Got up early and threw the last things in my suitcase. I had to add my running clothes as they were not dry from the previous evening. It started raining on the way home so they were soaked when I got back to the apartment.

I locked up the Airbnb and walked over to where I could catch the Navette bus to the airport. It is super convenient as the bus stop is about 10-15 minute walk from the Airbnb and then 20 minutes at the most to the airport. The cost is 9.00 euros for the bus – it is not distance pricing as the Metro here in DC but flat rate.

I checked in for the flights and then headed for the gate. I stopped and had my final breakfast in Toulouse, chocolate chaud and chocolatine while waiting for the flight to Frankfurt.

I had a long layover in Frankfurt as I did not want to try to catch the early flight out of Toulouse but being spoiled and splurging, I had booked business class so I could use the Business Class Lounge in Frankfurt. I hung out and had two glasses of rose champagne and some snacks. Nice thing about going business class in Europe is they give you food no matter how short the flight so I had early lunch on the flight.

The flight from Frankfurt to Dulles was on time and uneventful. I always order the special Asian vegetarian meal as it seems to be the best option. As usual it turned out to be quite good. I watched the French movie version of the Count of Monte Cristo. It was excellent and 2 hours and 18 minutes so consumed a good part of the flight. I read and slept the rest of the time.

The Global Entry mobile app makes entering the US through Customs incredibly easy. I am glad I downloaded the app and used it. You take a picture of yourself on your phone and answer questions. Once your arrive a Customs, you go through a special line. It took me all of may 4 minutes to enter the US. The regular lines were long as usual as multiple flights arrive from overseas around the same time. The normal Global Entry seems quick but you had to take your picture and answer the questions at a kiosk before you can proceed.

Since I am frugal except for business class flights, I took public transportation back to my house. I was lucky and the metro gods were looking out for me as the waits for the two metro lines were short and the wait for the bus was not too long. The Metro bus driver was fantastic as I called for a stop as we were nearing the designated stop and she asked me if I wanted to get off a block before the regular stop. This was great as it saved a block walk.

I got home and being the OCD person I was, I could not go to bed without unpacking my suitcases. Mostly that meant just throwing clothes in the laundry basket for laundry. I put away the things that did not need to go in the laundry. Took a quick shower and went to bed.

Now it is back to Alexandria life and not Toulouse life. It will be an adjustment but it will be good to see friends!

I am not sure how much I will be posting until I return to Toulouse in September. I will keep posting if something fun or interesting happens but not sure the daily life in Alexandria is that interesting and needs to be recorded for posterity. I found that the longer I was in Toulouse, the less interesting and long the posts became as I began to follow the routine of life and the normal everyday life. I kept posting as it is a diary of my life and travels that I can use to remember these times when I can no longer do them.