I woke with a start to the ringing of "In the Mood" of my cell phone. 5:21 a.m. An automated female voice informed me that my flight to Atlanta was set to depart on time at 10:20 a.m. along with its connecting flight to Madrid. I nervously got ready and ate a big bowl of the best cereal ever - Honey Nut Clusters - to calm down. My little brother and I listened to 80's music (Livin' on a Prayer) on the way to the airport, and just like that, I was alone. Except of course for the frustrated mob of people swarming about the airport buzzing about being late and waiting in the huge lines. Apparently a power outage the night before was backing things up. Terrified I found my way ot a kiosk, scanned my passport, and got my boarding pass. After waiting in a huge line to check my bag (exactly the 50 lb limit) behind some golfers who were late and a group of ditzy laddies who let each other cut in line, I made it through to yet another huge line of disgruntled travelers, through security, and to my departure gate.
I was a little afraid that I wouldn't find anyone else from my program. Lucky for me, it's pretty easy to spot a group of excited yet terrified U of M students chattering like flustered chickens. I even recognized one girl from my Spanish Lit class. We introduced ourselves knowing we'd all forget within ten minutes. I found an ironic sense of relief in the fact that they were just as terrified as I was. more so, they were less prepared. I at least had been to Spain and had more speaking skills. If they could do this, so could I. I originally thought I'd be kind of a loner on this trip, but I think it is a good idea to make friends.
I splurged on Qdoba for my last meal in the USA, accidentally forgetting ridiculous Atlanta airport prices ($10!). Anyway, I blundered into another irony. A girl from my elementary school was on the same flight to Madrid, doing some traveling with her dad before her own study abroad program.
