Away We Go

Today is finally here.  The day I've been anticipating for over 200 days.  Today Kelly and I board the M.V. Explorer to travel around the world for the second time. Just typing that still gives me goosebumps. 

It's an amazing opportunity, 12 countries, 17 cities over the next 112 days.  We traveled over 3000 miles yesterday alone.  We left RDU for our connecting flight in Chicago around 10 am EST.  We had an awesome gyro in the airport and got to see the Blues Brothers statue, a picture that my Dad will love probably more than any other I take on this journey.  Our flight to San Diego was long but everything went perfect.

This was our first experience flying Southwest airlines and, while it's strange at first, once you understand how it works, it's a cool airline.  The most important thing is that the earlier you check in online, the earlier you get to get on the plane and pick your own seat.   Plus you get two checked bags free and when you're packing for a four month trip, that is really important.  

After we arrived and were dropped off at the Hampton Inn, which is serving as SAS headquarters for the next day, we headed to the faculty/staff welcome reception.  I can already tell this is going to be an amazing group and it made me even more excited for this journey.  My RD staff is filled with very friendly and wonderful people.  After the reception our group headed over to In & Out burger for some animal style deliciousness.  It was on my bucket list of things to do for this trip and it totally lived up to it.

Today I have been up since 3am PST.  My body is stuck on in the Eastern time zone apparently.  I've spent the last few hours in the Hampton lobby cherishing the last of my reliable internet availability.  I guess the Warren Zevon biography that I picked to read while on the trip is rather appropriate today,
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.