Fourth Time's a Charm

The much anticipated trek to Paris finally began last Thursday morning at the Omaha Amtrak station. The California Zephyr was three hours late due to railroad repairs, but no one complained much as the delay allowed more time to spend with Mom and Dad. Over Donut Stop pasteries, Mom conferred wise advice to me: "This teaching experience may not go well and I want you to not discount teaching in the future because of this single experience."

9 a.m. approached and we walked down the platform together. I didn't cry until I actually had to get on the train and watch Mom and Dad walk away into the arriving eastern sun.

This is the fourth time my parents have sent me abroad and it seems the goodbyes get a little bit easier each time.

The Zephyr took 9 hours to reach Union Station in Downtown Chicago. Jacob and I opted for Amtrak because planes are costly and buses are uncomfortable, to say the least. Just East of the mighty Mississippi, massive flooding from over a month ago turned farmlands into a type of everglade. Houses had been carried right off their foundations by the current. We were told by a fellow Amtrak'er that parts of the railroad had been washed clean away by the storms.

Once we arrived to Union Station, we navigated the Chicago Transit Authority system to Logan Square. Allen and Stacy fed us amazing delivery Chinese and housed us on their couches for the night. To my delight, I got to sleep on the couch from Goodwill which Allen and I had bought together for the Pagoda as a Christmas present to each other.

The following day, Jacob and I headed downtown to claim our visas and marvel Chicago's architecture. Jacob received his student visa in the morning, having encountered no problems. However, my appointment was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and our flight from O'Hare was to depart at 6:27 p.m. We couldn't afford to change our tickets, so we devised a "Get from Downtown Chicago to O'Hare Incredibly Fast" Plan.

I went to the French Consulate Downtown for my appointment while Allen and Jacob got the luggage from the apartment and hauled it down to Logan Square Station. The woman at the Consulate told me to return at 4:30 p.m. to pick up my completed work visa. I paced around the lobby, called Jacob to give him last minute details in case he left for the airport without me. At 4:15, I went back up to the 37th floor, graciously thanked the woman for having it done early, then made a mad dash for the Blue Line at Clark/Lake. I was on the phone with Allen most of this time, giving him the play by play. He directed me to get into the last car and to call when I was a stop away from Logan Square.

At Logan Square, the train doors slid open, Jacob dashed in with his luggage and I leaned out to grab mine from Allen, give him a hug, and pass off my CTA card. The doors closed, it was 4:40 p.m. and I began laughing due to the simultaneous stress and relief. So, here's a big THANKS to Allen for helping us out and taking us to the most delicious vegan restaurant in Boys Town. I hope you enjoyed those chocolate chip cookies.