Flying back to Quito takes most of a day'; either an uncomfortable red eye, or a day on the road. I resign myself to the journey, and I find myself busy and absorbed all the way, so it is not too painful. I am exhausted and exhilarated after the crazy week; I worked over 60 hours in five days!
I am so lucky to be at Emily's. I slept well, had lots of privacy up in the attic, and felt very much at home. I repacked in the morning, trying to leave as much behind as I could, but still found myself with an oversized bag and too much cash. Eric had urged me not to arrive in Quito with $900 in 20's and 10's, so on our way to the airport, we stopped at the nearby Starbuck's and bank. I deposited most of the money, and met a friend of Emily's whose child was in Nathan's class at school. Only after I shook hands and explained that I lived in Ecuador, did I realize that I knew the woman, that I had seen her and treated her in my practice some years ago. I said nothing, as if I did not recognize her, and she likely remembered me, so it was a strange experience. I am trying to remember who the busboy at the restaurant last night was from; was he a patient? Did I know him from yoga? Was he a barista at Starbucks? I know that I know him, but cannot figure it out. I wondered if this is what happens when one moves away, or was it my early dementia?
I was worried that my flight was not really booked, since I had asked for the change late at night after our long delay Sunday night. But there was no problem and I was ready at my gate in good time. I had internet for a few minutes at the airport, and downloaded some books to read, and was swept up in the Trojan war for the trip to Houston. I read when I travel, perhaps that is why I love to travel, since I have so little time to read in my other life. On the other hand, I am free for the next three weeks to do as I wish, which may include reading, although I get so busy in my Ecuador life, that I have little free time anyway.
People ask me what I do in Ecuador, and I don't know what to answer, since I have no idea yet what my purpose is. So far, my energies have been devoted to getting our lives organized in our new apartment, but I don't have that excuse anymore, and ought to direct my energies to interesting pursuits. I wonder how my sisters manage to have day after day open and free to do anything at all for years and years and years; I am 35 years behind, having studied and worked and parented and taken care of so many people since medical school. I am not worried about this new approach to life, I just am appreciating the wonder at it all.
I wanted to catch up on my Coursera courses on History and Mythology, but was frustrated with the lack of internet in Houston. There is a way to get free internet after listening to an ad, but Boingo interrupted me each time. An ex 'agent' sat near me and talked about his son who is a successful musician and suffering through a divorce with a difficult ex-wife. He had much to tell me, and I was too polite to cut him off (being a psychiatrist encourages people to tell me far too much). Somehow the four hours between flights was shrunken to less than two, and duty free shopping and a search for healthy food took much of the rest of my wait. I finally listened to a couple lectures on my iPhone, and was incredibly excited about the beginning lines of the Odyssey, before announcements were made for boarding. I had hoped for internet on the flight, but none was available.
Instead, I read some more on my iPhone until it was dead, watched a little TV, avoided reading the 40 page real estate contract that I must review, and daydreamed.
I think I can do this, the back and forth to Baltimore. I liked seeing my patients, and paying my bills, spending time with Emily (next time I will see more friends and work less intensely). I look forward to Quito and the adventures we are likely to have, and in three weeks I will be back at Emily's, plunging into work and my Baltimore life again. I was not sure this would work, but it is working and I feel optimistic.
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