I don't really have a band. For some reason when I got my blog I had a discussion with Casey and decided that if I had a band, which I don't, I would name it that. (for multiple reasons, i guess if you're curious you can ask.) So that's the name of my blog.
After I got on the bus in Abilene my day and days after went much better than the few days before and up until we left. So if you were worried about me you can feel better. I'll admit I was a bit of a tyrant trying to get ready (If you think I'm being melodramatic ask my family or just anyone within a 5 mile radius of me.) I apologize.
I really did think that I made the wrong decision about going to Oxford and had almost decided that I should just throw my hands up, get off the bus and promise to pay my parents back for the wasted money with the jobs I was going to get during my new free time this semester. However, besides the small scare right at the first when I was the only one on the bus without a paper ticket in my hand and I was told I was supposed to have gotten my tickets from the agent in the mail, everything went smooth and I was reassured about my plans. (turned out they were E-tickets. silly me)
By the time we had made it to Baird one of the guys on the bus had already pulled out a bottle of sparkling apple cider and was passing out cups to the entire back half of the bus. By the time we made it to Putnam, he had managed to cover himself, the guy next to him, and the floor with sticky cider and we were all hurting from laughter but we did all have something to drink.
There were no problems at the airport, and even Casey made it smoothly (well... at DFW anyways) with no problems but her fear of airport staff. Casey was also pretty worried because she had the middle seat and I had the isle, and she repeatedly mentioned that she hoped it wasn't some weirdo. Well it wasn't. But it was a woman named Nanette who is now our best friend, and first good connection. Let's just say that we got about an hour of sleep that flight and the first 4 and a half hours were pretty much booked... and I know all about Nanette. But it's OK because we now have a two-page guide to Dublin, good connections, and a photography job when we get back.
Seemed like all I've talked about is Casey's fears but this one is necessary to note and she just feels insecure about airports (felt insecure, her fears were all conquered.) By the time we got our breakfast boxes Casey was already starting to panic about what we were supposed to say at Customs... and i wasn't really worried about it but I will admit they did a terrible job at orientation when it came to what we were actually supposed to say. They gave us a few ideas about what not to say and what we might, could, maybe, possibly, want to probably say, but very little about what would actually keep us from getting arrested. I wasn't worried about it mostly because I knew that we weren't doing anything wrong, and what's the worst that could happen? Interrogation? Being sent home? Most of which I believed wouldn't happen, and the others I'm too stubborn to care.
But Casey, Casey was worried. So we get in line and wait and I go first, even though we wouldn't end up in the same line, I went first to make her feel better. It's my turn and I get up to the desk hand him my passport and landing card, which I made sure Casey had open and in the proper order, had to answer more questions than they prepped for and had to pull out the letter they said we wouldn't need but I made it through... just in time to turn around and see Casey being pointed into the holding cell. At which point, being the terrible friend I am, I laughed hysterically, and between gasps of breathed tried to explain to the confused people in my group why that was so funny to me. I waited for at least ten minutes trying not to let Casey see me laugh every time I looked over. Nanette was angry, I wasn't sure she wasn't going to go get her out herself, and possibly take out the Customs officer who put her there. (and she is the type of lady who could, #1, and get away with it #2, See, really good connection.) I finally ended up going to get our luggage while Adrian Dennington waited for her... and it was still at least another 15 minutes. After she came down I was proud to see that she was no longer scared, but ticked off. Thats more like it. I really enjoyed seeing it, and hearing about how he demeaned her (and what we were doing), and the things she called him. Casey is becoming a cultured individual. We did agree that it was probably best that it was her not me who got detained, and that she's a better person because of it.
After the airport the bus ride to Oxford and everything else went smoothly.
I will say I've caught myself WAY too many times taking pictures of things because I know my mom will want to see. I'm supposed to be a college student. Anyways, things are going well. It took me long enough to get this post done that my next one will probably be about today, but I probably won't get it done till Sunday. I feel like thats just going to be how it works.
Now, on to those pictures for mother.
CoCo is not very happy with me for leaving.
Adrian and Daley waiting in DFW
Casey and Nanette
picture from the backseat of the bus in London
The bus ride to Oxford
overcast
Casey enjoying our new view (we got the best room in either house.)
this is what we see
whooohoo our rooom!
a view of the window again
front view of 10 Canterbury Rd Oxford, England.
