Leaving for the AT – The Trek

Schipol, Amsterdam

I have arrived at Schipol. My trip started yesterday when my brother took me to the airport hotel to sleep before my flight. The decision was right, as my previous plan was to take an early morning taxi to the airport. As the overnight snowfall was heavy, it is very likely that I would not have arrived in time to reach the airport. Thanks mom for suggesting it.

saying goodbye

Yesterday was a good day as I had my last dinner with the family before leaving. It was my sister’s birthday and since we celebrated her 31st, I was also able to spend some time with my family. The turkey was wonderful and we finished the evening with a couple rounds of a board game. Shortly after my sister and brother-in-law went to the guest bedroom to put my two nieces to bed, my brother and I left for the airport.

Well, I only got 300 meters down the road when my eyes started watering and my chest felt heavy. In the hustle and bustle of it all, I hadn’t given my sister a proper goodbye. I needed to say a proper goodbye. The car turned around quickly and no less than 5 minutes later, I was saying goodbye to everyone with a hug. It felt great, but horrible. I will miss my family a lot over the next 6 months. I just hope that it also means my heart grows fonder.

Pre-ride nervousness

The entire subsequent trip to the airport felt so surreal. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that the day had come. The wait has been very long, but the beginning of my trip seemed to have left me in shock.

Shortly after checking into my room, I was on the phone with my friend Fride, expressing my bewildered state of mind caused by something so carefully planned.

“I know,” he said. «I can hear it in your voice. You’re all breathy.» She knows me very well. After talking about it for a while, the world was much better. During that conversation I also think she heard the doubt in my voice. I doubt I was doing the right thing, or I doubt I believed myself capable of undertaking this great adventure of mine. At the time, I admit, the latter was true.

«But you must not give up on this journey, Lena, just don’t you dare,» he said sternly. The stern statement was followed by a moment of silence as he let the words sink in. I took a breath and said, “Okay.” The affirmative “Ok” type. A grateful one. He wasn’t talking about now, but any time during the next trip. And that gave me one thing: a deep appreciation for having Fride on my side. She is a force to be reckoned with and I have had a lot of practice talking to her!

I am very fortunate to have her as one of my biggest supporters.

As we talked, I found peace within myself. It was definitely some pre-trial jitters that needed calming.

I’m on my way!

I took my flight to Amsterdam. Now I’m on my flight to Atlanta. Well, I found my seat, but the plane is still on the ground. I hope it’s not too long though. In the meantime, I enjoy all the American accents.

Our captain has, what I believe, a southern accent, and he fluently said, “We hope this is a smooth voyage,” there was no doubt about it. His voice embodied the same softness.

I’m here, I’m on a great adventure, and so far, I’m loving it!

The Delta plane is surprisingly nice. I was a little disappointed when I learned that although I booked through KLM, the flight itself was through a collaboration with Delta. Well, I’m not complaining. So far everyone has been very nice. And the plane, which I feared would be very full, is far from it. I’m even alone in a double seat. And there is no one to my left, right, in front or behind. In fact, this could turn out to be a smooth ride. Even Mosse has his own seat!

My seat is at the back of the plane, just one row behind me. Close to the emergency exit and just the right distance from the bathrooms. Also just perfect. When I got to my seat, I noticed a bundle with a pillow and blanket on my seat. I have a screen to myself and one of the flight attendants gave me headphones. I’m afraid I won’t have anything to complain about today. A good start to my trip. Delta economy class is much more class than economy.

Atlanta, here I come!

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