Traveling Day(s)

Around 2:30 central time, Frances, my momma, and I left Birmingham for Atlanta. We made it there quickly and I was pretty much able to walk right up to the baggage drop and leave my suitcase. I am SUCH an expert packer (haha) that my suitcase was 50 lb ON THE DOT!! So then we went and sat down at Atlanta Bread so that I could eat something before I went through security. We sat and ate for a little over an hour, and let’s face it, I wanted to drag it out because I knew it would be hard to leave.

So, I made a "Flat Erin" (like Flat Stanley) to bring to Italy!! SO this is Erin getting on the plane with me!!!

However, we did eventually get up and walked to security. We took a few pictures and gave lots of hugs. Thankfully there was literally like 5 people in the security line. So we hugged again and then I kind of watched them walk away a little bit as I walked through security and I teared up some, but tried not to cry. It’s going to be so weird and sad not to see my momma and daddy for a month! Security was a breeze and I was on my way to the terminal. I had never been to this terminal before and it was a looong walk. There were also not very many outlets and I needed to plug up my laptop and eventually my phone. So I let my mom know I was at/near my gate and then I called Erin.

It was so good to talk to Erin. It was hard though to know that I wont just be able to pick up the phone and call her any time I want or need. We talked about our days and about Italy! I was so excited that she was able to go to the beach and enjoy that aspect of living in Charleston! I miss her like crazy! So anyway, we talked for a little while and then hung up for a few minutes. During this time I went to the counter at my gate and got new boarding passes and requested an aisle seat because mine had been taken away. The man explained that they changed the type of airplane and that’s why, but he was so sweet and said that he would put me down for the first available aisle seat and I was so grateful for that. So then I went and called Erin back for a few minutes. We said our “I love you’s” and made a “plan” to skype at least once, and we’re going to be doing our Bible study.

So then they were getting ready to board my flight. They called me to the counter and told me that they had an aisle seat for me and I was SO excited! I ran to the restroom one more time and then went to wait at the gate. It seemed to take forever to do this, but I spent the time updating facebook one last time, texting, and talking to my momma. Also during this time I got some of the sweetest texts/facebook messages & comments from friends and family! I just want you to know that all of your prayers and kind words mean so much to me and were so comforting as I prepared to board my first international flight. Erin and Dr. Hernandez-Reif were particularly comforting. It was also good to talk to my daddy, though I wish he hadn’t told me that Auburn was winning…BOO!!!

So it was finally my turn to board. The plane was HUGE….well, it was definitely the biggest one I’ve been on yet. I’ve been on some big ones from BHM & NYC to California, but this one was definitely the biggest. Right when I got to my seat this woman started speaking French to me and then English and she wanted me to give up my aisle seat because she would be “sick” if her husband couldn’t sit next to her, but I had to tell her that I just could not give up the seat. I felt bad, but after getting on, I just knew that it would be in my best interest (and those around me) that I have an aisle seat. So it worked out that the guy next to her husband because my aisle seat buddy. He was very sweet…a physics professor at Oklahoma University. We talked for a bit about school (mine and his), football, travel, etc. while we were waiting to leave the gate (which took FOREVER because they were shifting luggage around). I did get to talk to my momma for an extra 10-15 minutes which made me feel much better.

Then as we prepared to take off I started to get a little nervous. I had been praying and I knew that there were others praying for me at that exact moment, and WOW…the peace of God truly is beyond all comprehension. I was not nervous the rest of the flight. The first little bit of turbulence we hit threw me off, but I just reminded myself that it was because of the air outside and then I was fine. We did have a screen showing us where we were, so I saw that we flew up the coast and then headed out over the ocean. So despite the darkness outside (and he did have the window open) I knew the whole time when we were over the ocean; and guess what!!?!? IT DIDN’T FREAK ME OUT!!! YAY!! I did sleep a little bit. It was on and off, but at least it was some. Before I fell asleep I watched some of that “new” Selena Gomez movie, “Monte Carlo”. It was a cute little movie and they went to Paris and that was fun because that was where I was headed. They also served us a dinner of a really bad salad, pretty good pasta, bread, brownie, cheese, and something else. I ate a few bites of the pasta, the little cheese slice, and saved my bread and brownie. They had also told us they were going to be serving a light breakfast in the morning.

First glimpse of the sunrise!!! ERin in Paris!!!

