January 4, 2009

7:30 AM ~ Is that really my phone? Roll over. Yeah I guess it is. Well 5 minutes more isn’t going to throw anyone off in the shower.

8:40 AM~ We left pretty much on time, no problems. Two suitcases, my laptop case which somehow managed to way a ridiculous amount and my backpack which wasn’t very space effective in terms of the box I was carrying in it, but that’s okay because that’s something I’m leaving here so that means more space later…hopefully.

I’m not sure exactly what time we got to the airport though I don’t think it’s exceptionally important. As my mom has already told the tale I don’t think I need to elaborate too much on the whole switching around clothes and things from one bag to the other. Funny, I didn’t think I had over 50 pounds in either of them but hey…

Airport breakfast of Quizno’s mesquite chicken something or other sandwich and I sat and waited for the plane. On the first flight I managed to finish the M or F book. The flight was really smooth, and entirely uneventful.

I got to Houston airport and had to ride a train to my new terminal. I considered wasting some time and riding it around for awhile just to see the rest of the airport since I had so much time (we may have arrived even 20 minutes early from the other plane and my lay over was already going to be long). But alas, I figured the thought of doing it was enough. Dad, I can hear you saying “I bet you did [consider riding that train around]” and laughing a little. =)

And I’m not supposed to have any crazy stories yet. I’m just supposed to report that I made it through the airports, got into Merida no problem and my family is second only to my real family at home, but we had a little bit of trouble in Houston.

A grande chai tea, a venti serving of internet surfing, and a small 15 minute conversation with my dear friend Will Conway, I’m starting to feel a little bit of pressure for the whole “making sure I get on the right plane, don’t forget anything, you can’t miss this flight.” Better get some food, it’s about 5:40 local time and boarding is at 6:20. No problem. Hook myself up with a bbq sandwich and wander back to E-14 which has never really been that far away. Boarding, or finishing boarding, really, for New Orleans is a little suspicious though. They must have great turn around time on these gates. So I take one of the many recently vacated chairs and pull out my next book.

But the panic something-just-doesn’t-seem-entirely-right-with-this-situation feeling still hasn’t passed. Looking around, when I said “many recently vacated seats,” I meant all but like, 7 of them were empty. That’s a little too empty for a plane that’s supposed to be leaving here in a couple of minutes.

So I stand and wait in line behind this couple who wants to get to New Orleans but their flight was delayed. And they really need to stay with their luggage insists the lady behind the counter, and “that’s really not a problem for us” which transforms into “that’s fine” in a forced polite tone that no one really feels “I’ll just write a letter then.”

Finally it’s my turn. I move up to the counter and the lady looks kind of tired and surely I don’t want on that plane, too, right?

“I just have a question…the flight to Merida is still out—“

“C-43”

“C-43” Just making sure I got that right. E-14 does not equal C-43. C is a completely different terminal. As a matter of fact, I came in through C and rode a train to get over here oh so many hours ago.

Oh Crap Oh Crap Oh Crap…!!! C-43. C-43. Walking. Walking. These moving sidewalks that Will’s never been on? Whoever invented them did it just for people like me.

I can’t remember exactly what I was thinking between E-14 and C-43, I reassured myself that talking to myself was not a sign of mental instability and when I didn’t have to take the train that I was going to be just fine.

In the end, I don’t know how I missed that. Maybe it was changed before I even got there. Who knows.

The flight to Merida was uneventful as well. I actually had an empty seat next to me which was comfortable because then I was able to use that tray for my cup of water and cup of diet coke. The sip of diet coke after that cup of soda was the best tasting diet coke I’ve had, but then it steadily declined back to never-had-anything-over-pepsi diet coke. I’ve had more water today than in the last 3 months easily.

Customs was pretty easy. They asked me how many computers I had which I only have this one, but I think there might have been some confusion with that DVD burner which was making my laptop case so heavy. Either way they didn’t seem too concerned. And yes, all of this stuff is just for my own personal usage, thank you very much.

Walking through the glass doors though (it’s almost like getting out of a quarantine or something which I suppose isn’t too far from the truth) was a little overwhelming. Suddenly there are a bunch of very unfamiliar and eager faces staring at you, watching you. I didn’t see my name immediately, but there just a little farther back was my host-mom and host-dad with their 15 year old daughter who looks more like 10.

They took me home in their very nice car, explaining different streets and things along the way; it’s probably vaguely similar to that Bel Air- Frederick trips from the other summer. If they say it often enough I’ll start to remember it though there was nothing quite as amusing as the “glad I’m not them” bit of that trip.

I suppose this would be an appropriate time to point out I'm pretty convinced that we're living in a mansion sculpted from a really nice magazine...they said they'd show me the upstairs tomorrow (yeah...exactly). They also have this really adorable dog that seems kind of pomeranian-ish. Her name is Biko (if I slip up and call her Meeko though I don't think anyone will notice. :) My host family has already commented that we’re buddies. Which we are. I see Biko every time I come in and out of my room.

I do have internet connection, it’s wireless, and my room is fantastic. I have my own separate quarters with a bathroom and everything. Unpacking will hopefully happen soon enough. They even put a little container of jelly beans next to my bed side table, “for when you get homesick” my host-mom said. Jelly beans, I think, are perfect. These are pictures of my room =)