We flew back to Chicago on Easter Sunday. It was also Daylight Savings Time in the U.K. I didn't realize that Daylight Savings Time was different from the U.S. in the U.K., and it was unfortunate that we had to lose an hour on the day we left. We had to get up at 4:30 AM, which felt like 3:30 AM because we had an early flight. The flight from Edinburgh to London was relatively painless. They served a traditional English breakfast on the flight, our last chance for traditional British food. We spent several hours in Heathrow waiting for our flight to Chicago. It was an extremely big airport with signs saying that certain gates were a 10 minute or even a 20 minute walk away from the main shopping and eating centers in the terminal. One thing that Stefinie and I noticed was that the cartons of cigarettes that they sold had not just a surgeon general's warning, but also SMOKING KILLS and SMOKING HARMS YOURSELF AND OTHERS. This was in big contrast to the U.S., where the risks of smoking while definitely acknowledged, are minimized, especially on the packaging.
Heading home gave me time to reflect on what I missed most and what the contrasts were between home and London and Scotland, aside from what I have mentioned before. When you are traveling such as on a train or a plane, they don't announce the platform or the gate until several minutes before boarding. We didn't find out the gate of our plane until about an hour before we took off and less than half an hour before we boarded. This is in extreme contrast to the U.S. where you may be able to know your gate at least a day in advance if not before. This suggests that although London is a fast paced city, they are possibly more relaxed than Americans. They don't need to have such rigid plans. This is just an assumption, but it is also supported by the lack of clocks in public places and homes. We didn't have a clock in the palace, and it was difficult to find one in the airport except on TV. It made me conscious of how much I keep track of time throughout the day when I had to struggle to find a clock.
I also missed home cooking, as I often do when I go on vacation. Scottish food is somewhat different from what I'm used to, although I enjoyed it for the amount of time we were there. I'm sure I would have eventually missed American food if I had been there for longer. Related to that, apparently American only serves Dr. Pepper on domestic flights, so I could not get one of my favorite drinks from home, although it really wasn't a big deal.
It was nice to be back home in a familiar place. The temperature here was definitely warmer, and the snow is gone--at least for the time being. But to be honest these environmental factors are just minor inconveniences compared to the excitement of being in Scotland. I learned a lot and had a valuable life experience. I saw truly what my capabilities are in regards to being independent. It was a true opportunity for growth for me, and I will appreciate that forever. Although we may speak the same language, there is a completely different culture in the U.K. from many aspects. There is no doubt that I am grateful for what I have at home, but I also am thankful to have been able to travel and learn about another part of the world. I hope I get to go back someday, and if I don't, at least I can say I've been there and gained a lot from it.
Note: Thank you to the Dellers for an amazing trip! Wisconsin misses you! :)
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