Greetings from Scotland! We have arrived at our first destination,
outside of Oban, in Glen Coe and it is a simply divine evening. We will
be posting more student blog reflections soon, but here are a few
photos of our departure from Maryville College, our British Airlines
Flight arriving in Heathrow Airport in London, our arrival in Glasgow,
Scotland and our stay here in Glen Coe.
Day 1 Reflections:
Today, the MC Choir heads to Scotland! We loaded up the bus and left right on schedule. After what seemed like a horribly long bus ride, we arrived in Atlanta to make the international flight to England. Everyone waited anxiously for the flight to come. However all our hype darkened a level due to the delay we faced. Luckily the only issue was the luggage being miscalculated. Once we were on our way in the air, everyone’s worries vanished and became thrilled again. We had a great time talking with the British flight attendants and hearing their “funny” phrases. After landing back on the ground, we hear our flight was ONLY an hour and a half behind. Because of this we were not able to mingle in the London airport. Instead, we were rushed off of the plane and through security, who surprisingly had a great sense of humor. We were truly blessed that our next flight was held for us, I mean there are 70- something of us, we were the plane. Although we had a long hectic journey, it was a blast. At least now we all have a story to tell when we get back home.
~ Emily Queen
The Road Less Traveled or NOT!!!!
The bus ride from Maryville College for some seemed to have gone by so fast thanks to their beaming anticipation and eagerness. For some, on the other hand, it was long enough for them to sneak a nap or two in. The bus ride finally arrived at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and we all got in line at the British Airways ticketing counter. Looking at the faces of the other ticketing officers from other airlines, I would say that they were probably thanking God or some other higher power that they didn’t work for British Airways today. The line from the ticketing counter seemed like an overflowing sea of humans in Maryville College Concert Choir green and blue T-shirts. I would say it took over an hour and a half, a few tunes and maybe a little too much chuckles or thereabout for everyone to get their tickets (one headed to London and the other to Glasgow.) Thankfully, security went great and the sea of humans dispersed into smaller fragments. Some ran to get some food to eat and even though there really wasn’t much of a variety any place that sold food was in high demand. Some others scurried to a comfortable niche where they could read that book they’ve waited all year for. The best of all these though were those who decided to prep themselves for the flight by offering one another massages.
Once we got on the plane, you could definitely feel the excitement. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed for close to an hour due to some baggage issues. The excitement seemed to dwindle during this period, but once the plane finally taxied along the runway it came right back. Immigration in London was definitely more hectic than in the US to say the least, but once we got to Glasgow and started sight- seeing, immigration became history (literally and figuratively.)
Before we left Atlanta though, I looked around the gate we flew from; I couldn’t help but notice the joy, anticipation and excitement on the faces of all 53 students who have been offered the opportunity to go on this journey of a lifetime. For a lot of us, international travel is new and probably unimaginable, but with the help of the college and loved ones, this road that once looked impossible is being treaded on by the Maryville Concert Choir and its amazing community of faculty and alums. Words cannot express how excited I am to embark on this trip, see new things, eat new things, but most importantly learn new things.
~Onyekachi Ononye
Today, the MC Choir heads to Scotland! We loaded up the bus and left right on schedule. After what seemed like a horribly long bus ride, we arrived in Atlanta to make the international flight to England. Everyone waited anxiously for the flight to come. However all our hype darkened a level due to the delay we faced. Luckily the only issue was the luggage being miscalculated. Once we were on our way in the air, everyone’s worries vanished and became thrilled again. We had a great time talking with the British flight attendants and hearing their “funny” phrases. After landing back on the ground, we hear our flight was ONLY an hour and a half behind. Because of this we were not able to mingle in the London airport. Instead, we were rushed off of the plane and through security, who surprisingly had a great sense of humor. We were truly blessed that our next flight was held for us, I mean there are 70- something of us, we were the plane. Although we had a long hectic journey, it was a blast. At least now we all have a story to tell when we get back home.
~ Emily Queen
The Road Less Traveled or NOT!!!!
The bus ride from Maryville College for some seemed to have gone by so fast thanks to their beaming anticipation and eagerness. For some, on the other hand, it was long enough for them to sneak a nap or two in. The bus ride finally arrived at the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and we all got in line at the British Airways ticketing counter. Looking at the faces of the other ticketing officers from other airlines, I would say that they were probably thanking God or some other higher power that they didn’t work for British Airways today. The line from the ticketing counter seemed like an overflowing sea of humans in Maryville College Concert Choir green and blue T-shirts. I would say it took over an hour and a half, a few tunes and maybe a little too much chuckles or thereabout for everyone to get their tickets (one headed to London and the other to Glasgow.) Thankfully, security went great and the sea of humans dispersed into smaller fragments. Some ran to get some food to eat and even though there really wasn’t much of a variety any place that sold food was in high demand. Some others scurried to a comfortable niche where they could read that book they’ve waited all year for. The best of all these though were those who decided to prep themselves for the flight by offering one another massages.
Once we got on the plane, you could definitely feel the excitement. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed for close to an hour due to some baggage issues. The excitement seemed to dwindle during this period, but once the plane finally taxied along the runway it came right back. Immigration in London was definitely more hectic than in the US to say the least, but once we got to Glasgow and started sight- seeing, immigration became history (literally and figuratively.)
Before we left Atlanta though, I looked around the gate we flew from; I couldn’t help but notice the joy, anticipation and excitement on the faces of all 53 students who have been offered the opportunity to go on this journey of a lifetime. For a lot of us, international travel is new and probably unimaginable, but with the help of the college and loved ones, this road that once looked impossible is being treaded on by the Maryville Concert Choir and its amazing community of faculty and alums. Words cannot express how excited I am to embark on this trip, see new things, eat new things, but most importantly learn new things.
~Onyekachi Ononye
