I Traveled the World in One Day

My travels back all started with a 5 o'clock wake up call to meet the group on the lobby by 5:40. In Eastern time we are talking midnight.

Once I struggled down to the lobby to check out with all my stuff, we hoped on the coach to take us to the airport. Groggy, hungry and upset that I was awake, we made it to the airport. We got off, got our bags and hoped in line to check bags.

You would think that early in the morning, the lines would be a breeze. Well that's not true at all. We stood in line to check bags for an hour or so. That hour consisted of some great line entertainment provided by a friend on the trip. Don't get me wrong, Carter was so nice and was always willing to talk or help whenever needed. However, his packing was a mess and corresponding to that, he couldn't find his passport. His struggles ended in being pulled out of line to find it and then 15 mins later...findih it in his pocket. The constoms agents got a kick out of him. It gets better, not more then 5 mins later and he had dropped it on the floor in line without noticing. Another one of our group members asked him if that was his and they got an even bigger kick out of it. From that point on one of our group leaders held onto it.

Once we got our bags checked, we headed through security.. twice.. and then down to international customs. Once we submitted the claim of the things we bought abroad and got questioned by the agents there, we headed down to the gate.

Exhausted and dreading this plane ride, we waited for the flight to begin. While in the the terminal, Amelia found a Dr. Pepper and I almost cried.

Anyways, some time and more waiting later we boarded the plan. This time around I got a aisle seat. Already exhausted I was ready to get get going so I can go to sleep. Once we took off, I waited up for breakfast. They served us heated up potatoes, cheese and eggs, yogurt and a muffin. Don't be too impressed, it was quite the specimen of airplane food.

This is where it gets interesting. Once I ordered my apple juice, not even 10 minutes later the pilot comes on over the speaker and warns us and the flight attendants of the turbulence ahead. Y'all this wasn't like any turbulence I had ever experienced. While attempting to keep the liquid in my cup, the girl next to be busts out in tiers and the older man in front of me was much less successful in not spilling his morning drink.

After about 10 minutes of the insane bumps, our pilot comes back on the speakers and tells the flight attendants to take their jump seats. She also said that the plane ahead of us said we still have about 15 more minutes of these bumps. Not gonna lie to ya, I said a little prayer. The mix of extreme exhaustion and fear told me to play it safe.

Once the bumps calmed down, I was more than happy to take a sleeping pill and and go to sleep. About two hours of on and off sleep total and a LOT of discomfort later, we began to get closer to the ground.

Once we landed, we were all more than ready to hop off this flight. All of our phones began to buzz and ring with messages and notifications. I could not tell you how great it was to be back on my normal phone plan.

As we were waiting to get off the plane, I hear my professor a couple rows ahead say that the Cincinnati flight got cancelled. This was a huge surprise to me and my mind began running. Is my flight cancelled? Why was theirs? Does Amelia and Erin know their flight was canceled?

Once we got off the flight we headed for the flight information boards. The group on the Cincinnati flight from my study abroad trip gathered to find out what to do. Feeling pretty useless, I took a much needed walk around the airport.

When I returned, the rumors were confirmed, CCSA had booked hotel rooms for the Cincinnati flight people. They all decided to go ahead and lave the airport. I intern grabbed lunch at a dumpling place in the airport and then decided to head to the gate for my Nashville flight and deal with my long list of emails.

A few hours later, it was time to board my flight. I gathered my things and got inline for my group boarding section. While I was in line I saw a man a few people ahead of me holding a ox of ski shoes. I thought how odd that is to have to carry on a plane. Then again, I have been carrying a ...CAMERA. Where is my camera! My heart plummeted and I thought I was going to throw up. I didn't have my camera. The last time I saw it was on the international flight. I began sprinting to the gate we landed in. Once I got there I frantically explained to the lady at the desk what had happened. She doubtfully told me the odds of finding it and that that plane just left for Hong Kong. She then told me my best chance was to check lost and found.

I took off for the customer service desk, passing the quickly shrinking line to get on my flight. Once I got there, there were about 30 people in line. Trying not to cry, I began looking for the lost bags form on the website. I had to get on my plane. I got to my gate and scanned my ticket holding back tiers. There was a chance it was in this airport but I don't have time to check. I filled out the lost carry on form in as much detail as I could. As soon as I pushed submit, my mom sent me a text asking if I was on the plane yet. I had to tell them. I answered explaining the situtuion and as I typed I began to panic even more. I had babied that camera more then anything I have ever been in charge of. I cleaned it and used it every day even carrying it in a case the whole time. And now...now that I am back in the states I loose the $2k camera.

I cried on this plane friends. Once we took off, I began watching a movie to distract myself. It worked. When we landed I was again calm. I had decided to talk to the loss and found in Nashville to see what they say about it.

Again gaining service, I see a text from the airport and dismissed it as a receipt for the form. I was wrong. They had found my camera. I was shocked! It hadn't even been two hours and they found it and tied it to me! I was so excited and grateful that on the way out of the plane, I stopped and stepped to the side to put mu card in for the shipment costs.

I was so relieved.

I happily walked down to the baggage claim to get my suitcase. Once at the belt, I met my friend Carter's parents who were really nice and huge Georgia fans. It was funny to hear him tell his parents about the passport mishap.

Once I got my suitcase, I navigated myself to the shuttle to my car. Once I got to the car lot, not only did they already bring my car up and had the heat running, but they also handed me a bottle of water as I stepped off the shuttle, put my suitcase in my car and gave me a discount. This was just the cherry on the cake after the good conversation with the driver on the way there.

So glad to be on my last stretch of travels, I hoped in my car and set my GPS for 2001 Newburg Road. It was a 3 hour drive and I was ready to go. Singing, calling my mom, talking to myself a little; I got on back. It was rainy and foggy but I pushed through. As I got close to campus I called some friends to see what they were up too. I ended up swinging by Canes Chicken for dinner and then pulling up to my residence hall.

When I pulled up the welcoming crew was there for me! Out runs the two Logan's who proceeded to fight for the first hug eventually picking me up. Once on the ground again, Nick and Jacob both hugged me as well, taking my keys to unload my car. They were so sweet to carry my things upstairs.

We all hung out in my room as I told them a little about my trip while shoving chicken in my mouth. Jacob even parked my car for me. I have the best friends in the world I am telling ya.

By the time everything settled down and the day was called. I had been awake for 26 hours straight...23 of them were spent in travel.

It was quite the adventure by coach, leg, plane, shuttle and car...but I did it and it was all more than worth it.

boarding.