So I almost got deported. Good times.
In the week of launch and travel days, several very “me” incidents have already occurred. On the second day of launch, I was in a hurry to get downstairs to go to session, so naturally I was trying to put my shoes on as I walked. Unfortunately, my very clumsy nature got the best of me and I tripped headfirst into the wall and likely got another concussion. I have had headaches and dizziness off and on since then, so I am keeping touch on it with my leadership team. I learned to not take the phrase “just use your head” seriously.
After launch we headed for Atlanta airport to begin the 48 hour traveling period. After landing at JFK in New York, we had a 12 hour layover before making the 15 hour flight to Shanghai, China. Shortly after landing, I was casually looking through my bag when I conveniently noticed that my passport was no longer in there. This was GREAT news.* After tearing my backpack apart and having a Chinese security guard yell at me to open my laptop to see if it was somehow in there, me, Kayla, Kat (squad leader), and Hailey (squad mentor) sat. And sat. And sat. The Chinese airport security contacted the airline to look for it on the plane, only for them to tell us it was not on there. We waited another hour after we asked them to look one more time and check lost in found. No response. Hailey began the process of contacting our off-the-field leadership team to get tickets for me and Kat to fly back to Thailand in the event that I was deported. We waited a total of about 3 hours. I am now living proof that God answers prayers… a man walked over to us to tell us that they found it after all. We were then up against the clock to get me on the next connecting flight to Bangkok because we had to wait for an airlines agent to bring it to us, but luckily they brought it shortly after and I made my flight with plenty of time. My concussion previously mentioned was not a huge fan of this incident.
Lesson learned: don’t put your passport in your sweatshirt pocket if you are likely to fall asleep before taking it out.
All in all, I’d say travel day was a success.
*please note the sarcasm
P.S. Despite the scares, I did indeed successfully arrive to Chiang May last night.
P.P.S. I have to say, I think its a little ironic had I been deported from China since I have ancestors there and everything. lol.
-A
