Solo Flight

Boarding Pass to O'Hare 

December 31, 2014 to January 1, 2015

Though this was my first time flying alone, once I got past security all my worries seemed to disappear. Maybe my brain was just locked into sharp concentration by adrenaline, or maybe I realized there really wasn't much to worry about, who's to say. Either way, I made my way to the gate without incident and prepared to wait for the first leg of my journey. I didn't know I would be waiting quite so long though, by the time my flight actually left, it was an hour and a half late. Not only had the previous flight boarded late, but the bag scanner used by the ground crew to count checked luggage wasn't working because it was too cold so they had to count the bags manually. You'd think in Minnesota they'd have gear for all weathers. Anyway, the same malfunction occurred with my flight, delaying us further. The flight itself was uneventful I assume, though I was asleep for the majority of the fifty minute flight. My only issue, a slight one, was with the size of the plane. It was the smallest plane I've ever been on. To give some inclination of the size, I couldn't stand up straight when getting to my seat  because the ceiling above it was too low. I'm only slightly uncomfortable in small spaces, so it was only a mild annoyance.

When I arrived in O'Hare, I had to go from Terminal 2 to the International Terminal 5 which meant a short train ride. I was somewhat concerned because I'd only received one boarding pass back in MN and needed one to get to the gate. I ended up just standing in the (GIANT) Aer Lingus line where they kindly printed out one for me. The one downside to changing terminals was that I had to go through security again which was a pain, but such is the nature of travelling. I picked up some tea and headed to the gate to wait the two hours until boarding began. While waiting for my row to be called, I filled out the necessary landing card, the process of which was probably way more nerve-wracking than it needed to be; this was mostly because it asked for an address in Ireland but I wasn't completely sure, I was irrationally concerned they wouldn't let me into the country, a worry which lasted right up until I  walked up to the Immigration window in Dublin. 

The flight to Dublin was mostly uneventful as well. Aside from limited leg room (not a great feeling for my knees) it was pretty comfortable. It helped that I was on an aisle seat and there was no one in the seat next to me. I had promised myself that I would sleep on the plane (I was awake for the entirety of my last transcontinental flight which was unhelpful the next day) but that is more easily said than done with a console in front of you that shows you many magical things including but not limited to The Lego Movie (I'd say 2 stars?) and Big Bang Theory. After dinner, delicious shepherd's pie, I did try to sleep and apparently was finally successful. I remember looking at the map right before putting my eye-mask on and we were still over Canada, so I must have slept for a few hours at least. When I woke up we were about an hour from landing. The last half hour was a bit dicey with some turbulence. This was the only time on either flight that I felt motion sickness for which I am thankful. Unfortunately the turbulence started shortly after we were served our breakfasts which was not helpful. Breathing slowly seemed to keep everything calm though, so we landed without any incident. Though the flight was meant to arrive at 9 am Dublin time, favorable conditions allowed for us to arrive at 7:55 am. 

It was interesting walking into the Terminal as it was hard to believe that I was walking into an International Airport. Perhaps Terminal 2 (the one I arrived  at) is different from Terminal 1, but upon entering the tiny hallway and winding passages that eventually led to Immigration, I felt like it was in a local one-horse airport.  I think part of it was that each gate seemed to have it's own access to the main terminal. Plus it was 8am so the airport was virtually dead. Once I got through Immigration, they let me into the country have no fear, the appearance was a little more International Airportish. Luckily once the bags finally came down, which in itself took about fifteen minutes, I didn't have to wait very long for my duffel bag.I checked to make sure that all my locks were in order and headed out to find my bus. 

End of the first post. I wouldn't want anyone getting bored no would I?