Where's Hugh?

I'm not even in India yet and the adventures have already begun. From when I checked into the airport and went through security to when I arrived at my gate, the sky in St. Louis had turned an ominous black. Soon afterwards, a voice over the PA system had instructed us to move away from the windows and stand in the middle of the hallway. Flights were being cancelled and luckily our was only delayed. Apparently there had been a tornado warning somewhere near and we only had a few minutes between this storm and the next one to get into the air. Luckily it was a small plane and we were taking off just as the next storm was coming in. Talk about an escape.

For the entire 1 1/2 hour flight to Toronto, I was plotting my step by step journey from the gate where we would land to the gate where I'd be leaving for my connection to London. Of course not knowing either of the gates, this proved challenging. I concluded it would be somewhat of a "U" shaped direction. I would have about 15 minutes to do this and just when I was building up the confidence that I could make my flight, I was handed a customs card. Hmm. Confidence blown. At this point, I lifted my fate to the flight gods and anxiously awaited for landing. Once we reached the tarmac, I waited "patiently" for some stairs. I overheard the flight attendant speak to an agent about my flight and it seems that there were a few of us on that flight that were trying to catch the same connection. He informed us that the airline was aware of our situation and can book us on the 11:20 flight if we don't make our flight. I bolted down the hallways and rushed through customs only to reach the gate about five minutes late. After collecting myself and catching my breath, I calmly walked to the customer service desk along with my fellow travelers and asked to be booked for the next flight. At least there was still a flight going out tonight. They even gave me a complimentary meal coupon. As I sat waiting, I started to take in my surroundings. This airport seemed like one of the airports in the movie Love Actually but instead of a heartwarming montage of hugs and smiles, a mini bag of chips cost six American dollars and Hugh Grant was nowhere in sight.

Luckily the flight was only half full and boarding was a breeze. Sadly, there was a family of five that took over two rows of the airplane. I had to watch the 11-year-old son watch T.V. in the middle of a three seat row while I tried to sleep in my two seat corner. At least I had two seats? I feel like that was negated when the 2-year-old kept crying just as I was beginning to fall asleep. The flight was quick and everything went smoothly until baggage claim. Now, I knew there would probably be an issue because of my flight change. The man at the lost baggage counter told me he was expecting me. I felt like James Bond. His British accent helped. I was assured that my baggage would be in tonight and delivered late. Long story short, that didn't happen. Fast forward a long nap, 2 episodes of Downton Abbey season 3 (yes, season 3), and a bottle of wine later, I felt my luck had evened out and I had no problem sleeping.

Today: do I get my luggage? Will I remember how the tube works? Tell me, what's your best travel experience? Let's see if mine gets even better on my way to India.

This route has tolls

Welp, tomorrow is the big day. I must admit that I'm scared out of my mind. Mostly because of the unkown. No, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. It has brought out my hoarding and OCD tendencies. I mean, I cleaned my makeup brushes today. WITH MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER. Who does that? I've made every boy scout patch look like amateur hour. This girl is prepared. I think the Target employees know me by name and I own one of everything in that store. Of course once I arrive, I'll calm down considerably. It's just getting there...

I must admit that I really could not do this without my parents, though. Seriously. They've schooled me hard core this week. Deep breathing 101 with Mom. Necessary electronics with Dad. I would be curled up in a suitcase sobbing if you weren't around to help out. I am totally getting you a present. Guys. Really. No, really...you're the best. Ti voglio bene.

So, looking at google maps, it'll be a long journey. Apparently if I take a car, it'll be 1,083 hours so I think I'll just stick to my flight plans. Sometimes the scenic route is best left for day trips.

To end this little post I thought it would be appropriate to share some song lyrics that adequately expressed my feelings on leaving my home and family for this adventure. Of course non other than Led Zeppelin could do this so perfectly. Well, Rolling Stones' 19th Nervous Breakdown comes pretty close.

Leaves are falling all around, It's time I was on my way.
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged for such a pleasant stay.
But now it's time for me to go. The autumn moon lights my way.
For now I smell the rain, and with it pain, and it's headed my way.
Sometimes I grow so tired, but I know I've got one thing I got to do

Ramble On, And now's the time, the time is now, to sing my song...



P.S. If you know this song then I have to add that no, I'm not going to Mordor, nor will I be meeting gollum along the way...unless he flies Lufthansa.

See you on the flip side!

A Leap of Faith or Ignorance?

      Here we are. Nine forty central time on a Monday evening. Sixty-seven degrees Fahrenheit in Saint Louis, Missouri. In other words: a lazy, cool night at home. I can't believe I'm leaving this weather for St. Louis summer part two. I've signed on to volunteer in India as an English teacher. Yes, I'm excited. Yes, I'm scared. Yes, I'm packing too much.

       I suppose that after a year at home to help out the family, one's first reaction is to get as far away from them as possible. For me the perfect distance is 9,000 miles. I have my cousin Caroline to thank for that. We will be living with each other for 4 1/2 months over there and my sole mission is to keep her from adopting an elephant. Her sole mission is to keep me from bringing home my weight in jewelry. I suppose you'll have to keep reading to see if we succeed.