A Tale of Two Homecomings - Part 1
Oct. 5, 2011
I just arrived back in Star City Russia after two and a half weeks home in Houston.
At the end of the trip from Kazakhstan to Houston, I was greeted by a wonderful welcome home from friends and neighbors in Nassau Bay, Texas. As we crossed into the city of Nassau Bay, a police car, police motorcycle and fire truck greeted us for a slow speed escort to my home, complete with lights and sirens.
There was a great turnout, and the Garan house was decorated with welcome home banners and one hundred sixty four American flags - one for each day I spent in space on the mission.
The heart-warming welcome was really wonderful after so much time away. It was great to be home!
Return to Star City
As I write this, I have flown back to Moscow, battled the Moscow traffic, and I'm now sitting in the cottage in Star City where I lived for about fifty percent of the time over the two and a half years of training for my mission to the International Space Station.
The NASA cottages in Star City during my training.
Tomorrow I will start the debrief process with the instructors and administration here in Star City. On Friday Sasha, Andrey and I will participate in the Star City Welcome Home ceremonies that signify the successful completion of our mission.
I am really looking forward to seeing all my friends, and the wonderful people here in Star City, and thanking them for all their support during our mission.
Other posts by this author
- To Be Continued ...
- One Young World Summit - The Key Is We
- Moonshot
- Why Should We Spend Money on Space Exploration When We Have So Many Problems Here on Earth?
- Guardians of Earth
- Do 1 Thing Day - July 20, 2012
- The Orbital Perspective of Nicholas Kristof
- An Invitation to Participate in the International Space Apps Challenge
- LAUNCHing Ideas for a Waste-less Tomorrow
- We Get to Carry Each Other
Oct. 5, 2011
Kelton B.
Wishing you a pleasant and efficient work trip and reunion with friends. You take part of each of us with you everywhere you go.
Oct. 5, 2011
@Unicorn36 M.
Remember to make a memory hugs xxx
Oct. 5, 2011
Jason M.
Welcome Home Ron and enjoy your time in Star City! Looks like a nice home over there!
Oct. 5, 2011
Elyse David
Battling traffic? Now that's an earthly experience!
Oct. 5, 2011
Peter C.
You surely befriend with the crew mates when spending so much time with them before and being close to them during the 6 months. For meeting them again down here an experience that you had not had in space: traffic jam. Have a safe travel and lot of fun with your friends.
Oct. 6, 2011
sweetgazer 1.
Despite your probably being homesick after such a long time away, I'm glad you are back with Sasha and Andrey for a while. It seemed odd to me that after such an intense companionship you were so abruptly separated from your buddies.
Oct. 7, 2011
Anubhav N.
I always think how its look like when one return to his or her home with full of sucess,its seems so energatic,it look like our whole hard work came at result which is front of me.
and this what i am with my own poem which i created
Growing Seed Makes
NO SOUND,
But
Falling Tree Makes
HUGE NOISE
Destruction Has Noise,
Creation Is Always Quiet ,
This Is The Power Of SILENCE.
and one day i also be same as know you most most respectful person for me.you are my hero and thank you to be creating very very optimistic site for your next generation.$$$sir$$$
Oct. 9, 2011
Nikolaos M.
Quite interesting. Thanks for all the great photos, and videos.
My favorite was the space station blues.
Bringing the band back?
Haha.
Thank you sir,
Nick
Oct. 11, 2011
Victor Z.
Thank you Ron, for an interesting story. I remember at school start date of Yuri Gagarin, and then I went and was aeronautical engineering, and later became an investigator. And now I and my 11-year-old son fall in love with aviation and everything connected with the cosmos. Good luck and health to you and your family, Ron.