Date Written: 6/10/2014
Everything
was going as expected. A few emotional goodbyes (of course) and
packing up the car a bit later than anticipated, but nothing out of
the ordinary. Ironically, my Dad's music playlist was on "F"s
after a weekend of traveling to get last minute things and visiting
with family and songs about flying were playing on the way to the
airport.
Checking
my luggage went smoothly. Both checked bags were underweight =
success! Got through security without an issue. Walked to near the
end of the terminal just as they were calling the first people to
board my plane to Philadelphia. As I sat to wait for my turn to board
the plane I looked for the gum I had recently stowed away next to my
wallet in an easy access part of my carry on.
To
my dismay, I couldn't find the gum - or my wallet - anywhere.
Maybe
my parents or someone has it? I texted my mom "Can't find my
fossil wallet and keys" and then "May have lost it had both
debit cards and my cash." Frantically, I ran to the gate
entrance and told the woman calling the passengers to board I think I
had left my wallet at security. "You have ten minutes. Then we
leave," said the woman quickly.
I
started speed walking back to security, but when I remembered how far
I had walked to the gate I started to run. Mid-stride I answered a
call from my dad, "We don't have it. Go back to security. Push
comes to shove we will cancel the cards."
"Okay!"
I said, panting partially because of the sudden exercise and
partially because I had become so anxious that my heart rate had
quickened, "I'm sure its at security. It'll be fine." I
reassured myself before I hung up the phone.
Frantically,
I made eye contact with one of the TSA agents and told him I think I
had left my wallet. He escorted me to a nearby table, "What does
you wallet look like? Did you check all the parts of you bag
already?"
"Uhm.
Its a little wallet on a keychain. Its blue. Its on a maroon braclet
like thing," his calm disposition and soft eyes were
increasingly reassuring and my breathing had slowed slightly. I
started searching through my bag one last time, shoving my hand in
every dark nook - still not seeing the shine of my keys or feeling
the leather on the wallet.
The
TSA agent came back from asking the other agents to take a look, "Did
you check the back part of the front pouch? Its a little like hidden
pocket?"
I
gave him a confused look and lifted the front pouch of my blag. I saw
my keys move to the front of the pouch. "Oh gosh..." I said
both elated and a bit defeated, "Here they are! Thank you so
much."
Before
my bag was fully zipped and I was done thanking the man, I was
sprinting back to my gate. I knew at least five minutes had flown by
in my adventure to find my never lost keys. I called my dad and told
him the good - silly - news and exchanged I love yous in a less
panicked but still breathless voice.
I
arrived at the gate and made eye contact with the woman who had
rushed me to return in ten minutes. She seemed calm until I opened my
mouth. "Should I board now or do you still have more people to
call on before me?" I said, not really knowing how much time had
passed or what the current time was.
"Get
on the flight. Now." the woman snapped.
I
flew to the side of the gate and presented my boarding pass and ID.
Her snappy disposition changed quickly as she noticed my naivity.
"Don't worry about it," she said, "You still have a
few more minutes. It'll be fine."
I
texted my mom back as soon as I made my dramatic enterance as the
last passenger to board my flight. "On the flight! haha love you
:)"
The
rest of the day was routine. Got to Philly. Got to the hotel Peace
Corp staging was in. Went to check in. Went to lunch. It was great to
meet everyone and talk with like-minded people about the adventures,
hardships, and accomplishments that lie ahead of us. And of course,
it was nice to listen to all the different accents and hear different
perspectives. I'm looking forward to learning more about them in our
next few days of travel and the next few months of training.
Not
sure when I'll post next. Or what it could possibly be about. If
today taught me anything it was that you should probably check for
hidden pockets in your carry on luggage.
Oh
- and that everything will be fine....or at least will make a funny
blog post about how silly I am.
[Pics
of luggage/luggage selfie] - what happens when you get up at 4 AM.
The little teal bag was the hidden compartment culprit.
With
love,
Elizabeth
:)
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