So... I'm laying in a hotel bed in Phili. What? you wonder. Why? you ask. Well... Let me tell you a little tale about friday the 13th, airports, and one certain Erin trying to get back to Minnesota. Our story begins here-
A emotionally fragile (and sleep-deprived) Erin woke up the morning of friday the 13th at 6:30, brushed her teeth, changed, and looked around at the room where she'd lived for three months. Hard to imagine leaving. She made one last facebook post and fit the last of her things into the over-stuffed backpack that had become a travel companion of late while reminiscing and trying to decide how to feel. Running late, she hurriedly said goodbye to her middle sister who was leaving for work and quickly scarfed down a breakfast before bidding the youngest sister goodbye as she walked out the door with her host mom and dad. At the bottom of the stairs her dad opened the door and said "adios". As she hugged her host dad goodbye and walked out the door the last time, the tears she thought wouldn't come, came. Walking to the bus with her host mom amid the Segovian streets- lanterns lit- with the mountains surrounding and the usual view, but knowing that it would be the last time proved difficult. The tears came and stopped, different things triggering the emotions, until the last time she got to say "adios" a frantic regret filled her heart as she climbed onto the bus- forever to leave a piece of her heart behind. The waterworks were in full motion with almost everyone the entire way to Madrid. Once in Madrid, they all learned that the flight was late, but made the best of it. (This would later become one of the "what ifs".) The group checked their baggage and said goodbye to Ricardo before joining the security line. It was here that Erin made a very Erin-like mistake. First of all, the enormous turtle shell that she'd carried around the airport was met with the wide and annoyed eyes of the Spanish security officer as he told her "you have too much stuff" and they proceeded to go through it together- she, apologizing and awkwardly laughing as he pulled apart each pocket of her backpack, and he shaking his head in disbelief at the dumb american rubia who stuffed her backpack too full. Finally, with the backpack done, the violin (also stuffed) came through. His eyes said "really? REALLY? fine let's get this over with" and he asked if she had a clock in her case. She wanted to say, "no, it's a metronome." but how on earth could she say that in Spanish? Normally, just describe it or something. In the moment of rush she said "uh no, like a.... umm... tick tick tick! yeah? tick tick tick?" This moment two responses- a facepalm you're an idiot how could you say that?!- face from her friends standing next to her, and from the officer a pity smile with sarcasm as he mimicked her with a "yes, tick tick tick" as he rolled his eyes and smirked. "Whatever- right? Being thought a dumb american idiot is better than being thought a criminal right?" She thought. Well, they made it on their flight and sat down to watch 8 hours of complimentary movies and tv shows. This was all well and great, but Erin also had been having tailbone issues for a week prior and couldn't really even sit at this point. With plenty of distractions and advil, she got through it and soon they were all talking about landing on US soil. Upon landing, they dashed out of the plane and to customs. Not knowing if they would make it or not, it was a bit stressing for the line to move so slow- but customs themselves went quickly- and baggage claim took forever to spit out their suitcases. When the group had their suitcases in hand, they booked it for baggage check in and then to the gate and to security. With 10 minutes till the flight left, everyone was on edge. Erin, being the last in line with the group, threw on her belongings and clutching her violin to her chest, the three girls sprinted through the airport hallways. Upon arrival, they were told that they'd just closed the gate 3 minutes ago and it was the last flight of the night. So many ifs. If the madrid flight hadn't been late, if the baggage hadn't taken so long, if, if, if. But- when they went to customer service, they were given a shuttle to a night in a hotel and another two flights to Minnesota tomorrow. Supposing all goes well, they will leave Phili at 7:45 and after a connection in Chicago, arrive in Minnesota at 1:15pm Saturday. Although- along the time it took the unfortunate Erin to write this, recent developments show that there's a nasty winter snow storm right for the places and times that our flights are. Anyone want to spend Christmas in Phili with some American girls who can't leave???
