Sam #1: May 17

In the lowland tropical forest villages of Cambodia, there is a gargantuan legend about a great white creature small in stature that wields much power. These creatures run all over the world, yet no man has ever been able to truly capture one. Its power is derived from its sheer complexity and its mind-boggling behavior. One moment, you think that you have control over it. Once you attempt to exercise this control, the creature reacts by violently sucking part of your soul deep into its body, never to be seen again. My friends and followers, I write not of Pokémon, nor of women, but of the baffling institution of the airplane toilet. How is it that a small and familiar thing can suddenly vanquish all evidence of humanity in such a terrifying rush of wind that passes through a closed door into a closed airplane compartment? My physics education has taught me to expect an equal and opposite reaction, and that prospect sends me running for a poncho and a gas mask. However, we will not fret in anticipation of this natural disaster. Instead, we will enjoy every minute of this trip and take our setbacks in stride, because I am happy to report that we are already having loads of fun, yet we have not been out of the country 12 hours.
Sunday afternoon at graduation, John Wood emphasized that one critical way to better understand the world is to go see it. Well friends, that’s exactly what we’re doing! We checked in with ease last night at Hartsfield-Jackson save for one interesting problem that was easily resolved. Somehow, the skycap who checked me in managed to put my baggage claim sticker on somebody else’s bag. I have no earthly idea how this is possible because she printed my boarding pass and put the sticker on my bag right in front of my eyes. However, a few minutes before boarding time, I was called to the counter, where I finally met my star-crossed lover (traveler), whose claim sticker had been put on my bag. I the habitually observant James Bond-wannabe failed to notice this potentially disastrous mistake, and only by the keen eyes of a total stranger were we both saved much hassle in a foreign country.
After this incident, my faith in humanity was affirmed, and we boarded the Boeing 767 without hiccup. There was a surreal sense of tingling electricity in the air as we took our seats and looked at eachother and began to realize that the big dream years in the making had finally come to fruition. The silent euphoria of freedom, adventure, and loyal companionship was undeniable in each of our facial expressions. No matter what happens, it happens to all of us and it will be funny. If our many years of playing war games (of virtual, board, and real varieties) and fixing card decks are any indicator of things to come, then I feel quite certain that no matter what happens, somebody might be riding the proverbial elliptical machine, but everybody will be laughing.
Ladies and gentlemen, this trip is finally a reality and this blog is your free ticket to join us. Throughout the trip we plan to blog at least once per day, but due to internet availability, one day’s musings may not be posted until the next day. I pray that you sleep soundly knowing that you will eventually get to read about every single day. As the creator of this blog I am the de facto Blogger-in-Chief, but I promise that I am allowing all members to post as they please. Thank you so much to our families who have given us their gifts of love, trust, and support as we embark on a life-defining voyage across Europe. We think about you every day.
From Russia (England) With Love,
Samuel Johnstone Hempel