IrishOboe

Here I am, sitting in the Orlando airport waiting for the flight before my flight to Charlotte to leave the gate.  If the rest of my adventures in Switzerland go as they’ve started, God has decided I’ve been stretched enough and deserve a break.  Well, maybe not, but the drive, check-in, and security couldn’t hardy have gone more smoothly, even though I forgot to display my plastic zip bag of three ounce liquids.  I thought my instruments caused a need for inspection, but after a look from another security person, my bag passed right through.  Since I have two hours to wait, I wish I had some interesting adventures to relate.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten stuff, and I’ve already remembered a few things I’d wanted to do and didn’t, but nothing major.  I really tried to pack light this time, and I have, bringing one large duffel bag, a carry-on bag, and a box mailed ahead less than I did for Japan.  Most of the cut down was in clothes.  I’m not packed as light as the 20 lb bag Rick Steve’s recommends, but I am living in the same area (and so should have some variety of clothes) and have instruments, reed equipment and music to bring along as well.  I checked a large suitcase and a small suitcase (surprisingly 47 and 40 lbs respectively – compare to the 70 lbs my large suitcase held on the way to Japan!)).  I’m carrying a purse, jacket, and my oboe bag that holds my oboe, English horn, baroque oboe, computer and books and entertainment devices.  It is heavy!  Yet I hope that it will fit under my seat so I don’t have to worry about overhead stuff.  To Japan I had my instruments in the small suitcase that I put overhead, plus my computer bag and purse (which fit in my computer bag in hopes that the computer bag would qualify for the “small personal item”).  Obviously this worked, but it was cumbersome and that suitcase with my instruments was hard to heave over my head and into the overhead compartments!

So, that’s where I am and what I look like (black pants, blue top, sneakers).  I see there’s internet here so I’ll try to post.  Hopefully you’re seeing this before I even touch European soil!

Very much love to everyone for everything you’ve done to support me.  I will miss you all, but I plan not to talk about it much since I’ve determined not to be negative but enjoy whatever comes my way where I am when I am.  Tschüss!