Day 1 - Travel Day!

Ok ladies and gentlemen, the much anticipated first blog post of the Virginia Tech EMBA Latin America International Residency Trip. The trip started when Kaylan and I left Arlington, VA at 1pm for Dulles International Airport. Once arriving and having to said all our goodbyes, I joined a couple fellow students at the American Airlines check-in counter. The talk amongst ourselves was mostly holiday and what everyone did over our 5 week break, but the conversation eventually turned more to who brought how many bags. As I patiently stood in line with fellow classmate Deborah, I noticed that she had 3 bags total, similar to what I packed. But, as we compared what we both packed, we noticed Steve another cohort member who only packed one bag and probably was the smallest bag I have ever seen for a trip lasting 12 days. He brushed us off by saying he was well prepared which we both knew was the case. He has been all over the world, so he is a veteran packer.

So once everyone made it through security, we had quite sometime before our first leg of our trip to the big D (Dallas, TX). Where better to waste time in an airport than the local pub, Mamma & Ema' I believe it was called. While sitting there, everyone talked about the excitement we all had for our big trip to Latin America. While sitting there though, Jim did have a run in with an 80 year old man who got pretty bitter when the man couldn't seem to get by Jim and some bags. I think the quote was, "thanks a lot for nothing buddy". I saw it all, Jim did no wrong.

The flight from Dulles to Dallas was only 30 mins. late and nothing exciting happened on our flight other than finding out that classmate, Kristi likes the middle seat even if there is no one on the aisle. Oh and she can fall asleep pretty darn quickly.

Once arriving in Dallas, the group didn't have much time so we all split up and grabbed some dinner. A small group of us fell upon an Irish pub to grab a quick sandwich and salads. Well, Steve ordered some wings ("how many wings are in your 1/2 dozen order?"). Classic line if I have ever heard one. That will have us going for awhile.

"Now boarding, flight 945 to Santiago, Chile." I walked on board and sat in 12A. Right next to a 70 year old lady in 12B. It seemed the rest of the group was further back in the plane for this leg, which was fine by me cause on a 10 hour red eye flight, the only thing I want to accomplish is some sleep. I know if I sat with other classmate, this would be a little difficult. Just ask fellow classmate Ameer. Sounds like the bread that was served at dinner was tossed off his melon a few times. I didn't take a dinner on board just because we had eaten right before, but the woman next to me got some beef plate. It look extremely weird and smelled funny. I also refused a cocktail as I knew if I drank more I would have to use the restroom and since I was in the window sit, I wasn't about to be that guy asking the lady to get up every couple hours. I was on a mission to snooze. Before dozing off though, I will tell you what my 70 year old Chilean friend ordered from the flight attendant. 4 mini bottles of scotch, 2 cups of ice and one cup of water. I felt like I was Tom Cruise working @ Cocktail & Dreams. This lady was whipping up some drinks. Anyway, I am off to sleep for a few hours before I land in Santiago, Chile. I will be back on tomorrow with some even better reflections and stories as our trip has just begun.