Day One

We drove as the sun crept up on us.

We listened to Goodnight, My Love in the car.

But the day had just begun - 

Leaving behind the usual wee small hours of chit-chat over booze and cigarettes, as we toyed with the notion of slumber;

We had barely slept tonight,

Groggy-eyed, and headed for the airport

It was close to 6 AM.

The airport was exceptionally crowded.

The line through customs was a complete snake pile.

I began to worry about missing my flight.

Exited the body scanner, collected my items,

I turned around as I put my belt back on.

I chuckled - 

Everyone on their bare feet, fiddling with their belts and loops just as well,

As if we had all just gotten a quickie,

And was hushed out the door after leaving money in a jar.

But it was no time to giggle about.

I've got to run.

Last night A asked if I was excited.

I told her I would be when I got there.

J asked me if flights made me nervous.

I said no, but I could never sleep on a plane.

The sun continued to rise as I sat by the window, overlooking the wing, on the aircraft.

The view was spectacular.

I snapped a few photos as the landscape under my feet shifted.

The anticipation for the take off was similar to that of having my blood drawn.

I am not afraid of needles, but there would still be a sense of uneasiness for the moment.

Actually, it is more of an excitement I would say.

Anyway,
I leaned back in my seat on the plane and stared out the window.
As the aircraft gradually gained its speed on the runway,
I felt as though I was looking at the pint-size bag slowly filling up next to me at a blood drive.

I felt like I was doing something right.

The anxiety and fickleness through planning and packing was over,

The journey has began….

Chicago is a beautiful city.

I must have looked like a small town girl bewildered in a big city when I stepped out of the train station.
I looked around and around,

And I snapped photos in my head as I walked to the hostel.

This is going to be fun.