Full circle with gratitude

Day 183 of the project, 
en route from Los Angeles to Dallas

"Welcome to the United States. The local time in Los Angeles is 7:15am on Sunday, January 4..." The greeting from the Australian-accented flight attendant sounded more like exotic destination than my native soil. I braced myself for re-entry. The holidays in the U.S. wreak havoc upon airports; the combination of so many travelers, weather delays and chronic overbooking creates a unique chaos and can bring out the worst of our national traits. Maybe not warmest embrace from American society.

It is surreal, being surrounded by Americans instead of being a foreigner. To sail through passport control with no questions or extra paperwork. To know the shortcuts that enable a tight connection. To savor the simultaneous familiarity and strangeness of little Americanisms, like university (American) football jerseys, stuffed overhead storage bins and thick Southern accents. No cowboy hats yet, but I have faith in my countrymen to deliver results in Dallas.

Courtesy of crossing the international dateline, I am experiencing the last day of the project twice. Perhaps it is fitting this way. One to close this chapter of my story and one to begin the next. A friend pointed out that I have a blank page ahead of me...a rare and unique gift in life. A chance to use the experiences, reflections and ideas collected over the past six months to craft the next installment. There is a touch of fear in the unscripted future, but I am ready for a little carpe diem action.

In the meantime, I cannot begin to fully express my gratitude to the countless people who helped bring the project to life. To my family, for embracing this crazy idea and joining me overseas (not to mention schlepping wardrobe reinforcements). To my friends in the States, for encouraging me when I needed it most. To my new friends from the road, for bringing color and richness to the journey. To the strangers along the way, for your kindness and assistance to a solo traveler. To my armchair travelers (Google Analytics says you exist!), for faithfully reading my long-winded stories. Thank you, thank you, thank you.