Leaving for now…

Day of departure. In the morning at breakfast the TV was on as usual and the only thing they spoke about was the Government Shutdown. Now the population had start revolting across the States since families to soldiers killed in combat didn’t get their payment. So, people had started collect money meaning that these families shouldn’t need to worry about how to pay rent or for food now when they had lost a family member in battle. And all federal employees stayed at home since they also didn’t get paid, which affected us as tourists. We missed visiting the Statue of Liberty and other attractions in Washington D.C. But there wasn’t much we could do about the situation.

Then we packed our baggage. We had managed to fill up our new suitcases we bought here in New York with clothes and shoes so we felt very pleased. We checked out from the hostel. We could still put our baggage in the reception until we had to leave. So, we went out checking the streets of New York one last time. Then we took the tube to Jamaica and from there we took the Air Train to JFK Int’l Airport. Since we had booked different flights back home, we got off at different terminals. I had to wait for another 30 minutes until the check-in opened. I passed the security check and then I had to wait for like 2 hours until boarding. So, I bought something to eat and bought water before I could board the flight. The flight took off at 8.40pm and as usual I got a seat with a lot of over energetic kids and young adults that wouldn’t sleep. But I could only plug my ears and try my best to get some kind of sleep. The aircraft landed at Keflavik Int’l Airport on Iceland at 6.15am local time. I had like an hour to change flight and then it took off towards Stockholm and Arlanda Airport. So, at 12.30pm I was finally standing on Swedish ground again. Picked up my baggage and took the train back home. I’m so glad I had a pre-booked cab waiting for me at the train station taking me home to the door now when I had to large suitcases to handle.

Summarizing the trip, I must say it was an amazing trip! The western riding was great. Nice horses, lovely staff and amazing nature. And New York… what can I say? I LOVE IT! The people in the streets, the attractions, memorials, patriotism and kindness of the citizens… what else is there to expect? Only negative thing was the Government Shutdown that affected us tourists. But on the other hand, that means I still have things left to see in New York – so I have to get back again