This weekend, Hubs and I took a bus trip to Chicago with the Cauldron. (That’s the supporters’ organization for Sporting KC.)

It was our first group trip ever, other than mission trips in high school, and our first bus trip. We traveled there with Wyatt’s brother, and some friends, but also a lot of people we didn’t know at all. It was 20+ hours on the bus from Saturday morning at 12:30 am to 10:30 Sunday night. Yikes.

And on this crazy whirlwind trip, I learned a lot. Naturally, I thought you guys would want to know all about it, so here goes.

1. I am not a die hard fan. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan and I love to watch the boys in blue play soccer, win or lose, but I’m not the kind of fan that screams until I’m totally without a voice, drinks until I’m in a crazed stupor, and curses as loud as I can when the ref makes a call against us. Being surrounded by several hundred fans like that for 2 days straight was a little much for me I think. I’m not saying I like the team any less, or the people, but… okay, maybe I like some of the people a little less.

2. Soccer is a heart-breaking, awesome sport. I’m fond of saying that one of reasons I like to play is because, unlike softball, which I played for years and years, teamwork is a lot more important. When I made an error at shortstop, let’s say, a ball bounced past me, or I dropped a throw from the catcher, it was all my fault, and no one was there to save me. With soccer, there’s usually someone there for me to pass to or someone to get the ball if I completely whiff it. Still, when one person does make a bad error, let’s say an own-goal, or a bad tackle that results in a PK. Yikes. Heartbreaking.

3. Ten-plus hours on a bus isn’t fun. They’d be more fun if we had electrical plugs and wi-fi like we were promised, but since we didn’t have those things, it was a rough ride. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to mind cramped quarters with my honey, but I do mind the uncomfortable ways we tried to sleep during the early-morning hours. Ouch.

4. I don’t enjoy trips where every moment is planned out for me. We rushed to spend our few hours of free time by walking downtown in a group to get some pizza (which I didn’t even really want) just because we felt it’s what we should do while we were there. Then, we had to wait for a bus to the game, wait for a bus back, get up early to wait for a bus the next morning…you get the idea. Road trips with Hubs are much more fun when we can choose to stop at an antique store whenever we see one, and stay in bed longer when we’re sleepy…and stop for a restroom break whenever nature calls.

5. Spending time with a group of people that share a common interest is an exciting way to spend time. Hundreds of people that all desperately want to see a victory is a pretty moving thing to be a part of. And when that victory doesn’t happen, it’s a little hard to take. Even though the after-loss pep talks were also pretty moving when I think back. Plus, sharing the team spirit and excitement for the team was a fun honor. It’s a special lifestyle that I certainly appreciate even if I’m not as hardcore.

6. Home is really where the heart is. Looking for a house and being so frustrated by what we’ve found, I’ve began to question how homey our apartment really is. (Don’t freak out, I realize it’s crazy since it IS home.) But when we were away, staying in a hotel room and on a bus with no privacy, standing in the cold rain in the Windy City, home never felt so far away or looked so good. Other than our parents’ houses and a few other nights with friends or family, it was the first time we’ve been away from home since our honeymoon. I’m excited to travel more in the next few months and years, but coming home is something that’s oh-so-sweet for so many reasons, no matter if it’s an apartment or a dream home…someday.

So, last night, we celebrated. By eating meatloaf and rolls in our skivvies. (Reason #45 why husband roommates are the best.) Ah…home.

What about you? What did you do this weekend? What did you learn? What’s your best and worst lessons learned on your best or worst vacation?