Grades are submitted, the office is empty, and my belongings are in storage. I am finally free.
My 92-day trip to Europe began this morning when my neighbor Aleth drove me to Tampa International Airport. I went through TSA PreCheck and reached the gate with two hours before my connecting flight to Boston.
When my boarding zone was called, the gate agent flagged me. My 92-day itinerary exceeded the Schengen Area’s 90-day visa-free limit, so I needed a waiver. I said I’d visit the UK during the trip, which pauses the Schengen clock. The agent wanted proof of a UK ticket, so I booked a $140 one-way flight from Paris to London, showed the confirmation, and got the waiver. In the jetway, I canceled the flight for a full refund. 🤷🏼♂️
The hop to Boston was unpleasant. Screams from the toddler seated behind me cut through my noise-canceling earbuds the entire flight. I’m now in Boston with a four-hour layover before my evening flight to Paris, and I hope to God that kid isn’t on the next leg.
Brandon Hikes 