Woke up at 5am…far too early to be moving (stupid early flight). I got up, showered, and put the last things in my bags. Then at 6am I said goodbye to Sylvia’s apartment and we headed to the train station. We caught one train, rode it for a bit, then waited and caught another train. Then we finally got to the airport. It was different set up than US airports. It was more spread out and most of the shops and restaurants are before you go through the gates. We found the Lufthansa check in desk and I got my tickets and checked my suitcase. Then Sylvia and I wandered around and found somewhere to eat breakfast (we were both super hungry by this point). We stopped at a bakery and got little Brochen sandwiches. They were pretty good. We talked about flying and I told her how in the US I don’t usually check bags anymore I just take 2 carryons. She was surprised by this because she said usually they only allow one. This is when I turned to look at my 2 carryon bags. I asked her if it would be okay, she said yes, but just to be sure I better head to my gate and make sure I have time in case I run into trouble.
So Sylvia and I said goodbye. It was really sad, I’m gonna miss her. It was so good to see her and hang out with her again, we decided we have to try to run into each other again in a few years. I’ve had so much fun with her this week it’s sad to think I may not see her for another 2 years or more. Still we had a great time together and we will stay in touch. Just a bit sad to say goodbye.
I made it through security just fine. I got to my gate and waited a bit till we boarded the plane. I had a nice window seat in a row all by myself. It was very chill. I fell asleep for the first half of the flight. I woke up for cheese sandwiches and orange juice courtesy of Lufthansa. Then I enjoyed the view of the ocean and a bit of music. My ear started hurting really bad but eventually it got better. Other than that I filled out this card for staying in/ coming to the UK. I left 2 spots blank cause I wasn’t sure what to put.
In a bit we landed and I got off the plane. I walked and walked forever till I had to go through a passport check thing and give the card I filled out. The I figured out the one blank, but the other was the address of where I was staying. I didn’t have Chris’ address, or the address’ of the hotels we were staying because I didn’t think I needed them. I hadn’t needed any of the other addresses. The lady started asking me all these questions I didn’t know the exact answers too, like how much money I had here. It was weird and she just kept angrily asking me questions. Then she let me go through and snobbily told me to be more prepared next time (pardon my language, but what a bitch). So now that I felt like a total dumb ass I had to go to the next station where apparently they took my picture (they didn’t tell me that at the time). Then I made my way to the Terminals. I didn’t know which one was right, so I asked and they took my water bottle (jerks). Then I went through security (again!). Then I made my way to the gate. I had to stop at another counter and get my ticket checked and the man ( the first nice person I’ve had contact with in this airport) showed me the picture they took at the early station. Since I didn’t know it was a photo I didn’t smile, and was pissed because of the mean lady (aka I looked horrible). The man laughed and said it looked nice (I couldn’t help but laugh, although I wish I had known and smiled).
Finally I got to gate 8 only to find there are like 7 different gate 8s (8a, 8b, etc.) and the ticket doesn’t specify. I figured I had 3 hours to waste so I would worry about it later. I found a wifi station and plugged in my computer, but the power didn’t work. So I found another station (this one worked). I got on my laptop only to discover the wifi is like $15. No thanks, I can wait. Basically so far, it just hasn’t been my day.
So I hung out in the airport for hours. I bought a smoothie and some chips. Then I looked at the time and realized my plane should have started boarding by then. I went up to a woman who worked in the airport to ask, she informed me I was an hour off…right time zone change :p. So I sat in the airport for another hour till they announced they were delaying the flight a half hour. GREAT! Now not only do I have to spend another half hour in Heathrow (4 and a half hours total at this point), but I have to find a way to tell Chris. I went to find a phone to call mom and see if she could try to contact him, but instead I found a computer set up. You could pay a few pounds for 20 minutes of internet, Perfect!!! I paid, got online, Facebook messaged Chris. He got it so no worries. Then I emailed my folks and got on the plane. Slept through the plane ride then landed got my bags and headed out.
I found Chris easily (thank goodness)! His sister was with him so I met her. Then we scurried to the car so we didn’t have to pay for parking. Then Chris and his sister gave me a driving tour of Belfast. It was brilliant!!! They showed me the big cranes and ship building area, which is where they build Titanic (yet there is no Titanic museum in Northern Ireland). I saw their opera house, arena, old buildings, etc. It was great especially because Chris and his sister had fun and interesting stories to go along with the tour. They informed me how many old buildings were being converted to offices or apartments, and many buildings were being built for offices and apartments, and if you didn’t know what a bilding was it was probably offices or apartments (they were so funny). They showed me the clock tower which according to the story is tilting because all the hookers lean against it (not because of the marshy land, lol). Chris also showed me the biggest RED brick building in Europe (i don’t know what other color the brick might be but still it was funny).
TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!
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