A emotionally fragile (and sleep-deprived) Erin woke up the morning of friday the 13th at 6:30, brushed her teeth, changed, and looked around at the room where she'd lived for three months. Hard to imagine leaving. She made one last facebook post and fit the last of her things into the over-stuffed backpack that had become a travel companion of late while reminiscing and trying to decide how to feel. Running late, she hurriedly said goodbye to her middle sister who was leaving for work and quickly scarfed down a breakfast before bidding the youngest sister goodbye as she walked out the door with her host mom and dad. At the bottom of the stairs her dad opened the door and said "adios". As she hugged her host dad goodbye and walked out the door the last time, the tears she thought wouldn't come, came. Walking to the bus with her host mom amid the Segovian streets- lanterns lit- with the mountains surrounding and the usual view, but knowing that it would be the last time proved difficult. The tears came and stopped, different things triggering the emotions, until the last time she got to say "adios" a frantic regret filled her heart as she climbed onto the bus- forever to leave a piece of her heart behind. The waterworks were in full motion with almost everyone the entire way to Madrid. Once in Madrid, they all learned that the flight was late, but made the best of it. (This would later become one of the "what ifs".) The group checked their baggage and said goodbye to Ricardo before joining the security line. It was here that Erin made a very Erin-like mistake. First of all, the enormous turtle shell that she'd carried around the airport was met with the wide and annoyed eyes of the Spanish security officer as he told her "you have too much stuff" and they proceeded to go through it together- she, apologizing and awkwardly laughing as he pulled apart each pocket of her backpack, and he shaking his head in disbelief at the dumb american rubia who stuffed her backpack too full. Finally, with the backpack done, the violin (also stuffed) came through. His eyes said "really? REALLY? fine let's get this over with" and he asked if she had a clock in her case. She wanted to say, "no, it's a metronome." but how on earth could she say that in Spanish? Normally, just describe it or something. In the moment of rush she said "uh no, like a.... umm... tick tick tick! yeah? tick tick tick?" This moment two responses- a facepalm you're an idiot how could you say that?!- face from her friends standing next to her, and from the officer a pity smile with sarcasm as he mimicked her with a "yes, tick tick tick" as he rolled his eyes and smirked. "Whatever- right? Being thought a dumb american idiot is better than being thought a criminal right?" She thought. Well, they made it on their flight and sat down to watch 8 hours of complimentary movies and tv shows. This was all well and great, but Erin also had been having tailbone issues for a week prior and couldn't really even sit at this point. With plenty of distractions and advil, she got through it and soon they were all talking about landing on US soil. Upon landing, they dashed out of the plane and to customs. Not knowing if they would make it or not, it was a bit stressing for the line to move so slow- but customs themselves went quickly- and baggage claim took forever to spit out their suitcases. When the group had their suitcases in hand, they booked it for baggage check in and then to the gate and to security. With 10 minutes till the flight left, everyone was on edge. Erin, being the last in line with the group, threw on her belongings and clutching her violin to her chest, the three girls sprinted through the airport hallways. Upon arrival, they were told that they'd just closed the gate 3 minutes ago and it was the last flight of the night. So many ifs. If the madrid flight hadn't been late, if the baggage hadn't taken so long, if, if, if. But- when they went to customer service, they were given a shuttle to a night in a hotel and another two flights to Minnesota tomorrow. Supposing all goes well, they will leave Phili at 7:45 and after a connection in Chicago, arrive in Minnesota at 1:15pm Saturday. Although- along the time it took the unfortunate Erin to write this, recent developments show that there's a nasty winter snow storm right for the places and times that our flights are. Anyone want to spend Christmas in Phili with some American girls who can't leave???
Ah well, it's still a good story to tell forever. How our flight was on time, but we weren't on it... How we missed it by 3 minutes. THREE MINUTES!!!!! All the other students made it. Honestly, I can see the adventure in it, and ya know? the snow storm might delay or cancel our flights now too! but it'll be an adventure throughout, and I AM in America now! It's great to be back! Everyone speaks English- it's sooo weird. I keep saying "gracias" and "si" to all the people I don't know. It's conditioned in me now to think "someone I don't know-speak spanish". Ridiculous! Anyways, I'll keep ya posted! Adventures in the life, with God as the author. We'll see what happens next!