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The View
My view from the plane as we flew across the ocean. Yesterday was my last day of work at Perkins Restaurant before this trip. I was scheduled to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ended up staying later than expected because the person who was scheduled at four didn't show up until a little after five. Because of this I began to stress out about the last minute packing I had left to do. Once I got home and showered off the smell of pancakes and lunch specials I started putting together my luggage and checking off my lists of everything I needed. I also cleaned my house because I knew that coming back to a mess after ten days in Spain would probably push me over the edge. Needless to say I felt like I had everything in order as I waited for Derek to get off work so I could say goodbye. Once he finally got a break around 7:30 p.m. I got my chance to make sure he knew where everything was in the house since he was taking care of our cats during the trip. Just as I was leaving I asked him to check his copy of the house key that I had made. Turns
Airport Blues
Emily and I waiting at the airport for one of our delayed flights. out it didn't work so I'm glad we checked it before I traveled half way across the world. I surrendered my original house key and headed out onto the highway. Less than two hours later I picked up Emily in Des Moines and drove her up to my Dad's house to stay the night since he was driving us to the airport the next morning. Once we arrived at the house I did a last minute small load of laundry and then proceeded to repack all of my luggage due to my concern about being able to carry it all on the plane. After debating between many clothing items, I narrowed my collection down to what I really thought I would need and what ultimately fit into my suitcase. Eventually we went to sleep around 1:30 a.m.
Three short hours later we woke up to leave for the airport. As if we won't be tired enough as it is we still don't completely realize that we're about to endure two long flights and lose several hours out of the day. We arrive at the airport less than an hour later and meet up with Erika in the entrance. Once we get through security we wait for our flight and talk about being tired and how excited we are to actually be going to Spain. In my head I know I am going on this trip but it still seems so surreal to me and feel that it will be until I step off that plane in Madrid. I have no idea what to expect, because although I've learned a little from Jen and Cesar about the history and seen pictures of flamenco dancers, I am completely unaware of what I will submerge myself into. This actually excites me more than making me nervous.
We get onto our plane and fly five hours over to the JFK airport in New York City which quickly becomes my least favorite airport. After we find our gate we decide to get some mediocre pizza since we weren't offered any food on the flight, thanks American Airlines. As we wait in our seats for our five hour layover and keep checking the flight board we become nervous that our connecting flight isn't showing up. After giving it some time with less than two hours before our departure I decide that we should ask an attendant about it. Upon locating an attendant, she proceeds to tell us that we are in the completely wrong terminal. Turns out that unlike most airports that have a couple terminals, JFK has EIGHT. As we rush up to the second floor we run into a flight attendant who notices our nervousness and helps direct us to the air train and eventually our correct terminal. Now we're running to our gate with minutes left to spare and hear over the intercom that our flight has been delayed to take off at 10:30 p.m. instead of nine. All that rushing for nothing. This leads us to sit on the airport floor which is about as comfortable as you can imagine. Finally our flight is ready to board and as I get accustomed to my seat I notice how different this plane is from the first flight. First of all this connecting flight was ran by Iberia which is American Airlines' European partner. This small difference lead to a larger plane that had better seats, provided free headphones, pillows and blankets (instead of charging you eight dollars for them like the previous flight). This flight also included two complimentary movies (Valentine's Day and the new Alice in Wonderland) to pass the time of 8+ hour flight as well as two free meals. The meals were unexpectedly good for airline food. Dinner consisted of chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots and peas, a drink, dessert, a roll, cheese, and salad. About an hour or two before we landed our breakfast was served which consisted of a croissant sandwich, fruit, juice, and a few other things. Needless to say, although I was dead tired, this flight was much more pleasurable than the first.
As we landed I noticed that many of the Spanish passengers were cheering and clapping about the safe and smooth landing. Overall my impression was that if the service on the flight and the positive attitudes of the passengers were a glimpse of what Spaniards were like, then I was in luck.
It then hit me that I was in Spain, halfway across the world.
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