I HAVE LANDED!

*WARNING - LONG BLOG AHEAD!*

Well it took long enough but I am finally in Seattle. It was a difficult journey, we had to get up at 2.00 in the morning, I was awoken by my father yelling at me because I was late, luckily I was already clothed so all I had to do was run downstairs, shove some coffee down my throat say goodbye to Jules and the animals and run to the car.


I asked Jenn if she could accompany me to the airport so we had to pick her up from Oundle. It was hard finding her as we were all nearly comatose with sleep but she was already there waiting for us. She had a fantastic "Bon Voyage!" pressie for me. *MY PHONE* I was SO excited until I remembered it's virtually useless until you get the SIM card, which was a massive turn off, but I can always get one in the States, which is what I'll do.

Well we drove to the airport, me and Jenn being stupid and singing songs from the Lion King, with the occassional pause so Jenn could read me the latest text from Tom Booker and go "Awww" We also watched the sunrise, as we approached heathrow which so completely gorgeous, me and Jenn knew that the end was nigh and shared an emotional moment before we got to Heathrow.

When we FINALLY arrived in Heathrow, Jenn wheeled the baggage trolley over, or at least she tried to, because she forgot it was one of those "push bar thingies" We got to destinations and checked both my large bags in which were just under 20kg each. It took me ages to make sure they were the right weight. Me and Jenn needed the loo before I went through security, she then picked the best time to ask me "Imagine what would happen if you died!" and "You know Lou, this might be the last time we see each other ever" Fantastic Jenn, scare the shit out of a aviaphobic who hates flying anyway.

It came. The moment. We were right near security and that's when I had to say goodbye. Mom as usual started sobbing and dad got a bit red eyed, me and Jenn cried and cried and she gave me a letter, telling me not to lose it. Honestly, telling Louise Hedges not to lose anything is dangerous. After saying goodbye I joined the security queue and was told to drop everything, I was nearly half naked walking through the detector! I had to take off my jacket, my shoes and my belt, and even then I set it off. It was my darn necklace.

I was in WHSmith buying some snacks for the plane when I heard that there was a major squeeze on the KLM flight and hand luggage had to reduced. Luckily that was not a problem for me, but hikers inwardly cursed as they were forced to check in their massive backpacks at a charge.

The flight to Amsterdam was ok. I was sat next to two women who were from an aid group going to Uganda, one of them had a strong fear of flying and burst into tears when we prepared to take off, but I shared my pick and mix with them and she seemed to perk up. I should write a thesis on the medicinal qualities of fizzy cola bottles. We were packed like sardines on the flight, there was nowhere to put my backpack, so I had to put in on my lap, but the flight was only 45 mins. I was right at the very very back of the plane, so I could hear the flight crew speaking in dutch all the time, which kinda grated at the end.

When we arrived at Schipol I had to run to get my connecting flight because we were held up due to the fog. It was good that I set off to the next gate because it took AN ABSOLUTE AGE to get there! I had to check in a second time and pass through security but then a massive PIERCING alarm sounded off and I nearly wet myself I was so scared, but then the guards said that it wasn't me and I could continue. I sat for about 20 mins staring at my phone in wonder, marveling at how gorgeous it looked before we were told we could board.

The plane was not so bad, I had a good seat, a window seat, but there was only one person sitting next to me who was a very nice lady from Kodiak, Alaska. We talked for quite a while until we took off. The flight SNAILED on, honestly, it took AGES. I slept for most of it, waking up occasionally to eat something and go back to sleep. The entertainment on flights is getting better and better though! They had HAIRSPRAY available to watch, I watched that a few times along with a few episodes of Spongebob and that seemed to while away the time much faster.

As we flew across the north pole and Iceland the view was breathtaking, you could see the icy glaciers below us and the random patched of ice in the sea, it was so gorgeous. That slowly turned to flying over Canada, which in turn turned to flying over the rockies, and then Seattle came into view, as soon as I saw the Space Needle I knew I was home. That's when I read Jenn's letter, which made me cry so much the woman next to me gave me a pack of tissues and an ear so I could chat about her. Jenn if your reading this, I LOVE YOU TOO!

I passed through customs very easily surprisingly and what was really weird was that I got my baggage in RECORD time, they were the first two suitcases off the conveyor belt. I met up with Denise who's mom's school friend and in classic Denise fashion said "Is there anywhere we can eat" to which she replied "Oh I forgot, you're the one who likes to eat a lot!" - Yeh that is me. We ate at Daimonji, a little japanese place in Georgetown which really hit the spot and then we drove right back to her condo.

I got a chance to call people and check my emails and was once again deeply touched by the personal messages everyone left on facebook, it's already difficult knowing I have to go on without you here, but those messages brought you one step closer, thanks. <3

I started to feel a bit drowsy so Denise took me for a walk outside in the sun, I regret not bringing my suncap because now my scalp is quite unpleasantly pink with the sun, from now on I must put a cap on everytime I go out. I'm now in Denise's condo trying my best not to fall asleep and looking forward to my shower when the bathroom becomes available.

Tomorrow I am meeting up with Susie and GOING BACK TO THE FARM! Honestly, you have no idea how excited I am about that.

Well that's all for now, speak tomorrow!