Getting through the security checkpoint was the most nerve wreaking part of journey today, and only because I was worried I would hold up the line or make some horrible mistake while no one experienced was there to tell me what to do. No such thing occurred! The TSA officers were surprisingly nice. One more cheerful faced man asked me where I was headed. He was surprised to hear me say Sweden, and we chatted while I put my things together. I got to the gate and waited. I was thrilled when Kerri arrived. The trepidation that mingled with excitement was eschewed! I felt more prepared with experienced Kerri next to me. Kerri and I watched our plane pull put to the gate and quickly enough we were boarding. I never knew little walkways connected the cabin to the terminal.
The plane is significantly smaller than I imagined it to be. It reminds me of the charter buses we would take to track meets. this plane is smaller on the inside than a charter bus though. And I can't help from thinking: it has wings! The flight attendant smells wears my grandfather's cologne and has a pleasant manner. The seat belts are the same style of lap belt as my father's bygone grey Oldsmobile. They are exactly like the seat belts of an old amusement park ride.
Take off was incredibly exciting! As the plane turned onto the runway, I knew that if I would have flown when I was younger, I definitely would have told my mom I wanted to drive the planes someday. I'd still tell my mom that. I was invigorated by how fast we drove before leaving the ground. I felt like my open mouthed grin would have lept off my face if it could have. I felt slightly sheepish that someone might see my wonder struck smile; I wasn't sheepish enough to have the power to wipe it off my face though.
For a brief while, I was able to see the Iowa landscape right after takeoff. First I saw the blocks of suburban houses, but soon I was able to see the Iowa landscape from above. The snow covered fields easily revealed where fields ended and where waterways began. It was odd to see trees confined to neat squares, just like the fields. i wondered what the landscape looked like to the first fliers, or at the time the pioneers were first settling the land. The landscape was crossed with much more blue than I expected. I couldn't tell if it was the reflection of the sky on the snow or if it was all water. Cloud cover insured the view. It bore almost complete resemblance to the snow on the ground below the clouds. I could see a sun dog out my window for most of the trip. When we landed in Chicago it was so gloomy below the clouds! I wish I could show you pictures of descending through the clouds.
We've boarded and already everyone is speaking in Swedish.
Another post will follow! We are in the airport waiting for Brian to arrive from London.
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