...This is what the posts would look like from August 10th- August 11th. I decided to write some of my thoughts down anyway, just for posterity. Go crazy.
2:55- Made it through checking and security by the skin of my teeth- questioned at checking, just made the 70.0 lb absolute limit, then my carry-on was checked by some guy there, but he liked my Mr. Incredible shirt so it's all good.
2:56-Watching the news
2:57- 2 beached whales in Florida...they said they'd "keep us posted." Place your bets!
3:00- Cops are handing out Target gift certificates in exchange for guns in Fresno. Of course, I don't think there were many drive-bys happening with that bolt-action WWII rifle he's inspecting...
3:05- The mother whale died, and the baby's being euthanized. Someone owes me 5 bucks.
3:25- Target! I get it!!
3:30- A flight to Chicago was seriously delayed. An employee had an impromptu PSA which included the phrase "And I will be on the plane, pushing and shoving if you don't go fast enough." Woo me, Delta.
4:24- Some congressman got mad at a doctor who made a health care comment during a meeting about a highway. The verb used has gone from "argues" to "yells" to screams." Oddly, this reminds me of when Dad gets mad at the Gamestop employees.
4:30- Just watched someone talk about a plane/helicopter crash in Newark, New Jersey. Thank God I'm not going there anytime soon...
5:00- Boarded plane, couldn't fit carry-on into overhead compartment for 5 minutes, had to empty outside pockets, mean old lady next to me scolded me for not checking it.
5:15- Old lady turns down offered ice water and ordered one without any ice.
5:17- Old lady turns receives said iceless water, takes two tiny sips, then throws it away. Takes all my willpower not to comment.
7:32- Hear alarm outside…so the questions are; are there car alarms on planes, and if so, was one just set off? Someone trying to hijack a plane while it was on the ground?
8:15- Just lugged 77.6 pounds of crap halfway across Newark airport (and back) to pick up my last McDonald’s meal- a double quarter pounder with cheese, a Dr. Pepper, and a large fry. Here’s to you, America.
9:21- Sitting on the plane, just got handed those funny headphones. Cabin door’s about to close…no turning back after that. At least no one’s playing “How to Save a Life” or “I Wanna Know Your Plans,” because then I’m not sure if I could take it.
10:15- Supposed to leave an hour ago, but we’ve just been hangin’ out on the ground…although I did find this intriguing except in SkyMall, concerning Sudoku. And I quote; “No maths required.” I’m no English teacher, but that doesn’t sound right.
10:30- Looking through the in-flight shopping magazine. One of the things I love about air travel is the arrangement of products they attempt to sell. I don’t care if it is duty-free, I just can’t see anyone buying an 80 dollar ballpoint pen during a flight.
10:35- Finally taxiing. Don’t even get me started on the stuff in the
actual airport…I could get "I heart NY" t-shirts at 4 for 10$ in the city, or 2 for $25 at Liberty Int'l. I also have no idea how all those "$100+ And Nothing Else" kiosks stay in business.
10:40- Took off, smells strongly of urine. I can already tell I’ve left the States. Zing!
11:00- I could sleep, or I could watch Star Trek. Responsible decision, or Star Trek. I don’t even need to say anything else.
12:10- I just love airplane censors. “Are you out of your Vulcan mind?!”
1:30- Star Trek was amazing, watching Scrubs… I’ll get to sleep at some point.
(Aaaaaand…Time change!)
11:45- Jostled awake on the ground in Paris, I probably got about 30 minutes of sleep. Oops.
12:00- Told I don’t have to reclaim my checked luggage! W00t!
12:10- I have to go through the incredibly long security line again, even though I haven’t left the airport. Good stuff, France.
12:30- I’ve been in the line for, honestly, 30 seconds, and about 10 people have cut me off. I hate Paris.
12:40- Of all the airports I’ve been to, and there have been quite a few, Charles De Gaulle is the only one that makes you empty all electronics (including chargers, and in this particular case, a VHS tape) from the bags going through security. My man purse has never gone from so full, to so empty, and back again, in so short a time.
3:30- Meet British 8th grader from DA. He got a pen with a camera hidden on it. ‘Nuff said.
7:33- Just watched a whole bunch of Friends episodes. Tried to watch House but it made me sick to my stomach. He’s wicked funny and all, but the girls’ skin was falling off. Who decided that, “yeah, this is entertaining and fun to watch.”
7:35- We’re flying through coulds, I wish I could take a picture of this view. A red sunset, clouds above and below us, and a serene ocean. A fitting end to an incredible summer.
7:40- Just touched down in Dakar. A huge “Thank You” to everyone who made this past couple of months possible.
7:41- And so begins the next 2 years in Africa.
-Will
“You know, I love chocolate, but whenever I get a bag of these, it just turns into a game of ‘Find the Krackles’”
