I just ate an entire small baguette smothered in Nutella. Is that a good way to start a blog? I dont know how to blog, but I feel like I should since Im in Europe and Europeans do cool artsy things like blog. So here I am, making this up. I guess I should tell the whole story from the beginning, probably more for my sake so that I can erase it from my memory. So here we go I suppose:
The deal was, Madison was flying to Charlotte on Tuesday, we would sleep and wake up to go to the airport in the morning to meet Sally and get on our way. The whole process of sending off our passports to recieve our visas had already been a pain, but we were pretty sure that it would work out. Indeed, while Madison is en-route to Charlotte, we get an email that says we will not be able to fly out on Wednesday because our Visas had not been sent from the consulate. This was pretty disappointing. Before we were gonna fly to New York and meet all of our fellow abroad students and travel with them, however, it wasnt going to happen. Super.
So plan B, we immediately got on the phone with everyone we could trying to reschedule our flights, after listening to way too many bad eighties songs while on hold with airlines, and trying to work it out so that it would not cost 4 fortunes to change a flight that soon, we got it worked out. Indeed we would fly out of Charlotte, on Thursday, a day later than we wanted but it was gonna work this time. So we wasted time in Charlotte for the day and then got everything packed and ready for Thursday. Thursday morning, Sally was going to go to HPU to pick up our freshly delivered passports and visas. Sally texted me soon there after and told me that my passport did not have my visa sticker inside of it. Perfect. Madison and Sally both had their stickers but I did not. I was approved yes, I had the sheet of paper stamped by the consulate. But I DID NOT HAVE MY VISA. But it was going to be ok, surely I could just get on the plane right? I would just get on and deal with the Visa later, I could send it back once I got into the country. Ok so its ok, everything is going to be ok. Madison and I zip our bags and wait till its time to leave for the airport. Ten minutes before we are supposed to leave, I kid you not. Ten minutes. I get a call, and hear that I am not going to be able to fly out of Charlotte, I dont have my visa so they wont let me into the country. So not only am I really really upset at this point, im pretty furious that my trip that has been booked for months and months is being dangled in front of my face like when carriage drivers used to dangle a carrot in front of their horse to make them go. (Am I making that up? I feel like ive read it or seen it on something) Anyways, my carrot had been snatched out from my sight too much. My mother went bananas and insisted that I be able to board the flight. We were already missing orientation, this was gonna be rough if I had to fly alone later in the week because the Consulate forgot to put my sticker in my Visa.
Fast forward, I feel like im rambling so Ill shorten the next part of the story as best I can:) I end up crying my eyes out for the millionth time that week, and then deciding to just get on the plane. The worst that could happen is that I would get to Munich and have to turn around and come home, but there was a slight possibility that I could make it. So i took the chance. Said a teary goodbye to my bestest friend in the whole world and got in the line for security. We fly to Munich, eat some really great (not actually that great) plane food but do get some of those cool warm lemon wipes or whatever they are for your hands. That was a plus. We make it to Munich, get in line for customs. Im shaking. Sweating. Itching the sides of my head from the mysterious foam headphones we got from the flight attendant. I approach the desk with two German, armed police men (in my head right now there is horror movie music playing) He asks me a bunch of questions about why im going to Italy, how long I will be there, who Im staying with, when Im coming home. To all of these questions what do I tell him? Blatant lies. I dont usually lie, but in this case, I think it had to happen. He gave me a squinty eye and stamped my passport. I then ran to our next gate, hoping he wasnt coming after me.
So we fly again, this time with a bit more turbulence, a couple of instances of vomiting on the plane, but at this point. Nothing is going to stop us from at least getting to Italy. We get there. We leave. It was that simple there was no customs, I didnt have to lie again hooray!!
So we get a taxi to our school, fill out a bunch of boring paperwork, make our way to our ghetto and not very well heated apartment, but hey, we made it. After that, there were a few meltdowns, but its ok
So here we are, eating bread and nutella like pre-biggest loser contestants would. But weve walked approximately 3000 miles today. I think its ok:) Now I will go shower for the first time in two days, and take off the socks that have been on my feet for that long as well. Even after the immense amount of drama that occurred in the process of getting here and even after we arrived. Its such a blessing that we are here, safe, behind three different locked doors, on an adventure like none other. Im hoping that every blog thing I make wont be this long. I apologize for the wordiness, if thats a word. Goodnight Italy, and Good afternoon America (so crazy). Ill be in touch.
ps I miss my Michael
No comments:
Post a Comment