Sunday June, 17th

I wrote this when I first landed but have been having Internet problems!

I’m in Europe! I landed in CPH around 10:45 but have to hangout for a while. It’s about noon now.  The next shuttle to DIS doesn’t leave until 1:30.

            I liked the airport in Canada much better than Philly, but when I said something about it being nice to the lady behind me she scoffed and started talking about how bad the service was.  That may be, but they have an art gallery.  In the airport! They also had an installation board (not sure what it’s for) but it was cool.  I even walked out of the airport and wandered around in front of it for awhile.  When I got bored I went through security very early and, as in Philly, what’s behind security is nicer than the area that everyone can go to.  I decided to go to the Bacardi bar. What the heck, why not? As it turns out, I sat down next to 5 other guys who were on my flight.  They were all older, but were going to Copenhagen, Poland and Germany for the EuroCup? (Soccer).  It was interesting to talk to them and see the differences in language.  I said I went to Muhlenberg College and they thought that meant I was in high school since it wasn’t a university.  Oh, also they knew how to say my name and thought it was weird that my name was Colette but I was American. Then, as I was getting in line to board the plane, a kid saw my DIS tag and said he was going as well! Not 2 minutes later, 2 more kids came up and said they were going too.  That was comforting, but I lost them soooo not anymore. Lol.

            I keep thinking today is still Saturday! That was a looong flight.  We took off on time (8:55).  The only problem was that when I got on the plane they told me that the overhead compartments near my row were all full so I had to put my way further forward on the plan.  So I didn’t want to be obnoxious and try to get anything out of it during flight.  So I couldn’t brush my teeth. Ugh, gross. For dinner we could have either chicken and rice or pasta with meat sauce.  I had the pasta.  There were a lot of movies available to watch, but I started with The Vow.  The man next to me was very nice again, he was travelling to Sweden for business but it was his first time travelling to Europe. Ever! He was 47! By the time I was all settled it was already 11:00 and the stewardess came around and told me to close the shade because the sun would be coming up soon. Um, what? It’s 11:00 PM! But I peeked out when I woke up a few hours later there really was already a sunrise! At that point I think it was about 1:00 AM, US time. After dozing for another hour, I couldn’t sleep anymore so I watched 21 Jump Street (I guess Air Canada is a fan of Channing Tatum) and took pictures of clouds lol.  It was beautiful and sunny in the air…but then we descended through the clouds and it was overcast here and about 66 degrees.  I haven’t been outside yet though.  Just landing was beautiful! I can’t wait to go see the landscape…I’m pretty sick of airports to say the least.

            So now I’m hanging out in the only Starbucks in Copenhagen, except I haven’t withdrawn any kroners yet sooo I’m not sure if I can even get anything.  I don’t know if I’ve ever actually heard anyone speak Danish, but there was just an adorable little redhead chatting away to her mother at the table next to me and it was beautiful.  So was the French on the airplanes.  So far that’s not a problem, though.  All the signs in the airport are in both Danish and English.

            Well, right now I could go for a nice cozy bed, but I know I need to make it through orientation, get my phone, unpack, and begin to explore!

These are some random little rock statues I found outside the airport in Canada!

Hanging out in Toronto Pearson airport! This is an adventure in itself. First, I had to go through customs. I was getting annoyed because the mother and child in front of me were chatting with the security guard for so long and he was asking them questions like "Oh, where are you going?" and joking around with them.  But then I thought, this was great, I would be able to ask him where to go and he would be nice. Wrong.  He was all business and told me very shortly where to go. Mayhaps it was because I am American? I guess I'll never know.

So after figuring out that I do not have to claim my luggage and re-check it (they told me I didn't have to, but I stood at the claim area to make sure my bag wasn't circling around) I found the correct floor where I need to go to connect to Copenhagen. Since I have to kill some time, I did some homework and talked to my mommy.  The people were the best to watch, though.  There was a girl on the phone (maybe it was French? It sounded very heavy and angry, but not like German), a Canadian couple, and a few groups that went by.  Not to sound racist, but why are there so many Asians here?  I'm currently sitting behind a group of lawyers, listening to them complaining about how they can't claim Pro Bona (I think?) and that they didn't go to law school to not be able to support life.

I found a small cafe and got sustenance (they gave me 2 graham crackers on the plane and I ate breakfast at 6:30; it is now 2:30).  She said $7.77 and I realized I hadn't asked her if she accepted American Money.  Good thing I had a Canadian $20 on me!

I can already see how much Americans assume things and expect everything to be a convenience to them. It's something I'm going to have to get used to.  I'm going to go kill more time and then navigate Toronto Pearson airport - part 2.

ps - Just had an awkward moment where a passing worker asked me how I was doing and I replied 'Good thanks!' before realizing that she was talking to another worker behind her...I think it's safe to say that I have reinforced anyone's beliefs about 'stupid Americans.'

Today's the day! I start off my voyage going to Canada and hanging out with the cool Canadians for 9 hours. I have those 9 hours to figure out how to get from gate f to gate e. Hopefully it is a suitable amount of time. I plan on learning Danish and making a small Danish dictionary for myself during that time.  But for the most part, I shall be the lost one wandering around and asking anyone and everyone where to go.  Then: To Copenhagen!