There's a lot of mixed emotions with this trip but I still have been really looking forward to it. We planned it before I had any idea I would be getting a divorce. The specific ship was even my ex-husband's idea. Hence the mixed feelings as I ride the shuttle alone and begin writing this blog.
Every three or four years my family likes to take a cruise together. We have found it a great way to leave plenty of room for space and autonomy yet still find so many moments to come together. This year's trip is a Canada/New England back-to-back cruise between Boston and Quebec City on Holland America's Zuiderdam. Twenty years ago this month, I was married on the Zuiderdam.
But that's enough background, my journey began today. I worked a full day of work and then scootered home to collect my belongings. It poured the entire scooter ride home - rivers flowing in the streets and on the sidewalks, rain pelting my face and obscuring my vision, clothes drenched and dripping. If you know me well, you know I absolutely love the rain so there was a smile on my face and a laughter rising within me the entire scooter ride home. This was a healing rain and just what I needed to wash away the grief preparing for this trip had brought up.
The driver was prompt, quickly loaded my suitcases and I climbed in and took the back row. There were only three of us passengers on this shuttle. It dropped me off at the domestic terminal of the Atlanta Airport. Booking this shuttle was the best choice I made. I got to sit back and let someone else drive while I blogged and surfed the internet. And with me being the last passenger they picked up (although it may not always work that way), it didn't take any longer than if I had driven myself!
From the domestic terminal I walked to the ATL Skytrain and took it one stop to the Gateway Center where my hotel was located. I stayed at the Tru by Hilton Atlanta Airport College Park. I had checked in on the app and requested a digital key and since my room was ready, I was able to walk right past the front desk to my room. My room is really nice and I have a view of the Skytrain!
I found the Delta counters and printed my luggage tag, dropped off my luggage and headed to security. None of the lines seemed very long so as the people in front of me went left, I went right and found myself in a line with no wait at all. I didn't have to remove my laptop, none of my bags got pulled for an extra screening, and I didn't get pulled aside for a pat down so it really couldn't have gone smoother.
I decided to walk to terminal A instead of taking the plane train and found myself stopping to admire an exhibit of Zimbabwe art. A series of sculptures were lined up down the middle of the walkway and some beautiful photography hung on the walls.
Right near my gate was a bagel shop where I bought some coffee and a bagel for breakfast and sat down to wait. The flight was a full flight so they asked for at least 20 volunteers to check their carryon as there would not be room for everyone's. Not having to lug my rolling carryon onto the plane and lift into an overhead compartment was appealing, so I removed my Grandma's quillo to carry with me and got my bag tagged.
I had a window seat right near where they loaded the bags so got to see both my bags get loaded.
We were able to take off a few minutes early and the flight had free wifi so I took advantage of the time to continue my blogs. And I discovered they have oat milk to add to your coffee!
By the time I made it to baggage claim, my first bag was making its way around the conveyer belt. Once I had both bags, I stepped outside just as the SL1 bus was pulling up. It's free from the airport so I could just step on through any open door, stow my luggage and take a seat. A few stops later, we were arriving at Silver Lane Way, where I got off and walked the few blocks to my hotel.
My goal was to explore the Boston Commons and Public Garden despite the high heat and humidity. I thought about catching a bus but wondered what I would miss compared to walking so I headed out on foot.
I then continued on to the Public Gardens.
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| I just love this mural that you can see from blocks away because it is so colorful! |
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| I was hot, thirsty, and ready to be done walking by this point and then I saw the name of my hotel on a building ahead - though the number of blocks between me and that building was a bit deceiving. |
Not too long after, my sister's flight landed and she made her way to the hotel. I met her and the rest of her family at the entrance. It had been a long time since I had seen them. After getting them checked in and settled, we had dinner at Lord Hobo Boston across the street.
