December 29, 2003

The long plane rides home.

We had an interesting time getting through the initial security checks, being told that the olive oil and olives we were bringing from Zababdeh were not allowed by Lufthansa - more because of the mess than anything else. We spoke with the security chief, who promised to get someone from the airlines to explain their policy to us. When no such person materialized, he let us pass with this advice: "When you get up to the gate, you'll have to go through security again. Tell them Lufthansa said it was OK. Also, put the bottles in bags from the Duty Free shops so they look like something you bought there." We did the latter but didn't need to do the former and got through just fine.

We changed planes two more times, arriving in Lubbock a good twenty four hours later and a good forty hours after we had last seen a bed. We were met by Elizabeth's mother and brother, who were as relieved as we were to be back. They gathered us and our things and took us home where hearty stew and warm beds awaited us. ilhamdillah as-salaame. Thank God for our safe arrival.