It seems as though it were only yesterday that I was sitting at the Ithaca college football field waiting to graduate (part two). As they tend to do, summer flew by between trips to Africa (which I hope back date/add to here), working at the coffee shop, and playing whatever instrument for a number of hours each week. My last visit to Ithaca was a particularly memorable one between old friends, new friends, African friend, and mentors. I couldn't have left Ithaca with better memories if I tried, but I did leave with little time to pack as I was leaving the next day. The last night in the States was just as memorable with those people I call my home, friends and family alike. In this blog I hope to keep a memory journal for me and create a humorous read for friend and family interested in reading.
So the beginning of my journey to Ireland-
The morning of my flight I walked into my house around 10am after the last night of galavanting with those crazy people I love so much from home. As I was packing up I realized that I had some how managed to break my cell phone charger in the course of the past days and had to find another if I were to have any of the number to people back in the States. I had to catch the bus down to the city and just about made it after running around town to grab the charger. (Although the ironic part is that it was the wrong charger for my phone anyway.) My father and I got down to the city with ample time to get to airport from the port. However, this is where the fun begins...
I brought my passport and paperwork up to the delta employee to get my boarding pass and tickets only to be informed that since I didn't book a round trip ticket I would need visa. The first employee offered me to buy a return ticket which I hesitantly said yes, but then his supervisor came over and made the situation worse. She informed that since I told them I would be there for 9 months (I said academic school year) that they were not allowed by law to let me on the plane. Who would have thought that I would have more trouble trying to get out of the country then into a new one. In a panic I called Jon H. to get Ernest's number in Ireland. When I called him he assured me that he had no problems with his tickets or entry to the country. Then armed with the number I called the Irish consulate, which promptly returned my called and assured me that the airline employees were a bunch of idiots. The supervisor that I fought with earlier continued to be her passive aggressive (insert typical descriptive of a female dog here), insisting that I needed a visa when I was talking to the consulate who informed me they don't even write visas for US citizens!!!!!! After the hour and a half of arguing I finally won them over and got my boarding pass.
I had a teary goodbye to my father, but the airport employees in the carry on baggage department made me feel better. I sat in the airport and made a few calls and a drink before getting on the flight. It was a typical 7 hour flight that was freezing since it was at night and I was by the window. I managed to sleep a little, but mostly found myself freezing. I awoke in time to get the sunrise over the Atlantic and to catch my first aerial glimpse of Ireland. Yes, I did fly into Shannon/Shannon airport, which some have deemed a ironic situation. I was met by a taxi driver that brought all of us Americans to our housing at the University. It turned out that the girls were from the same town Ernest's dad works. I arrived a bit early to my apartment, but was allowed to move in despite my timing. I unpacked what little I had and took a well needed nap. During my lovely nap apparently Ernest had wondered around the student village looking for me, but we ended up finding each other randomly on a road off campus. We walked around the campus since I had no idea where to go the next morning for the International student orientation. In my apartment we met my the first of my roommates a girl named Rachel doing her MS in Speech therapy. We left in order to do a bit more walking but found ourselves tired and parted ways for a well needed and deserved sleep.
(The picture above is of my student village)
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