From Dulles to Dublin

10 Sensory Images

1) The hug that lasted a little longer than usual from my mom as she starts to tear up before I leave as she repeats “be safe” and “I love you.”

2) Placing my chin on the top of Haley’s head as we squeeze each other tightly and the look in her eyes as we part and go our separate ways.

3) The man next to me on the flight rocking forward and backward, frustrated right before he stands up and turns around to yell at the woman behind us to tell her son to stop kicking his seat.

4) The immediate sense of frigid air when the plane got off the ground. I felt as thought they were preparing us for what was to come in Ireland.

5) I was almost asleep when I felt a cold splash of water on my leg as I dropped my cup and it spilled on my pants and pillow. This dampness made it difficult to fall back to sleep.

6) Glancing out the window about 20 minutes before we landed all I saw were neighborhoods and shopping centers/ office buildings that looked as though we were still back in the U.S.

7) The first thing I noticed after we landed were the voices of the people working in the airport. Immediately they made me realize we were in Ireland.

8) Walking around Dublin I heard so many different voices and languages ranging from English, Irish, French and even others I did not recognize.

9) After a brief nap I looked outside and saw ten men playing a small game of soccer. This made me miss the pick up games from back home.

10) Walking into Bruxelles I immediately felt welcome. Our waitress gave us a big smile and the women we were next to were very cheerful and friendly. It was the definition of cozy.