The “B” team goes to Mérida - 1999
MARK: The Mérida trip was not only the first time I left the country, it was the first time I got on an airplane. My dad drove me from Sheldon down to Omaha and we spent the night at my uncle’s house. I couldn’t sleep. I drank a couple of beers but they didn’t help. I finally dropped off around five and slept for a couple of hours. Back then people could accompany you to your gate, and my dad and uncle did. My belly was full of butterflies.
Taking off was an experience, man. Up and away. I sat by an older couple and they wished me luck on my journey. At O’Hare I located the group. The only person I knew was Stephanie, so I’m pretty sure I stuck around her. Also I believe Janet was there from the Study Abroad department.
When we got on the plane to Miami I was sitting by Susan. We talked and got to know each other. When we were landing in Miami, it was night. I mentioned I had never seen a plane land from the inside and Susan, who was in a window seat, graciously switched with me. “I’ve flown dozens of times,” she said. I will never forget that act of kindness!
In Miami I believe I shared a room with Tim. We all met Rachel and Nahkiah at the hotel and Rachel and Stephanie called a meeting. As soon as the meeting was over we went to the bar. Not all of us were 21 but we were in a dive bar, one of those bars where peanut shells are all over the floor, so it didn’t matter. I remember playing pool with Karl and Jamie.
The Miami airport, man. That was a fucking scene. The whole world is at the Miami airport. I remember going to exchange for some bolivares and being amazed at all the currencies. I remember Rachel telling us not to exchange too much in Miami because they charged so much. “You will get a better rate in Venezuela,” she said. But it felt so cool to have those bolivares. It was like Monopoly money.
I remember Tim and Jake, I think, being super excited because they were going to be in the smoking section of the plane. U.S. airlines had been smoke-free for years. As I understand, they came to regret that excitement. :))))
A few hours later we were in Caracas. Maiquetia. Wow. The Departures and Arrivals signs were still analog in January of 1999. Three things stand out from the airport. One, I ate at a Burger King. I ate at that Burger King every damn time I flew through Caracas! Two, I remember the buseta that took us from International to Domestic. Salsa music was blaring and there were palm trees. I had never seen a palm tree before.
And three--and this I remember very clearly--I remember Jake asking Rachel, “So, how do I tell people in Spanish, ‘My name is Jake’?” “Oh my God,” I thought, “this guy’s got some cojones, traveling to a country and barely knowing the language.” Jake would prove me right over and over again.:)))
Then we got on the flight to Mérida. And I’ll let someone else take over for a while….
Taking off was an experience, man. Up and away. I sat by an older couple and they wished me luck on my journey. At O’Hare I located the group. The only person I knew was Stephanie, so I’m pretty sure I stuck around her. Also I believe Janet was there from the Study Abroad department.
When we got on the plane to Miami I was sitting by Susan. We talked and got to know each other. When we were landing in Miami, it was night. I mentioned I had never seen a plane land from the inside and Susan, who was in a window seat, graciously switched with me. “I’ve flown dozens of times,” she said. I will never forget that act of kindness!
In Miami I believe I shared a room with Tim. We all met Rachel and Nahkiah at the hotel and Rachel and Stephanie called a meeting. As soon as the meeting was over we went to the bar. Not all of us were 21 but we were in a dive bar, one of those bars where peanut shells are all over the floor, so it didn’t matter. I remember playing pool with Karl and Jamie.
The Miami airport, man. That was a fucking scene. The whole world is at the Miami airport. I remember going to exchange for some bolivares and being amazed at all the currencies. I remember Rachel telling us not to exchange too much in Miami because they charged so much. “You will get a better rate in Venezuela,” she said. But it felt so cool to have those bolivares. It was like Monopoly money.
I remember Tim and Jake, I think, being super excited because they were going to be in the smoking section of the plane. U.S. airlines had been smoke-free for years. As I understand, they came to regret that excitement. :))))
A few hours later we were in Caracas. Maiquetia. Wow. The Departures and Arrivals signs were still analog in January of 1999. Three things stand out from the airport. One, I ate at a Burger King. I ate at that Burger King every damn time I flew through Caracas! Two, I remember the buseta that took us from International to Domestic. Salsa music was blaring and there were palm trees. I had never seen a palm tree before.
And three--and this I remember very clearly--I remember Jake asking Rachel, “So, how do I tell people in Spanish, ‘My name is Jake’?” “Oh my God,” I thought, “this guy’s got some cojones, traveling to a country and barely knowing the language.” Jake would prove me right over and over again.:)))
Then we got on the flight to Mérida. And I’ll let someone else take over for a while….
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