“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have
And step into the darkness of the unknown
Believe that one of the two will happen to you
Either you’ll find something solid to stand on
Or you’ll be taught how to fly!”
--Richard Bach
Kansas City International Airport
12:15 pm May 22, 2011
I finished packing this morning and immediately left for the airport. Of course, that meant that my morning was full of chaos, finding all of the last minute belongings I had forgotten to pack the day before. And by forgotten, I mean that I didn’t feel like packing the day before. However, there was a moment during this chaos when I stopped and thought, “How different will I be in a few months? When I have to repack everything, what will I be feeling?” It was one of those thoughts that I can see myself reflecting on at the end of my trip.
On my way downstairs with my bags, I was greeted on three occasions (in my five person household) of “Is that all you are taking?” I have been planning my packing for a couple weeks now, and I think that I am bringing a reasonable amount. In fact, the only person who didn’t mention my lack of luggage was my mom, who I had discussed extensively my packing plans. To give you a sense of my baggagelessness, I could have carried on both of my bags. I have a duffel bag and a large purse. Both are fairly full, but they are not stuffed. I am very proud of my packing abilities. I am travelling before and after my program, so it was crucial that I not overpack.
Chicago O’Hare Airport
3:00 pm May 22
Regardless of how well I packed, travel is full of the unexpected. For example, I was supposed to meet Alicia in the Chicago airport (where I am now sitting). She was catching a flight from Cincinnati, while I left Kansas City. Her flight, which had a tighter connection than mine, was delayed. It currently isn’t supposed to land until after our next flight leaves. If the current schedule persists, which depending on weather may or may not, I will be on a flight to Brussels and Budapest on my own. I don’t know what might happen to her. Flexibility when facing the unknown: necessary.
The Steam Engine, London, England
11:00 pm May 24
I am now relatively settled in London after a day in Budapest. In the past three days, I have seen seven different airports in five different countries. The end result of all of my travel: Alicia and I showed up in Budapest separately. Both of us were late. Both of us were without our bags. Alicia had to rebook many times due to delays and missed flights. My flight in Chicago was delayed, causing me to miss my direct flight to Budapest. Instead, I was sent through Munich. The airline rebooked everyone’s flights, and I was the only one who didn’t have a physical ticket waiting for me right off the plane. It wasn’t too bad, but I was flying blindly for a few hours. I finally made it to Budapest, where I realized that my bag didn’t. I walked out of customs after finishing all of the paperwork for my bag to see Liz sitting there! It was such a welcoming site. We all had dinner and a nice stroll along the Danube after visiting Liz’s Kollegium. There were plenty of gorgeous bridges and beautiful churches along the way.
We woke this morning to find that my bag had arrived at Liz’s dorm, but Alicia’s was still missing. As of now her bag has been located, but that is a lot of progress from this morning. Hopefully it will meet us in London before we leave for Dublin. Liz finished packing, and we said goodbye to Budapest.
We are now in London in this cute little hostel/pub called the Steam Engine. We experienced an incredibly crowded Underground with all of our luggage and the quintessential fish and chips dinner. The sights of London included a “Got milk?” ad on the side of a double decker bus with Rupert Grint, some aluminum foil-looking stuff on the side of a building saying “I have been loved,” and an incredibly drunk guy trying to ride a bike but falling to the ground. All in one afternoon. What a crazy couple days in Europe!
