Departure Day
Truth be told, I never thought the moment would come where I would be sitting at the airport gate, bags checked, anxiously (very anxiously) awaiting the time for me to board the plane to start my Watson Fellowship year! And yet, here I am. Sitting at gate B10 at the Albuquerque International Sunport a whole 3 hours before my first flight to Los Angeles is set to depart. Putting this into words is causing a lump to form in my throat. The reality is setting in. I truly was awarded a Watson Fellowship and will spend the next 365 days having an opportunity to learn, grow, and explore the huge world in a way that most have never dreamed of doing. I already have made some wonderful friends and connections in the planning process alone and in just a few short hours we will meet face-to-face for the first time and get to spend several weeks together. Only time will tell what this year will have in store for me but I am eager to discover it!
I spent the past week in New Mexico with my parents and younger sister. We ate at some amazing gluten free restaurants, lounged on comically large floating chairs in their apartment’s pool, drove through the mountains, hiked into a waterfall, and shared as many laughs as we could to make up for the next year apart. I gained a symbolic butterfly necklace to keep close to my heart as I journey through this fellowship, as well as a few good luck charms, including a preserved four-left clover! During the workday as the three of them toiled away at their jobs, I sat in the hot New Mexico sun and soaked up the rays knowing that when I land in New Zealand I will be greeted by winter, rainy skies, and 48 degree fahrenheit temperatures. I also spent time crocheting myself a travel buddy to bring with me on all of my adventures. My mom wanted me to name him Watson, but my sister cuddled him the two nights before I left and affectionately gave him the name Sunny Bear. Sunny Bear also is not dressed for the weather in New Zealand as we depart from our week in Santa Fe, so on the plane I will be crocheting him a pale blue overall and cardigan outfit to help him keep cozy.
Sitting here waiting for my boarding time, a lot of the things that I stressed about for the past 5 months have been resolved. As a Type 1 Diabetic, a large hurdle was determining how to get all of my needed medical supplies throughout the next year. After making calls to my doctors, insurance, and embassies around the world multiple times a day for weeks on end, it was determined that I needed to bring everything that I needed to manage my condition with me when I left the United States. Now, I should mention here that every prior Watson Fellow who I spoke with this summer as I prepared for my own adventure strongly advised bringing a large hiking backpack as a checked bag and a singular personal item. And that’s it. With this news, my dreams of packing light went out the window. Yesterday morning, my mom and I set out to do my final packing preparations, which included packaging all of the medical supplies I was taking into their proper bundles and moving them into their new hard-sided suitcase home. *Note: I brought a soft-sided suitcase to New Mexico and quickly realized that it would not fit all of the supplies that had been shipped to my parents’ apartment in preparation for my arrival and subsequent departure!*
Once all of my medical supplies were packed, the rest felt easy! I packed up my 25 pounds of clothing into my hiking backpack, put my essentials into my personal item, and carry-on, and made about 14 more lists of things not to forget and things to do before I left the following afternoon. But, before I could do that, yesterday evening I had a lovely dinner set up with a wonderful contact I have from New Zealand who my mom met through her work in Santa Fe! Her and her husband just arrived back in town and we met for a lovely dinner! They gave me last minute advice and reassurance for my journey and offered my mom an opportunity to extend her gratitude and feel secure that I will be in safe hands when I arrive at my first destination.
This morning, I took in some final moments to sit out on the balcony of the New Mexico apartment, listen to the sounds of my family getting ready for the day, and embrace sitting in the backseat and enjoy my sister’s eclectic playlist as the 4 of us packed into the car to drop her off at work. I gave her a long hug goodbye, knowing that we will likely reunite earlier than I will with the rest of my family, as she will be studying abroad in Florence in the spring around when I will be in Europe myself. It helped me get through that moment without totally breaking down, at least.
Back at the apartment, we sipped coffee, answered emails, and read and reread our checklists. My stomach was in knots most of the morning but it was nice to get some needed perspective by talking through it all with my parents while staring out at some big beautiful mountains and listening to the birds chirping. I got ready, finished packing everything up, and took my final mask-free pictures with my parents before leaving.
At the check-in desk, we met a very helpful clerk who made sure all my checked luggage was in safe hands (even waiving the added fee!) and helped me on my way! A father and his younger daughter stopped and took some group pics of me with my parents before I went to security and I did the same for them. This also helped with the whole perspective thing.
I made it through security with as little hassle as you’d expect given having to be pat-down and have my carry-on hand-checked due to my medical devices. At the gate, I had 3 phone calls with my parents and a call with each set of grandparents all before sitting down to write this post.
But, here I am! I got everything all packed up, made it through security, and to my gate! I have lovely contacts in New Zealand who will be waiting for me when I arrive with a freshly made bed, hot shower, and home-cooked meal. What else can I ask for?
I will miss all of my wonderful friends and family in the US, for sure! But, 365 days isn’t really that long when you think about it! I will see you all very soon with a ton of pictures and stories and maybe even the ability to speak some new languages! Keep in touch on Facebook Messenger, Instagram (and Instagram Messenger), WhatsApp, email, and here on this blog!
Wish me luck!!
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Cannot wait to follow your adventures!!! Be safe and enjoy!!!
Have a wonderful adventure! xoxo