Day of Delays

This morning I woke up at 3:10 before my alarm went off. I was so excited to leave that I didn’t even want to procrastinate on getting up and getting ready to go. I got dressed, grabbed my bags and headed downstairs. My mom was also awake and was kindly making tea for me to bring.

Group Shot at El Cerrito High School

We arrived at El Cerrito High School at around 3:40 just in time to check in with Don. Don weighed my bag and I was relieved that his scale reported that it was only 38 pounds. Don had also made some nice bright luggage tags that I put on my luggage. After I was done I went and waited off to the side with my mom. When everybody had arrived and gotten their bags checked Don handed out copies of the itinerary and contact information. He gave us lots more information on what to expect and more background.

Landing in Charlette,
North Carolina

At this point it was time for the pictures. It was a little bit early in the morning to be having a photo-shoot but we managed. It only took a little coaxing from Don to get a full row of smiling faces. After we were done with photos in two different locations Don explained how we would be handling receipts for meals. Once we were finished with all the business we still had a half hour to wait before the airport shuttle arrived.

Once we got onto the shuttle we were all able to relax. There was no traffic so we made it to SFO at 5:30. We quickly checked our bags, got through security, and made it to our gate. After arriving at our gate we still had time to spare so we got some food and used the restroom.

Gabrielle Waiting for the Rental Car 

We were all sitting together so I got a chance to talk more with my fellow cohort members. The flight was fairly pleasant. I got lots of reading done and caught up on my sleep. As we were nearing Charlotte, NC, where we had a connecting flight, the pilot announced that we were going to be delayed because of air traffic caused by a thunderstorm. This worried me a little because we only had an hour before our connecting flight was scheduled to depart. Once we had finally landed and gotten to an open gate we were actually relieved to find that our flight to Providence had also been delayed. This was good news because it meant that we had enough time to get all the way from B12, our arrival gate, to E13, our departure gate. The walk felt great because it gave me an opportunity to stretch my legs.

After arriving at the gate we still had time before boarding so I ate my salad. I was very excited because I got a window seat on the second flight. We were on a very small plane and I got to sit next to Cindy which was a lot of fun. This flight was much roomier and quieter than the last.

Our First View of Campus 

We landed in Providence at 7:30 only one hour behind schedule. Even though we had a lot of delays it was a fairly easy travel day. A few delays were a small price to pay for finally arriving at such a highly anticipated destination. We were all so relieved and excited to finally pick up our bags and step out into the fresh air of Providence.

Ms. Neal was able to secure the rental van quickly and then we made our way off to the Brown campus. The ride was quiet because we were all very tired from our journey but you could still sense the excitement of everybody with their eyes glued to the windows.

Once we reached campus we had to check in. At this point it was already 8:30.  After we checked in we got to make our way to our dorm rooms.  This was by far the most exciting part of the day for me. Getting into my room made me realize that I had finally made it.  I had made it to the place that I would spend the next two weeks of my life, learn so much, and have so many new experiences. My roommate wasn’t here yet but I could tell by the cute fire shaped signs on the door that her name was Isabella. I can’t wait to meet her tomorrow.

After we all brought our luggage to our rooms we were going to head out to dinner. We were all starving and very excited for our burgers. Unfortunately, the keys to the van were nowhere to be found. It was pitch black outside so we were all wondering around with our phone flashlights out trying to see where they could have gone. After about 20 minutes of searching and 10 mosquito bites we decided it was time to change plans and walk to dinner. We ended up eating at an Indian food place called Kebab and Curry which was delicious. 

After dinner we speed walked back to the dorms so that we would make the 11:00 curfew. Luckily we all made it. Now it’s time to get unpacked so that I can be ready for breakfast bright and early tomorrow morning.