GO!!!

So, this trip has been off to an.... adventurous start! Weather in Chicago delayed my MSP to Chicago flight by 3 hours, but delayed the Chicago to Rome flight by only 1 hour. This meant that between my flight touching down and unboarding, the connecting flight had closed its doors and was listed as having departed (only to find out later that the plane had sat there for an hour after the doors were shut).
After talking with two different travel agents, I was put onto a flight to Paris, which had been delayed long enough (due to the weather backup) that I could make it. This boarded around 6:30, and left shortly after, surprisingly only about 3/4 full.
After landing in Paris around 10am local time, I found the right terminal and gate with the help of a very kind muslim man and airport staff. Knowing Mom and Dad would start to panic if they hadn't heard from me by the time they woke up (per a prior agreement), I found a wi-fi center and sent them a quick email, then waited for my next plane from Paris to Rome to take off at 12:35. This- thankfully- was on time; though I didn't have to worry about connecting flights, I really wanted to stop traveling and be in Rome.
After finding out my luggage had been left in Chicago, I got a taxi to the housing office, only to find it closed. I made it to the apartment without too much difficultly around 5:30pm on Monday, though was glad when the right apartment was the first one I tried with the help of Jessi, the housing guy.
Once in the apartment, I was able to contact Mom and Dad and let them know everything was fine, I was alive, and had made it, even though my bag hadn't. Later is when I learned that the other students on the Chicago to Rome flight had been trying to get ahold of me- eventually calling Dad- and had been worried for me when the plane was boarding and I was no where in sight.

Anyway, at 7, there was a reception for us as a meet-and-greet for the professors as well as other students, filled with very tasty local food. The two mile walk isn't too bad, and I feel I could get used to it as the summer goes on, though it will depend on the weather as well.

Tomorrow holds an orientation at 10 for all the students, then Brenda- the painting professor- is going to show us the studio and we're going on a walking tour to orient ourselves with the city.

That's all for now, it's time to get some much needed rest. Good night!