The post that we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: it’s about my journey from Charlotte to Cork! The title is a little misleading because I did really start writing when I was in Montréal, but I started the whole journey when I flew up there from Charlotte the week prior to starting this!
I just arrived in Cork, Ireland for my semester abroad the other day, so naturally I had to document my trip!
This is going to be a very long post spanning 2 days and 4 airports in 4 different countries. I wrote bits and pieces of this sitting in airports, on planes, in my apartment, and anywhere else I could find enough peace to write. I hope it isn’t too complicated to follow! I’d grab a cuppa and get comfy before starting in on this! Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Montréal Airport
I had an amazing trip to Montréal, Quebec! I had the opportunity to spend 6 days with my beautiful girlfriend, Alex. We took a small trip to Quebec City for a couple days, which was amazing and absolutely freezing – even lower than freezing, really. The hotel was beautiful, the crepes and poutine we had were delicious, and the Morrin Centre, which made us take our shoes off and put on Crocs before we could go upstairs, had a fantastic and historic book smell. I am so glad that I got to spend time with her before leaving the continent for my semester abroad.
Montréal to New York Flight
I hated having to leave Alex. We swapped hoodies, so I have hers and it smells like her. I always thought that was a myth publicized by the media, but nope. It’s incredibly comforting to have something that smells like someone you love with you.
I’m excited to study abroad. I know it’ll be a great experience for me. The new culture and scenery will be good for me. I’ll be able to see who I am outside of my normal influences. I’m super psyched to get to Cork, check in for my apartment, go to the shops, and get settled. It all sounds amazing. I just wish it didn’t come at the cost of being even further away from everyone and everything that I’ve ever known.
I ordered orange juice on the plane, and it doesn’t taste terrible. What has Alex done to me? She loves orange juice, and I historically can’t stand it.
I really want McDonald’s hashbrowns. I would much closer to them if the plane hadn’t been so delayed. Now I’m like an extra 30 minutes – 45 minutes away from hashbrowns. Ugh.
Sixteen by Thomas Rhett just came on my shuffle when I was half asleep. For a second, I forgot where I was. I smelled Alex’s sweatshirt and thought she was here with me, but then I remembered that I’d left. That part where Rhett goes: “I’ll be right where I wanna be when I’m 21?” I’m right where I want to be at 21. Travelling the world, finishing my degree, writing, taking photos, spending time with my beautiful girlfriend, all of it. I’m right where I want to be.
New York Airport
Okay, I’m writing this on the plane technically but we haven’t left the gate yet, so I’m counting it as the airport.
When I got here, I had to go through some security nonsense. I took a small train from one part of the airport to another and then go through security again, which made me very cranky and stressed.
I called all of my people from the airport once I finally got to my gate: my mom, grandma, and Ani; my dad and Terri; and Alex.
I had to admit that I was a little nervous – and I still am. I think it’s a lack of rest lately and the stress of moving over the Atlantic Ocean.
New York to London Flight
Well, I’ve been on this plane for about 3 hours now. I definitely started it with the beginnings of a panic attack, but I’ve since calmed down. I took some motion sickness medication and some downers. My ears are still messed up, I guess, so that really sucked. My left ear wouldn’t pop or do anything and hurt so badly that I actually asked the flight attendant if there was any ibuprofen or similar substance aboard. She had to put down my age and so I told her, to which she replied: “wow, really? You look younger. You’ll appreciate that one day!” Awkward.
Anyways, so yeah I’m just over halfway to London. I spent the first hour watching a movie and the second trying to sleep so I didn’t have to feel my ear pain. I slept through the dinner service, which is fine because it didn’t seem like they had a lot to offer vegetarian-wise. The past hour has consisted of playing games on the little tv screen. It has movies, games, tv shows, music, everything! There’s even a remote for it and the back of the remote is a full keyboard. So weird. Cool, but weird.
I’m currently debating whether I should try to sleep more or watch The Aristocats. It was the first movie option to pop up for Disney, and it reminded me of Alex. We both love that movie and we’ve watched it together before. I think I could do with a nice cuppa and singing cats, especially cuddled up next to my girlfriend.
