AND HERE WE GOOOOOO

       Yesterday was a crazy travel day which ended this morning with my safe arrival in Edinburgh, Scotland! I woke up and headed to the Bill and Hillary National Airport (really, Little Rock? Why not the President William Jefferson Clinton National Airport?) about 9 o'clock, in plenty of time for my 11:30 flight to Atlanta! Mama took me and we were both brave and didn't get upset but both a little nervous about the busy day ahead! Here is a pic of my FINAL packing arrangements. 

       A fairly modest amount of luggage, I'd say. The lady at the desk assured me that she could check it through to Edinburgh, but I'm currently having some trouble because my suitcase is MISSING. I'm praying praying praying that it arrives tomorrow. Anyways, back to narrative about travel day. 

      Originally I had only one hour in Atlanta before my flight to Newark to meet up with the group and fly to Scotland. However, due to weather problems in New Jersey, my plane was delayed a full two and a half hours, getting me to Newark barely in time to print my international, United boarding pass (I'd flown there on Delta) and go back through security. While in Atlanta I read my fascinating book Death at Seaworld: Shamu and the Darkside of Whale Captivity which is nonfiction but so good and really an interesting issue (AKA don't go to Seaworld.) Uncle Larry also called several times to keep me company while I waited!

     I made a friend on the flight to Newark named John, who helped me find my way once I got to the rather confusing airport. After only a little rushing, I made it to where the whole group was sitting peacably in the gate C108 waiting for our flight at 9:55. I only had about 20 minutes to spare before boarding! 

    Mama had last minute upgraded me to the "economy plus" part of the plane which gave me some extra legroom--it was SO worth it, and since she booked it close to departure we didn't pay nearly as much as others in the section. Drs Streete (my professor and her husband) were right behind me! Then a miracle occurred: I was in the window seat, with another man (Dan) on the aisle, but the middle seat was empty!! Hallelujah! Dan was a very amicable dad-like figure who gave me all the pillows and let me stretch out into the middle seat to sleep. It was bliss. I slept almost the whole plane ride and woke up feeling very refreshed in time to watch us approach the coast. The clouds cleared some revealing blue ocean and an expanse of green land ahead--we had made it at last! 

    Customs was very quick and before long I was hovering worriedly around baggage claim only to find out that my bag had not come along for the ride. The lady at the baggage office gave me a number and said my bag would likely come the next day (tomorrow). Lets hope so! I don't think I can make it much longer with literally just the clothes on my back! Dr. Sally Dormer, the absolutely charming, maternal and wonderful dean who we met today at the airport was very kind and encouraging about it, as were all the other students on the trip, many of whom offered to lend me things. So it could really be much worse! Apparently it happens every year to someone. 

    Beyond the bag fiasco, the point is: EUROPEAN STUDIES HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! I'm am, at this very moment, studying abroad!