The long journey

Hello Everyone!

I am here, in Ireland anyways, awaiting my flight to Paris. My first view of Ireland was very misty and farmlandish- I suppose this isn’t too much of a surprise. My flight from Chicago to Dublin was very successful; it even came in early. I watched remember me on the TVs they had on the backs of the seats and also played some solitaire and hangman on it as well. They fed us a multi-part dinner, which I wasn’t expecting. It had a salad, cheese, chicken, rice, vegetables, a breadstick and cheesecake. In addition to this they had the normal pretzel and pop deal. It got dark pretty quickly and I enjoyed watching the moon until they made me close the shade. Of course I had to pick the window seat above the wing so my view was rather obstructed. Then later when I peeked in the shade and could see the pretty shades of dawn we were given croissants with ham and cheese and some orange juice. I was still full from the previous meal considering I hadn’t done anything but sit there, but I ate it anyways because I figured I will need the strength for the remaining flight and train ride ahead. I’m pretty tired because even though it is 8:40 here, it is 3:40 back home. I really wish that I had the Internet, I am very lonely traveling by myself and can’t wait to see Jessica and Paola’s familiar faces when my travels are through.

I did meet two travel companions of sorts, which helped a bit. I ended up sitting next to an old Irish man. Although I wasn’t sure what to say at first, I knew that he probably had some interesting stories, so we chatted. His name was Aiden and he was from the northern part of Ireland although he had been practicing dentistry in the U.S. long enough to marry, raise a family and retire. He has taught at many universities and was also a dean of students at a college of which I can’t remember the name. He told me that one of his sons is a vet and that they rescued an abandoned kitten who didn’t even have his eyes opened yet. They had to nurse it and clean off fly eggs from its fur. Poor thing! I was very happy to hear that she had grown into a beautiful cat with long Whiskers and a long tail J  He was also very friendly in sharing his European experiences and reassuring my doubts and travel worries. He also bought two bottles of red wine, scotch and another drink for the flight. It was a seven-hour flight, but still. Haha. I enjoyed having someone for conversation on the way over. He told me a travel parable of sorts:

     There was a man who was very impatient to get to his flight destination on time. He was demanding of the flight attendants that he must be at his meeting by 10 a.m. and that he was all ready and the delay was unacceptable. Once he was helped and gone another person came and commented on how rude the man was and how they should not have let him treat them like that. They replied saying that the man would be at his meeting on time, but his luggage would be in Hong Kong.

    

I thought it was amusing anyways and a good thing to remember- I certainly felt better with my luggage by my side even though it was a pain to lug it around! There were some French people close by as well, I was a little disappointed that they spoke so fast I could only catch a few words. The other person I met was another study abroad student heading for the Netherlands. Apparently he extended his graduation date so that he could do it. He was friendly and we found our respective flight connections and went through security and customs together. I have my first stamp in my passport book! Who cares if I am only here in Ireland for three hours? My passport is marked! Haha. I hope to come back here at some point during my stay anyways.


I liked seeing a sunrise and a sunset in one flight!

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Now I am writing from Paola's house. Here is the rest of my journey!

My next flight was to Paris and I was surrounded by about twenty very loud French teenagers. They were all coming back from Ireland and had huge Leprechaun hats on. When we landed in Paris one of them shouted "Vivre la France" and they all replied with the same. Then they started different chants and songs. I wasn't expecting it at all. I would have liked to have chatted with the teenagers next to me, but they were a couple and were making out the whole time. So I just looked out the window and tried to eavesdrop to practice my French. haha

While trying to find my baggage, I befriended an older Australian man who was touring Europe. My bags was one of the last ones to arrive of course! Then we went to find the train which was not so easy. Once we found the place I couldn't print my ticket on the Kiosk and had to wait in a huge line to get help. I was really worried about missing my train, but in reality I had plenty of time. After I got my ticket I learned how non-explicit the ticket was and had no idea where to go. I was lucky enough to find three New Zealander women who had brought their bikes with them to do a tour who were also on their way to Avignon. We had to wait until twenty minutes before the train arrived to learn where the platform was so then we hurried to it and to find the letter which corresponded to the car that we were in. (They were in the same car as well! I felt lucky) It was nice to tag along with them and let them take charge! By the time I was on the train I could barely keep my eyes open. I was trying to stay awake to watch my stuff but I ended up tying my purse around myself and wrapping my legs around my backpack with the zipper towards me and nodding on and off. I tried writing, chewing gum and whatever else I could but I was getting to my 32nd hour of travel and I was exhausted. When I got off the train Paola was right there and what a relief. We drove back to her house with Jessica. Once there Paola's mom had made us dinner of a pasta type. It was no surprise that we had bread and cheese with it as well.

Paola's mom doesn't speak much English, so I tried to speak what I could. It was fun and a very nice environment to start trying. After being with people I knew and being able to relax I found that I was awake once more. We went for a dip in her pool, I skyped with my parents and Dennis and then we went off to bed. It took me forever to fall asleep which is the opposite of what I expected!

Before departure

Waiting at the airport in Dublin

My plane!

Quotes

My flight connection