Jet Lag

Well friends, I made it. I’m in Sevilla. I started my journey yesterday and I feel like I traveled around the world even though I only made it through one hemisphere–Omaha-Newark-Brussels-Sevilla. I’m bleary-eyed and delirious, but I haven’t decided if I’m deliriously happy or just deliriously tired – probably a little bit of both. I left Omaha with only a few reservations. It’s always impossibly hard to say goodbye to my little inner circle of family and friends in the 402 – it absolutely never and will never get any easier. I have lived at least 500 miles (or more) away from all of them for the past five years, but each time I have to say goodbye, I have to fight to keep the tears from flowing. I am so lucky to have the privilege of actually missing these people as much as I do. Let’s take a step back from the sappy stuff –

For as many people that travel every day (hey, dad), you would think that this so-called Star Alliance (United and Continental airlines) would try and make their airplanes a little bit more accommodating. For these purposes, we’re going to refer to them as the Sucky Alliance. First of all, Star Alliance sounds like some kind of pseudo boy scout wannabe troop that never quite made it to the big leagues. While everyone was selling cookies and ridiculously overpriced popcorn, these guys were selling the off-brand pretzels that nobody buys anyway. There are only a few places the Sucky Alliance goes to hire their employees and it’s either jail, a street corner or therapy. Every single one of their employees are pissed off. The domestic flights are painful. However, the international flights were a completely different story. After a quick and nutritious meal from the Oriental Express and some airport store shopping, I boarded the plane for my flight from Newark to Brussels. At almost seven hours, this was going to be the longest leg of my trip and I was not looking forward to sitting in a cramped space. However, the Sucky Alliance clearly got the memo about keeping their customers happy on the long flights – the flight attendants were polite and helpful and the plane was clean. I was even more pleasantly surprised when the two passengers sitting next to be turned out to be two men, Ben and Sven from Brussels; two best friends, architects and on their way home from studying designs in the U.S. Ben and Sven were each fluent in Dutch, French, Spanish, English, and German – God Bless the European Union – I had to get my game face on so I popped an Ambien, and exchanged stories with the two gentlemen over our beef curry dinners. Thank you to the wonder drug that is Ambien, I fell asleep and woke up about 45 minutes before touchdown.

I got off the plane in Brussels and was feeling rather nervous about going through Customs.  In my experience, you have to claim your luggage, go through customs, and then re-check your luggage. I had two suitcases the size of two mini vans (under the 50lb limit–47 and 49.5 respectively DAD), one purse (more like a burlap sack considering its size), a pillow and a backpack. Needless to say, I was ready to just donate some items to the good people of Belgium instead of trying to carry any of that through Customs, but THEY DIDN’T MAKE ME DO IT! I was psyched. I went through customs without laying a finger on either of my suitcases, woop woop! Considering it was time for breakfast, I decided upon a tiny kiosk that sold bakery items, salads, sandwiches, and – wait for it – the “easy pizza” (see below). The easy pizza became my first meal in Europe and I toasted myself on making it over the ocean blue. The easy pizza was a slice of pizza but rolled up like a taco. Normally, I eat my food like someone might take it away from me, so I found this to be an absolutely brilliant idea.

Nom Nom. I polished this baby off in about 3.2 seconds, and soon after was FINALLY on my way to Sevilla. Brussels Airlines is a Man among boys. The plane was pristine and the flight attendants know about 29 different languages – Star Alliance, take a hint. As soon as I sat down, I was really starting to feel the time change and fell asleep quickly. This wasn’t much of a deep sleep, but I definitely needed the extra Z’s. I woke up to the PA announcement that we were 17 minutes outside of Sevilla and couldn’t believe that I was almost there. Finally, about 27 hours after my initial flight from Omaha to Newark, I touched down in Sevilla, España.

To save time and your attention span, my building is beautiful and in a different part of the city than where my first residence was. I’m across the river and closer to the center of the city. From my building to the actual center of the city is about a 20 minute walk, and it’s an additional 20 from there to my Señora’s. This is not out of the ordinary – everybody walks here. I live with 11 other people. There are 3 kitchens, 5 bathrooms and we all get our own bedroom. The center of the building is an open air atrium and I’m currently listening to some of my roommates sing along to the Grease soundtrack. I have only met 3 of the 11 others and as far as I know, I am the only American. I have met 2 boys, Sebastian from Belgium, Joe from Wales, and two girls, Leia from Switzerland. They’re all very friendly and if it wasn’t for my overwhelming exhaustion I would definitely be joining in on the fun.  My room is very, very small, but cozy. I’m very lucky because I have internet and this is a hugely, huge advantage. After unpacking and a quick shower, I decided to explore the city I love so much in favor of going straight to bed.

I walked around Sevilla in a daze, soaking up the sun and aside from a few pictures on my cell phone, I completely forgot to take pictures. I headed straight to Mari Carmen’s (my Señora) and only stopped to buy some toiletries and a toothbrush – gotta keep up the quality on those pearly whites!! I was too tired to do too much sightseeing, but I’m looking forward to grabbing drinks next to the río and really taking the time to delve into what this city has to offer when my energy level is back in business.

When I finally saw my Señora, it was like seeing my second family. We have been pen pals ever since I left and she treated me just like my mother would. We caught up on the last three years and what my plans were for the summer. I was sad to hear that her mother and my beloved abuela passed away this past January; she was 98. My Señora apologized for not telling me sooner (no pasa nada), but explained that she didn’t want to relay such bad news in a letter. This woman was one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met and I am so thankful for the short time I was able to spend with her. On a happier note, there is a new member of the family; Lola. This was the funniest dog I have ever seen and I wanted to take her home with me.

I left Mari with lunch plans for tomorrow and two grocery bags full of food. I’m so happy to be back in Sevilla and really looking forward to the next few months. I did get a little bit teary eyed on my walk home, but I’m going to chalk that up to sheer exhaustion. I’m ready to watch some True Blood episodes (Vampire Life – Team Damon) and hit the hay. To all my friends, I love you, to my family, I  miss you. Blondie is ready for bed.

Talk to you soon!

L. Wood$