Flying Solo

The day started off good, I got all of my last minute items packed away and did a final weight check. Everything was well under 70 lbs, that is the very good thing about going to Brazil..2 (70lb) bags is a girls biggest dream for a two month trip! When arriving at RIC I found United and there was a very nice lady who helped me with checking in my bags. She asked me a lot of questions prior to weighing my bags. My heart sank for the first time when she said that I am allowed only one 50lb bag, and then I calmly said that my final destination was Brazil. All was well after that first misunderstanding. The next time that my heart sank in to my stomach was when she could not read my visa and it’s expiration date. For those of you who have been through the process of a visa (IT IS NOT FUN!). She made me worry that I wasn’t okay to go to the plane in order to go to Brazil, she kindly asked another employee to read it and see what the expiration date. A HUGE weight was lifted off of my shoulders when finding out that the visa does not expire until 2019! PRAISE THE LORD. After all of that madness, mom, nay, BaPa, and dad all waited with me before going through security. It was a very emotional time with the family; I don’t realize how much I will miss them (even though they drive me crazyyy) until it’s time to leave for a while. You learn a lot about yourself when you are saying good-bye. After tears of happiness and sadness and nervousness mixed together, I made my way to security where they would check all of my bags. I boarded my first plane to Newark at 4:30pm and arrive here at 6:00pm. Not a bad flight but it was the tinniest airplane that I have ever been on. The side that I was on was a one-seated side. And the other side was a two seated side (hopefully I can get a picture to upload!). You have to duck when entering through the door and you better pray that one of your bags does not smack someone in the face! The aisle was the hardest part to get through (my seat was right at the wings). It was an awesome flight! Thank you for your continued prayers as I travel further. Security for the second time only had to happen because I did not get the memo that there was a bus that would take you to terminal C (airtrain was the other option). The only down fall is that there is another security to go through! You learn a lot when flying solo! I am at my gate now and I am waiting here until the sign no longer says Barcelona and it says SAO PAULO! The emotions are flowing! I am so so so excited but I know I will miss home too! (I won’t want to come home though!). Anyways, I will stop rambling! Feel free to leave comments! I love hearing what people have to say! And again, thank you for praying and for supporting me! I love you all!

xoxo
Rachel