Airport Rants and Musings: 1

It is 4:45 am on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013–a month and a day since my mother died. I have been travelling in airports since 12 pm Sunday. And I will not arrive to my final destination until about 8 am tomorrow.

Itinerary:

Sunday—

NashvilleàDallasàDenveràPortland [arrive 12 am Monday]

Monday—

Sleep in PDX 12:00-3:30 am, leave ticketed area [for approx. 20 mins. To check in], go back into ticket area

PortlandàDenveràIceland [arrive 6:35 am Tuesday]

Tuesday—

Keflavik, take 45 minute busàReykjavik

Arrive at destination! Hope Alex’s apartment isn’t a far walk from bus station!

I told my father I was safely at Princeton with Alison. I feel bad about that, however, it needed to happen if I was going to keep up my secret travels. It adds a shitload of thrill to this whole adventure and I honestly believe it is what I needed right now… some type of absurd, not too crazy, but exciting adventure. Running away to a different country fulfills that pretty well. It is empowering to know I can do it on my own, and withstand roughly 40 hours in airports/airplanes at such a tumultuous time and still make it through okay.

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I remember the last time I flew with my mom that I can remember. I was beginning my journey to New Zealand, she was going to New York, I think, and we both had layovers in Dallas, but her flight was later than mine. She managed to get onto the same flight as me, though, from Nashville to Dallas and was just so so giddy! The flight attendant came and told me my mother was on the flight, and pointed to where she was sitting and there she was, waving at me from across the aisle two rows ahead with the biggest unhindered grin. I could hear her talking to the man next to her about how she had managed to get on the same flight as her daughter, and talking joyously about it for at least 15 minutes, probably more. I was so embarrassed. I was 18, just about to head out for my big independent journey. I wish I had been as joyful as she that day. If I had the chance to re-experience, I’d take full pleasure in those few hours I had with her before I set off on my own. 

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To Kelly. My baby–you have always been so much mine. My heart, my soul–I love you–I will always be with you.
–Mom (and Pokey)