He tells that we have a change in plans. Instead of walking to the Airport we are walking to the F.B.I. building bwcause Deija wanted her picture next to the building then we will say good bye to Bree there because she flies out at a different place.  We then will take the Metro directly to the airport. We are so close to being home, the end is coming quicker than I expected. Saying good bye to Bree and thanking her really made me notice that this trip really is ending! We were splitting up and going our seperate ways. I'm glad that Bree was there to experience the trip with us. It would have been way different if she wasn't there.
 
    Once we arrive at the airport the security checks and everything seem to go by very quickly. Now we just wait! We have about 3 hours to Houston and then we switch to a 4 hour plane ride to Portland. On the first plane it wasn't that bad but we were getting a little tired. We still aren't used to the D.C. time yet and we were still mixed up in Spain time. By the time we board our second plane for the evening we all were exhausted! It was probably the most uncomfortable plane ride I hace experienced on the trip! I don't think I slept for more than twenty minutes, neither did March or Deija, but I'm glad it was my last plane. I don't plan on getting in another one for a while. Once we get off the plane and we were about to walk into the crowd of families waiting to see their loved ones I tried to choke up a very sincere "Thank you." to March without tearing up. I cried a little bit though, I can't ever explain or say how thankful I am for him giving me this experience of a lifetime. So many doors have opened up in my head and I have new interests, new priorties, and new goals. We made it! I was very tired walking up so it was a little surprise when I felt a huge squeeze around my body. It was my mom! Mommy dearest whom I've missed, oh so much! She wouldn't let go for a while and my lungs had most of the oxygen squeezed out of them but I was okay with it. (: Deijas mom squeezed her a bunch as well! Her mom was holding a sign that my mom had made that said "Welcome home, James, Auna, Deija". My great step dad was there as well, it was nice to give him a big hug too, I missed them both so much! Deijas mom had drove up with my mom and we also took March home so our mini van was almost full with March and my step dad up front and then my mom and I in the middle and Deija and her mom in the back. It was a very long drive home and as tired as I was I dodn't sleep because I was telling my mom all these stories! My mom's phone was also getting a bunch of calls from family eager to hear my voice again. When we arrive home I am welcomed by my grandma and my Aunt Meg. I talked with them all night to so I didn't actually get to bed until 3A.M.  and it felt so nice to be home. I saw my baby sister sleeping and she has gotten big! I couldn't resist but to pick her up. Later on the night my seven year old sister came down the stairs and jumped into my lap! I was so happy to be with all of my family again but I will definetly miss the days of the Camino. 

So now it's time to get used to the time change.  This shall be interesting.
    
We will have some follow-up posts about the trip, too.  Thanks for reading!

Auna