I woke up this morning at 4:15 to make it to my flight at 7 leaving from Tampa International. There were very few people in the airport so it was a breeze (though TIA is arguably the best airport in America so this fact shouldn’t be surprising). I love going through airports alone, it makes me feel like I could be going anywhere and that’s exciting. The first flight was fine and I landed in Atlanta to get my connecting flight. I got out at terminal A and had to reboard at terminal C. There was a tram that would take you to all the terminals or you could walk. Thinking that this would be my only exercise for the day I decided I would walk. The sign said 1000 ft, which really isn’t too far. So I start walking and the next sign still says that terminal C is 1000 ft away. I didn’t think too much of it until the next sign said 1000 ft. Then I started noticing how heavy my computer bag was and how much I needed to use the bathroom. So after however many thousands of feet I walked I made it to terminal C, used the bathroom and boarded nearly 10 minutes afterward. Good timing.
The flight to Harrisburg was in a tiny plane, only 12 rows. The man who was sitting next to me was trying to make conversation but obviously wasn’t listening for my answers. I told him that I was working in Philadelphia for the summer and that my friend, who I’d be living with was going to pick me up. Then he asked me how I was going to adjust to Philadelphia, so I assumed he was talking about living in a city, but then he said, “What about the winter?” So instead of correcting him I just went along with it. I’m pretty sure that by the end of the ride he thought that I was moving to Philly permanently and possibly getting married.
Brittany was waiting when I arrived in Harrisburg. That airport is really nice and new. Of course there are maybe 12 gates so there’s not a lot of traffic in and out. We packed up and headed down the PA turnpike toward East Philadelphia. We got a little mixed up getting to the apartment as part of our directions included the sentence, “Go a few blocks up and make a left when you can…” but overall we made it fine. The apartment is basically exactly like Beaty Towers at UF except we each get our own room. Found out that our shower is only a dribble but luckily Dave and Jack are living just across the hall so I could use their shower to get the airport off of me. Hopefully we’ll be able to get that fixed soon. Also, there are no outlets in the bathroom… what is that?
So after wasting a bunch of time in the apartment we all headed over to Bill Erat’s house. He is the coordinator for our work this summer. We also met the pastor who would be our mentor while we are here. Both of their wives are very nice and we had a cookout in their backyard that was fantastic. The Erat’s house is exactly the house that I want. It was built in the 1920’s with great wooden floors and window casings. An eclectic mix of art and antiques hung around and when I walked in Take the A Train was playing, how perfect.
So far, Philadelphia is still new and fun. I can’t wait to see more of it tomorrow.
I really saw God today in the conversation we had around dinner. These people are so caring and really doing something about the need in this city. Before dinner we prayed to be aware and to keep in mind the needs of others. I don’t know why I have never prayed this before. Working in Costa Rica during spring break was really a shock for me. There is such great need in the world that we do not even realize. No one knows of the plight of the Bribri tribe in central Costa Rica. We advocate for Free Trade agreements that sound great for us but there is no face to the people that it will be hurting. The small farmers that can barely provide for themselves have no chance of making a profit anywhere else. I feel somewhat ashamed that I have forgotten that lesson so soon. But it makes me excited to be able to do work here and hopefully make an impact on the children I’ll be working with and also letting them make an impact on me.
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