Well, it's 2:00am (I honestly don't know what time zone, but I'm guessing EST since my iPad isn't connected to the internet so it doesn't know where I'm at)
Currently over the North Atlantic, somewhere past Newfoundland and south of Iceland.. I know, that narrows it down. Anyways, I can't sleep on the plane due to excitement, so I figured I would fill everyone in.
After I landed in Atlanta, I made my way to the domestic baggage claim. Two points:1) Traveling alone is fun. 2) I've come to the conclusion that Delta is the reason that Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world. With a complete terminal dedicated to the airline, as well as a baggage claim area just for Delta bigger than the Savannah Airport, I can't help but to wonder what would happen if Delta pulled all service from KATL. Anyways, would this day be complete if I didn't run into more difficulties? Absolutely not, So when I finally got to the baggage claim, I was in a slight tizzy due to the fact of my late arrival from Savannah,and me expecting the international terminal to be completely swamped. Well, like I said, the Delta baggage claim is HUGE. It basically laid out with eleven carousels, with different flights on different carousels.. At first I thought I was going to have to walk up and down this baggage claim searching for my bag and wasting time that I needed to have on my side to get through security. Much to my excitement, I found a array of screens saying which flights bags were where (I mean obviously Reed there is going to be one of these..) So, I finally find Savannah at carousel 9. I start walking towards the end, and about 100 feet away from my baggage carousel, I see my two bright red bags. For some reason, I take off running. I don't know why, but I guess that I just figured that once my bags rounded the next corner, I would be without clothes, toiletries, and everything else I needed for the next month. I get to my bags and claim my reward with victory, then realize a group of people staring at me with disapproval. I grab my bags, and wheel them behind me while I try to figure out how I'm going to get to the international terminal to check in to my British Airways flight. I find a tram that would take me to the international terminal.
My stress has somewhat dissolved, but I was still worried about long check-in lines, and prepared myself to have to wait in line for an hour at security. I make it to the international terminal, and get dropped off.. Yep, you guessed, the Delta end. Much to my surprise the British Airways counter was allll the way at the other end. Still kind of rushing myself, I kinda hustle to make it there, but I am relieved of all stress when I see my professor at the counter checking in. At least now if i don't make it on the plane, I'm with the woman in charge. [side note: it's really cool how the British Airways employees in America had British accents. I don't know if it's a requirement for the job or what, but you go British Air, you go.]
So, check in complete and I begin to make my way to security, preparing myself to endure a line longer than one at an Apple Store on a release day. Much to my surprise (and relief) the line isn't long at all, and in fact much shorter than the line I dealt with in Savannah.
Life up to this point has been pretty much uneventful, but a few facts for all of you viewers back home. 1- There is a Varsity in the international terminal, and it tastes just like the real thing. 2- I got questioned about my accent at Starbucks in the airport, so I can only imagine how the next twenty two days are going to be with my "Hey Y'all's" and "Bless your heart" 3- The British really know how to treat you. I mean, a full hot meal with pasta, salad, bread, tea, and dessert? What would be better? I'll tell you what, nothing but Zaxbys! 4-British accents make everything sound nice, even though it may not be nice. Just trust me.
Okay, well I have a bit less than three hours until we land in London, and I need a little sleep.
Until the next situation arises,
Reed Jones, World Traveler Extraordinaire
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