Off to Bosnia

OK, after avoiding updates for SO LONG on this site, this one’s crucial: I’m off to Bosnia in an hour [Edited; see below].  I’m going with the Week of Compassion trip that takes seminarians abroad to learn about and meet the people who benefit from the relief and development work.  Our trip is connecting with Church World Service, one of WOC’s partners in the area.  To see previous groups’ reflections, visit this part of the WOC site.

I promise lots of pictures and stories once I return (and maybe even in the midst of my journey!)

-A 

Update at 12:20pm: This story is super embarrassing, but it’s TOO GOOD to pass up!

I think I’ve fooled most people into thinking I’m a relatively capable and low-stress air traveler. Well, on my recent trips I’ve ignored the anxiety enough to make some pretty glaring mistakes.

Take my spiritual retreat back in September. I was flying down to New Orleans to meet with my spiritual adviser, Jack. I originally met him in TX when he was on assignment at a retreat house in Dallas. We’d talked last spring about me closing out my FTE project with a week in his new assignment in LA. One hiccup in the scheduling was his sabbatical – his Golden Jubilee in Brazil, celebrating his 50 years as a priest. I’d thought I’d confirmed the dates and that he knew to be expecting me. So, sure enough, I got on the plane not even sure he was in the country – or knowing if I’d have a ride at the airport.

I arrived and he wasn’t there. I called his line at the retreat center, but couldn’t reach him. After three hours of angsty contingency planning (including a car rental or ticket transfer to fly right back up to Chicago), I reached one of the other priests who let Jack know I was right at the airport. The angst never vanished through the full week, but once I was in his car, not even getting lost on the way to the retreat center could rival the panic from before.

Flash forward to today. I’ve been avoiding details on my Bosnia trip so I could focus on school. I’m in the middle of Finals week still and classes got most of my focus. But one detail was set firm in my mind: we were leaving a day earlier than planned and I needed to be ready to leave on Wednesday.

I looked at my itinerary about 25 times as I was preparing and packing. And Heidi had planned to shuttle me to the airport, but I confused even her when her whole schedule was full. She thought she’d double-booked herself.  Little did we know … So I got Ben (a housemate/friend) to give me a ride since she was busy.

So when did I realize my flight was on the 12th and not the 11th? Standing in line at the Lufthansa counter at the airport! I’m ridiculous.

I stepped out of the line and called Amy, one of the event leaders. Without admitting my mistake I confirmed with her that we’d meet at the gate TOMORROW.  I’m sure she was very confused and panicked that she hadn’t sent me the details. Twas all on my end, Amy!

I’m taking the train back home and trying this again tomorrow. Luckily I’m now already packed and ready for the next twelve days.