Day 2: Or is it Day 1? I don't think we ever saw nighttime...

Wednesday, June 3 – 9:25 p.m. – Leiden time

We made it to Leiden! It really took us planes, trains and automobiles. And it was actually quite fortunate, because we had no directions or instruction from Central. Good thing Allison and I were together!

We took the train from Schipol Airport to Leiden Centraal. Then, we took a ride in a Mercedes-Benz taxi. I was amazed by the number of bikes!! I knew there would be a lot, but I truly think there are more bikes than people here.

After a short meeting with the group, we were dismissed for dinner. Allison and I walked around with two other girls: Madison and Lauren. They go to school in Texas and Philadelphia, respectively.

With no direction, it was actually quite difficult to find a place for dinner. Many planes close early, and we can’t read Dutch to see what’s on the menu. We finally decided on a pizzeria, and even that proved difficult. After eating our meal, we encountered a culture difference – we didn’t know how to get our check and pay! We didn’t know if we should wait or if we should ask for it or if we should go up to the counter. We ended up doing 2 of the 3 – asking AND going up to the counter.

Another thing I noticed about the bikes was that none of them are locked!! I’d heard that, if you were going to have a bike, you would need 2 or 3 locks, but that’s not the case here! There are hundreds of bikes along the street, and I don’t know if I’ve seen any that are locked up.

I’ve also seen 3 cats… =)

This evening was fairly relaxed. Everyone was tired from their travel, so I set up my room in the dorm. We all have single bedrooms with a shared bathroom area and kitchen. The rooms are actually quite nice, and the building is high-tech and secure. We have magnetic keys that get us in the front (sliding glass) doors, up the elevator and into our rooms. Then, once we’re in the room, the magnetic key goes in a credit card reader-looking thing, and it gives power to the room. Pretty snazzy.

My room... not quite all set up yet.

The view out my window... so pretty!

We still haven’t gotten the Internet to work, so this post will actually be posted at a later time than I am writing it. We were assured that wireless would be available pretty much everywhere, and so far… nothing.

We will probably have to go to the store and get a cable tomorrow. Who knows where that store is though?!

I’m feeling a little lonely right now, but I think things will get better once we get into the groove of things. It was a bit overwhelming today, and I’m still not sure if it’s hit me that I’m in Europe for a month… but it will.

Tonight though, I have to go to sleep in my lonely room. The sun is still up, but everyone else in the program went to sleep a while ago. Sigh… Wish me luck!

Day 1: And so it begins

Wednesday, June 3 – 9:30 a.m. (Dublin time)

We made it to Dublin! I meant to write [Monday] night, my last night in the U.S., but I was up late packing and didn’t get it done. But now we’re in Dublin, so the marathon day begins…

In preparation for the trip, I wrote my list, checked it twice (or four times) and then packed. Of course, not everything fit in my bag, so I repacked and repacked. Eventually, I gave in and decided to use a big bag and a small bag. Not my original plan, but I’ll make it work.

Chris (my wonderful boyfriend) and I left for Chicago around 8:45 a.m., and it took approx. 5 ½ hours to get there. After a few stops, we made it to the airport at about 4. Allison was already through security, so I checked my bags, and we went to the café.

I ended up being more emotional that I thought I would be. As soon as Chris said he should go, the tears welled up in my eyes. I didn’t sob or bawl, but there were tears. At about 5:15, I pulled it together to go through security. We said our goodbyes, and I was off.

The plane took off at 6:50 p.m. (already the end of a long day), but I didn’t get much sleep. I watched the Twilight movie and an episode of Friends. I think I got a few hours of sleep between the dinner of chicken and rice and the OJ breakfast.

Although the flight was LONG, I suppose it could have seemed longer. Allison and I sat by each other on the outside row of the plane. It was a smooth flight, and we made it safely.

After we landed, we waited in the immigration line for over an hour. Next, we had to traverse quite a maze of back hallways in the Dublin airport. We went through security again, and then made it to our gate.

By this time, we looked really ragged. We took a few pictures as we departed the plane, and we looked gross. Haha… Between the tears, sleeping with my contacts in and being up for 24+ hours at this point, we needed a little freshening.

So here we are, waiting at gate A11 for our flight to Amsterdam.

As we were landing, we discussed our dominant emotions. Allison said “apprehensive.” I’d say mine is “nervous-excited.”

We still have a lot to learn about the program, and it hasn’t truly sunk it yet for either of us. We’re both going to miss some very special people at home, but we know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the month is going to go very quickly.

That’s all for now.

I’ll probably check back in when we’re settled in Leiden this evening.
I love you all. Special thanks to you, Chris, for driving me to the airport. Also, if Molly happens to be reading this, there’s a flight leaving for Cork, and I’m thinking of you!!