The homecoming has been seamless. We checked out of the apartment on time and took plenty of time getting to the airport.

United offered us $400, a hotel stay and two meals to stay in Paris for an extra day. I really considered leaving my students with another mediocre substitute… but decided against it… more for my own reputation than for their education. Awful! I’m awful. The dilemma was even more climatic when after getting on the plane they offered $1000 instead of $400. Ahh! Why didn’t I take it! That is half of my monthly salary. Unbelievable.

The void of missing seven hours while sitting on a plane is a strange feeling, as we followed the sun around the world. I spent the majority of the void writing and avoided reading Crime and Punishment for the fifth day in a row. My writing has definitely taken priority on this vacation.

Two gentlemen picked us up from the airport, and I felt pretty awake the entire time. The drive from Denver to Colorado Springs felt short. I really didn’t want Monday to come. Jena had heard that it was snowing… and our immediate hope was for a snow day. But, of course, no snow had accumulated. Unpacking became the first immediate goal. My mind began to create to-do lists and when I got around to checking my voicemail my inbox was full. That was a first. There were a ton of messages… some that were exciting… and some that brought on new to-do lists.

When I crawled into bed that night, after showering and putting things in their place, I felt like I was still in France, though I noticed the amazing comfort of my bed. My venture into the mysterious closet of Paris is officially complete… now I only need to organize my photos and scrapbook pages to bring closure to the week.

Would I go back? Yes. Will I learn to speak French first? Yes. Is it the most romantic city in the world? Not yet… but maybe next time!