JMcS: This is true, Tina. I took a risk to try squeeze as many things into one day as possible, but the risk is what I live for! Well, I won't go into details, but I returned back to my sister's house late the night before because I was celebrating Tina's birthday and I went to print off our plane tickets with Tina at USF (BOTH of our home printers happen to break down). Alex helped us by lending the USF computer lab and greeting us in a beaver costume. Needless to say, I stayed up making cds for our Irish road trip (prioritizing), still had some packing to do, and needed to wake up early to do a few things. My alarm the following morning had other plans. I woke up in a panic, got ready for my interview, came back, and had to do the final preps at 9:00am still. (Flight leaves at 10am).
TOD: Meanwhile back at my place I recieve a text at 9:12am from Jaci "Hey do you have an extra lock? Mine is broken and forgot the ones that work." Oh my goodness. Our flight was to leave in an hour didn't she have bigger fish to fry? At any rate around that time I notice the zipper on my suitcase is busted. Wave of panic strikes as I hastily try to look for another suitcase. Found one and began the painstaking task of transporting the 2011 fall collection into suitcase #2. Hey, I have boots, scarves, and other accessories that are vital to the trip. After the transfer I get another text "We're here." Jaci comes to the door just as I am finishing burning a melodic cd for our great adventure.
JMcS: So while Tina made me feel guilty about the delay I created in the morning and forgetting my locks, my sister is now waiting in the car to drop us off while Tina is finalizing her suitcase transfer. 9:19am. haha As if we weren't already running LATE to check our bags for the international flight, we managed to hit every single red light on our way there and tried dodging a train to avoid a bigger delay. My sister tried to get in front of it by plowing through Falls Park, but eventually leaving us off the beaten track and temporarily lost in downtown Sioux Falls. We laughed with hints of panic behind each giggle and constantly looked down at the clock.
TOD: We finally arrive at 9:35 thankfully we had already checked in and being that Sioux Falls airport isn't exactly the equivalent to O'Hare we successfully made it through security check minus a bag of liquids issue on Jaci's behalf. After getting through we spent a good 20 minutes laughing at the beginning to our great adventure.
JMcS: Yes, I was caught with liquids, but I was a true friend and served as a decoy for Tina who had an entire carry on bag full of fluids...this is true
We arrived minutes before the 1st class boarded. Tina, a commoner, and I had to wait patiently to get our world class seating way in the back where it was safe to scratch our fleas.
What a morning...but it wasn't over. Briefly what happened, I left my ipod and notebook on the flight from Chicago to Newark. I officially lost my mind. I had to run to costumer service, meet with airport security and file a claim all before boarding our final flight to Dublin. Our flight was boarding, so I had to leave before everything was finalized. Once we got on the plane, Tina sat next to the cutest Irish boy ever who was super charming and cuddled with her the entire time. I sat in the row behind her and had to try figure out ways not to look forward and didn't have an ipod or headphone to give me something better to do. Kings to you, Tina.
TOD: Yes, the flight to Dublin was not bad for me. As Jaci stated earlier I did have a great seat. Embarrassing enough as I was trying to shimmy my way to the window seat with my TWO carry ons I managed to topple over the cute Irish boy.
JMcS: The "topple" was so smoothly played...
TOD: The Irish boy and I had several things in common: we both ordered the chicken pasta and were Coca-cola enthusists. Yes, this could be it. While he was watching The Bourne Identity I opted for Avitar. The romantic glow of our screens must have been too much for him as I dozed off I would come in and out of conciousness with him cuddled besided me carressing my arm. I thought it was a bit odd but not odd enough to stop it.
JMcS: Once we arrived it was 5:30am. It was still dark, but the people on our flight were magical and so helpful. Tina's new boyfriend directed us to the right bus (although we still missed it) and a man hoped for good weather for us as he said, "because last week my wife said it was pissing rain..." I laughed and after he apologized for his language, we reassured him that Tina and I were not offended. We were final in Ireland! We jumped on a very empty bus to the city center and asked the "conductor" to bring us to our hostel area because us "country folk" can't read maps so good. He dropped us and pointed us in the direction we needed to walk in only to find out after 15 minutes of walking on the dark cobble streets of Dublin's city center, we were lost. After asking around to people walking by to get to their early morning jobs, we eventually made it to the hostel. Tina's multiple bags struggled to make it through the dainty European framed front doors, but we made it. We checked in 7 hours before we were supposed to, but they were forgiving and Tina and I found ourselves asleep in our shared bunk bed in no time.
A perfect start to a perfect Ireland adventure! Tomorrow should include 10am Irish Carbombs, a Nessie sighting by 2pm, and an evening in a country pub where Jaci and Tina steal the hearts of many by dancing on the bar and singing in fake Irish accents.
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