So at some point I woke up and I could see the sun beginning to rise. That was exciting!! I fell back asleep for about an hour or so after I ate breakfast (English muffin with egg on it and a cute little banana). Then when I woke up it was BEAUTIFUL outside. As we landed I took a few pictures. I was SO excited that I had made it through my first international/over the ocean flight without nerves and with an ever present sense of peace (thank you, Lord). So thank you for all of your prayers because I know that the only way I made it through that flight without ANY sort of medication (nothing, not even Nyquil) was all of mine and your prayers.

So the Paris airport was a little bit confusing, but not too bad. The lady at information helped me and was very kind. I stopped and bought a few post cards and then I had to catch a bus to my terminal. This whole time I am slightly freaking out because my phone wont work for me to call home. I am sure my parents are worried about why I haven’t called, but it was so stressful for me too. I made it to my area and bought a cheap Eiffel Tower keychain and went to the bathroom and then it was time for me to board my flight. It was kind of a small plan, but had 3 seats on each side. It was such an empty flight that each person had 3 seats to themselves. As our “lunch” my choice was a salmon sandwich or bacon sandwich. I chose bacon. It was weird though; it was cold with some sort of slaw or something on it. I took the bacon off after like 2 bites because bacon doesn’t usually set well with me. So right now as I am writing all of this I am on the flight from Paris to Florence. We just passed THE MOST beautiful snow capped mountains!! I mean it was BEAUTIFUL…God truly is an artist and what I just saw was simply him showing off because WOW!!!!! I cannot believe I am about to be in Italy!! I’ll finish this post later!!

The remainder of the flight was good! I got off the plane in Florence went right to the baggage claim (which was like RIGHT there because it is such a small airport) and went to get a taxi. I stopped to ask the lady at customs if they stamped passports and she said no. I was super bummed about this because it would have been my first one…and is ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!! I want that stamp…I’ll have to figure out a way to get one. So then I got a taxi and he brought me right here to the apartment. Getting up to the fourth floor with my 50lb suitcase, vera Bradley weekender, and my backpack was NOT easy! Thankfully, Gwendola (the daughter…and I hope I am saying this correctly) came to help me. The introductions were kind of awkward because I am so afraid of using my Italian! I HAVE to get over this…like ASAP!!!!

Anyway, they showed me to my room which has a beautiful window and the desk is right below the window so I am TOTALLY in love with this!!!! The room is a great size and I’m definitely looking forward to sleeping tonight. We had trouble getting my computer to connect to the internet (Erin will not be surprised), but it’s all good now!! They were also so kind to let me use their telephone to call my mom and let her know I was here. My phone DOES NOT work like t-mobile said it would!! Boo once again on T-mobile!!! Anyway, then I talked to Mike on facebook briefly and now I am hoping to talk to my momma and daddy on skype soon! I also had Mike text Erin to get her on skype, but then I realized she is probably in church!!!!

Wow, this blog is loooong and I think I will add a few pictures to this first one as well! I am so excited to have internet here at the apartment! It means I will be able to see friendly faces occasionally and keep my blog updated regularly!!!! YAY!!!

I'm so excited because I just got to talk to my momma and daddy on skype and then Erin on skype!!! That was amazing!!!!! Made me feel good about being half a world away!!!! OMG OMG OMG I'M IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So later tonight they came and told me to come eat. OMG!!! SOoooooooooooooooo much food, but so good! We started out with some weird paste like stuff on bread...one tasted kind of fishy and the other was beefy. Therefore, I tried both, but only ate the beefy one. And we had red wine! :) Then we had some soft of stuffed pasta...not sure what it was stuffed with, but man was it good! :) Then some roast beef (that was pink...so you'd be proud of me for eating it) and some salad. And then we had dessert (chocolate covered cream puffs) and then some coffee in little shot glass things... overall it was a WONDERFUL first meal! There was another sister and her husband here, and then a guy named Lorenzo! It was awesome! It made me miss my New York family though!! I was able to use some of my Italian...I just have to stop being so self-concious! Guenda, the daugher, complimented me on what I did know. I wanted to say, "I know sooooo much more...i'm just so scared to speak and be wrong." However, she speaks English very well and that's helpful!!

Dr. H-R...today was a 9 out of 10!!! :) So far, so good! :) *only missing one point because they didn't stamp my passport!!!

Now, I am soo full and going to bed!! I love you all and appreciate all of your prayers!!!

P.S. I'M IN ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!