Well, we survived the trip. It was hot and rainy, which had the humidity at roughly 400 %. The event was spread out over 3-4 buildings (Georgia World Congress Center, The Georgia Dome, The CNN Building and the Omni Hotel). and the amount of walking was brutal. This picture is from the Georgia Dome during the flag ceremony. 86 countries were represented. As you can see, it was a LOT of people. Estimates are between 59-65,000 sober alcoholics, getting together for some fun.
After being there the first 2 days, and walking, walking, walking, I spent Saturday in the motel room with my legs elevated on pillows and ice packs on my knees. I couldn't get a wheel chair or a scooter because they were all reserved. And mostly because when I registered, I refused to label myself "handicapped/special needs". If I get to go to Detroit in 2020, I will not make that mistake twice. My ego got it's ass kicked. I can still barely walk and am hobbling around like I'm 102.
I had a great time, all in all. It was almost impossible to find people, tho we did run into a group of young women from here in the International Hospitality Suite. And I got to see my 2 friends from California that I haven't seen in 20 + years--we had lunch on Sunday after the closing ceremony and before we left to head home. Also caught up with my old pal Viv from NC--completely accidentally--she was volunteering at the registration table. She lives in GA now.
It will take until 2020 to recuperate lol. I'm still so tired it's unreal. Of course, we've kinda been on the run since we got back home. But I need a break and plan to stay home and chill tomorrow.
Still raining here. And today the temps barely made it past 69 degrees. IN JULY !!!!! The garden may be a bust. I have 2 ft tall tomato plants that have tomatoes the size of baseballs on them ! Everything is over run with weeds. The lettuce looks really good though, lol If we don't get some hot sunny days soon, we will be screwed. This weather is so crazy...
I woke up tired this morning and am going to make it an early night. Hopefully I'll get caught up on my rest soon so I can manage to get something done. It's white clumps of dog hair season here. I cannot, I must not let it get out of control. My friend fell and broke her foot/ankle (?) in 3 places last week. Had to have surgery and had 11 pins put in. She will be in a wheelchair for 10 weeks. I'm going over with lunch Friday and we'll have a girls afternoon. Bless her heart...and they just bought a new house and are closing in 2 weeks. She can't even help pack.
OK kiddos--- I am outta here. Sweet dreams...
Namaste.
4 comments:
Good you're back Annie -- I had to learn the same lesson with international airports and escalators. I don't think of myself as visually impaired but risk falling if I use escalators --- so if I tell staff I have limited depth vision, lifts are opened and I can be escorted.
Hope you're mobile and out of pain now.
My knees seem to be better than they were there for awhile. I know how it is when you can barely walk because of them, though. I'm so glad it was a success, even if you did get so tuckered out. Thanks for sharing the event, Annie. :-)
Mary...it's been rough. lol I'm sure it will keep getting better. If it doesn't I'll have to take drastic measures !! We had such a great time and I'm really glad I went. Detroit in 2020 !!
DJan, this knee business may be some of the worst pain I have ever had. I have severe arthritis in them both and almost no cartilage left in one. I need replacements, but keep trying to hold off...
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