Departure 
I cannot believe the time has already come. All the packing and anticipation have come to fruition. The ride to Champaign was full of nerves as I just wanted to get to the train station and get settled. Traveling to the train station was a dark, cold and windy drive. I left the house in plenty of time just in case as I just wanted to get there safely. I stopped to get gas and the wind and mist hit me in the face reminding me of how lucky I am to be going out of town. I just now look at the weather in the New Orleans as I blog and it states that it is 64 degrees and I think to myself that it is just a train ride away. Fall asleep and you will be there I tell myself. At the train station, I have my lap top in my lap and just try to take a deep breath to ease the jitters and type. I immediately think how wonderful the food is going taste. The foreign taste to my palate will be enjoyable to taste for the first time. Mouthwatering. I think about the warm beignets everyone has been raving about. I think about the warm weather and walking around in just a t-shirt (hopefully.) I think about smelling the Bourbon Street for the first time to understand what Colleen was talking about. I cannot wait to hear live Jazz music for the first time. All the firsts in a town of firsts is very exciting. We sat around and made small talk exchanging stories and jokes back and forth while waiting for the train. Boarding the train was challenging as I usually travel much lighter and I feel the sore muscles from hauling my overstuffed book bag and purse. I couldn’t wait to feel the weight be lifted literally and figuratively by getting rid of the bags. All the anticipation and worry that went into packing those bags will be gone as we travel to New Orleans. I finally get my seat and relax. I get the window seat as I hoped as I do not want to miss one sight when the sun rises. Sleeping is challenging as I am used to lying flat and in the comfort of my own bed with my boyfriend. I just couldn’t get comfortable. I then began to feel the zzquil kick in and I closed my eyes. I would wake up intermittently to an uncomfortable sting on my back and reposition myself. I got up to use the restroom a couple of times, moving slowly and as quiet as I could so I wouldn’t wake anyone. Eating on the train was easy as I packed plenty of snacks. I wished for a meal but knew the popcorn, cashews and beef jerky were just an appetizer to the wonderful meals ahead. People on the train are from every walk of life. It’s very late so we all have the same thought on our minds… SLEEP! See you tomorrow New Orleans.

I have never been to Champaign before have learned that it is not as far as I thought it was and an easy drive despite the darkness and wind. Parking was a little bit of a headache but we all found our way. I have learned it is very difficult to pack for a week to a place with unpredictable climate. I still cannot shake the feeling of somewhat loneliness and the trip has not even started. I am going on a trip with people I do not know very well and some I have not even met until today. Worry is my biggest feeling right now. I know we will get to know each other and I knew I did not know a lot of people when I signed up but there is no worse feeling of being left out or feeling like the odd man out. I think this trip will help me when it comes to being comfortable with being alone. Just being if that makes sense. It will also help me feel what new people feel like as I haven’t been “new” in a long time. I usually am in my comfort zone. I am also always very confident but this trip has me in a strange mood. I am excited but I am also anxiety ridden as well. I just look forward to breaking the ice with people and getting to know them and hopefully make memories together. I hope everyone will be open and willing to make the best of the trip with everyone and not just stick with only the friends they know. I am always willing to make new friends and I hope that is the case with everyone. Moving on, I look forward to the feeling of getting to know the city. I cannot wait to see what everyone has told me about. I enjoy visiting new places and I am sure the feelings of being lost will soon go away as it sounds like New Orleans is easy to navigate. As I sit on the train my feelings of worry are slowly fading. Everyone is talking and making small chat. We are all getting to know one another and I realize we are all in same boat. We all went and got a night cap which was fun and gave me a large amount of hope that this is just the beginning of that fun. Another thing I learned was that I needed to wear a short sleeve shirt under my sweatshirt as it got very hot on the train and I’m sure that did not help me with sleeping soundly. I woke up at the 6am Memphis stop, went outside for some fresh air with a friend and I had no idea how beautiful a Memphis sunrise can be. Not too much longer and we will be there I think to myself as I type. All the heat, bumps, snoring, slamming car door and repositioning will be worth it. I want to go back to sleep but since the sun has come up, I don’t want to miss a thing. Fingers crossed my mind will let me have a nap and I will be in New Orleans in just 8 short hours.