Jeddah part 2

Water was being splashed on my face, my pants and shirt felt slightly damp, wetter in some spots more than others. Neal was next to me, and I was lying there. On.the.floor. I was on the floor, the sticky, black from grime (and who knows what else) with raised circles floor, next to the smelliest bathroom ever floor. There I was just lying there, listening to people talk. I heard people asking me questions, calling my name. I have no idea if my eyes were closed or open. Someone finally sat me up (Neal says it was him), I looked up for a second, just to put my head in between my knees. More questions, lots of people. I just sat there, head down, eyes closed.

We flew non stop from DC, because it took so long at the Saudi counter to get our boarding passes (didn't help that they opened 45 minutes late!), due to confusion over luggage costs, we stayed at the airport for the duration of our layover---about six hours. We flew in from Jacksonville. We had exactly 6 bags, 2 were 50lbs, the rest were nearer to 70. 2 full size carseats, a pack and play, 2 carry ons, 3 backpacks, a diaper bag and an umbrella stroller. Whew! I actually thought we had a lot of luggage until sitting at the Saudi ticket counter watching people check in---holy smokes the amount of 'stuff' people bring over is phenomenal.

Our seats were mixed all over the plane, so after they informed us of the full flight status, they told us the best they could do was give us the last two rows---2 and 2. Didn't sound so bad at the time. Frankly, I was just happy to have help on the flight, I didn't care where we sat.

Then we boarded, last 2 rows, row 47 &48. We were warmly welcomed on to the plane, each flight attendant taking our tickets to 'help' us to our seat. We even had assistance with our carry on (a first for me). As we were boarding one of the Saudi ladies asked me if we were headed to Jeddah and then graciously welcomed me into her country. It was so genuine, meant a lot to me.

The plane takes off, it's a bit bumpy, doesn't really ever get better, the food is so incredibly stinky I could hardly handle it, the upper compartment from Eden's seat, next to Neal's, leaked, I think it was the air conditioning vent, it was FREEZING cold, by mid flight I had on my jacket, two blankets and a scarf around my neck. I was still cold. Tommy and Eden slept uncomfortably, one on top of many blankets on the floor (Tommy), the other stretched out as much as possible on the seat (Eden). Neal and I tried really hard to sleep, it was not very restful, as soon as we would doze off one of the kids would wake up crying, and so it went.

I had finally managed to sleep when the flight attendant woke us for 'breakfast'(isn't that always how it works?), Neal ate tin foiled eggs like a champ (i'm convinced this man can do anything, including eating just about anything placed before him), I refused whole-heartedly. I went back to sleep to awake feeling flushed, and severely nauseous, like I need a bathroom or bag because I'm going to throw up right now nauseous. I grabbed the bag, stripped off all my layers, and took the five steps to the bathroom waiting area. The bathroom was occupied, I went to lean my head down because I was sure I was going to puke, and felt super light headed, and the next thing I knew I was being "sprinkled" with water.

The flight ended. We all recovered. Kids woke up. A very kind woman who also had little kids on the plane handed me two dum dum lollipops, she told me they were for the kids. Another sweet reminder of the goodness of people, another gentle welcome into a foreign land.

Customs was somewhat of a joke. The "I'm too cool for you" shabab put my passport in a puddle of water sitting conspicuously (or at least i thought so) on the counter, when I annoyingly told him there was water (how he didn't notice i have no idea) on the counter he nonchalantly replied, "mah-lesh" (basically, who cares, it'll be fine, don't worry about it, type of word), I wanted to kill him.

We got through customs, got our bags. Talked to a really sweet fully veiled mom (thank you Eden), for a bit while we waited for our bags to be picked up (thank you Neal). Neal's truck was there to greet us in the parking lot, with another car to carry the luggage, and we were on our way.

Done and done. Next stop, "home".