About a month ago the head of my department at school asked me if I wanted to go to a conference in Austin. Free trip to Austin??? Sure. Of course I knew that I would be traveling by myself but I really didn't think much of it. Here are a few reasons that made me wish I would have thought twice:
- I got to the Amarillo airport at about 4:30 for my flight at 5:20 to find that it had been delayed to 6:35. Two hours extra of sitting at the gate....not so big a deal.
- I was flying southwest and of course had not checked in early so my boarding pass was B 15...not too bad but not good enough to get a window seat. I entered the already very full plane looking for any friendly face to sit by. Finally I come to a nice looking couple, probably in their late 30's maybe early 40's. While getting situated they smiled at me and the man said I had a "cute bag." At this point I am feeling pretty good about my choice of seats. Then I notice that the lady has here shoes off and has her legs draped across the mans lap....interesting, but not too much to bare. Before the plane even begins moving to the runway I realize that I have made a very big mistake.....they are talking quietly to each other and kissing every few words!!! Loud smacking kisssing! Did they do this the entire 1 hour 5 minute flight....YES they did! I just tried to bury myself in my book and try not to hear the smacking. I get sick to my stomach on planes as it is without being completely grossed out by loud PDA. I was unbelievably relieved to arrive in Dallas.
- After running out of the first plane I looked at the board to see where my connecting flight was and I see that it is already boarding. In a panic I run to the gate to see the man closing the door. He apologizes that I had to hurry knowing that my first flight was late. No big deal...I'm ok now.
- This time I am a little wiser in picking my seat. I find a lady sitting all by herself by the window and I take the aisle seat. A few minutes later a man asks if he can sit in the empty seat so I scoot over and let him have the aisle. Keep in my mind I am really into the book I am reading. I am pumped because I think I am going to get to really concentrate on it instead of what is going on around me. I promise you, this man insists on talking to me all the way to Austin. I have my book open, on my lap, staring at it as he talks and talks and talks... I'm still not sure how he didn't know that I really wanted to read instead of talk about his trip today, wind farms, his friend who teaches some sort of space class in Fredricksburg. Oh well, I can be nice. (On a side note I did meet a guy on the plane who was from Springlake, tx which is connected to Earth, where Josh was a youth minister for a couple years. I also met a lady who was from Olton where Josh is from. Maybe a sign that Josh should have been with me on this trip...I don't know)
- I arrive in Austin at about 9:00 and luckily my luggage has arrived with me. The way this trip is going I wouldn't have been surprised if they accidentally sent it to Beijing. Anyways, I realize while getting my luggage that I need cash if I am going to take a taxi to the hotel. I find an ATM and realize that I don't know what my pin is. It's been a long time since I have used my debit card. I call Josh and he reminds me what it is but for some reason the machine will not accept it. I am standing in the Austin airport all by myself about to cry. I feel a panic coming over me...and what do I do, I call Josh. He reminds me that the lady had said I could take a taxi or call 1800bluevan. Thank goodness!! The nice man on the phone directed me to the super shuttle counter which is open 24 hours and i finally made it safely to my hotel.
Everthing since arriving at the hotel has been great. The conference is great, the workout room was very nice, the room service is really great. But really, I am just hoping that tomorrow, when I go home, I have a much better experience. This might be my last trip by myself.
-Amber
