The trip home is all a blur.

After a bittersweet final goodbye to my managers, a delay in departure from Warsaw.

I was seated on a row with two ladies of about my age - one Polish, one Ukraine. We conversated with smiles and gestures. At one point it hit me - OMG, I'm the same age as these ladies, and they know it... but I didn't!!! God! The flight was really turbulent and at one point I grabbed the hand of the Polish lady next to me.

Passport control at JFK was quick (Terminal 7) but baggage took forever. I don't recall Customs... My 3 liters of vodka came through unscathed. Was unable to check my bags for my 6:30am American flight to CLT until 3am and then TSA opened at 3:30 (Terminal 8)...

I snoozed while waiting to board and snoozed the entire way to CLT.

Upon arrival in CLT I got the perfect airport pickup, and Big American Breakfast.

... It's a thing of beauty!