It seems as though I’m going through blips of panic every so often. It’ll be better once I’m there and the travel stress is over, I think.
I got another orange juice. I feel frightened for my health.
The guy behind me has been hitting my seat consistently every few seconds for the past 3 hours and I’m so over it. I don’t think he’s kicking it. I think he’s trying to use the touchscreen on the tv. Use the damn remote.
The plane bathroom smells really good. That sounds absurd, but seriously. It smells like flowers, except like real, nice flowers and not like artificial flowers. I may be hallucinating. I am a little tired, after all.
It’s 11:07pm EST, so I would at least be in bed playing on my phone if I were back home. I think I’m going to try to nap.
Heathrow Airport
I slept the rest of the flight. The Heathrow airport is a very nice airport. It’s clean and aesthetically pleasing. I had to take a bus and go through security again, but it was straightforward and the people were nice. I have another hour until they assign a gate to my flight, so I’m writing and eating snacks.
Okay, so now I’m waiting on my flight to have a gate. So far, I’ve eaten one of the mints that I nicked from the Melting Pot after dinner on my birthday. It’s 8:10am now, so I’ve got 45 minutes more to wait for the gas number. At this point, my hands may be raw from my laptop bag because it’s heavy. I can’t wait to get to my apartment and put everything down. I wish I could check in and then sleep, but that would screw my internal clock up even more. Plus, I don’t have bedding. Struggles.
Apparently, one of the other students from NC State is here too. He’s at border control, though. It’s just nice to know that there’s at least one vaguely familiar face in this airport.
There’s no WiFi coverage from the plane so I can’t let anyone know that I’m leaving. I should’ve thought this through better. I’ll definitely get a new SIM card as soon as I can so I can keep in touch. It’s 9:27am here, so 4:27am for everyone that I left behind.
London to Cork Flight
Two girls in the row in front of me are also going to UCC. The one directly in front of me is from South Carolina, so that’s cool. I’d introduce myself, but it’s awkward around seats and I’m also a little anxious right now with the whole traveling thing.
I’m on the aisle and there’s someone at the window, but there’s no one between us and it’s wonderful.
I slept the whole way.
Cork Airport
Most of the passengers on my flight are studying at UCC, too. It’s cool. I said hello to a few of them. Nothing too special. I did split a taxi with one girl and the driver told me a lot about the grocery stores. Did you know that Lidl and Aldi are owned and run by brothers? Plus, Aldi pays appropriate living wages to employees! The more you know!
Cork, Ireland
I’ve been trying to figure out how to end this post. I don’t really know what to do.
The taxi driver told me about how Blarney Castle is only 10 kilometers north of the city and it’s only €7.00 for a return ticket on the bus. Mulling things over, I don’t know if I should scope out some places before my family or Alex gets here to visit or if I should be able to share the surprise.
I had dinner and drinks with the other NC State students at Wetherspoons – The Linen Weaver (the Spoons). I think we’re all going to be pretty good friends, or at least have a group of people to hang out with if I feel like socializing! That’s good because I need some support here.
When I got home, my roommates were here. There’s Caroline, Louise, Ben, Logan, and Zach. They seem really cool. We’ll see how it goes!
Looking Ahead
I’m very excited for the rest of my semester abroad here in Cork, Ireland! I went out and bought some necessities, like bedding, food, and toiletries. It’s nice to be able to take a shower, eat a meal, take a nap… Yeah, I’m being pretty boring these days.
I’m not necessarily looking forward to actual classwork and responsibility, but orientation was interesting. Basically, I’ve never appreciated NC State’s system of course registration and general way of doing things more than I do now that I’ve seen how UCC does things. I did also hear a lot of comments from people about how we’ve escaped Trump by moving here, which I can’t really argue with. Did you know that there are approximately 1184 cups of tea drunk per person on average each year in Ireland?
I’m ready to see how this semester goes and to experience the adventures that I’ll have. Stay tuned here to make sure you are up to date on my life and how things go!
The song of the day is one that always reminds me of Alex. I had it on repeat while I was on the plane.