In a way, I was coming full circle in my CCVA experience. Over the past five years with this amazing group, I have made so many new friends, many of whom have become the most wonderful people I know. I was thrilled for the opportunity to spend one more year traveling, singing, and learning with them.
As is customary, travelers congregated in the Saints Simon and Jude Church parking lot on a hot June afternoon to say goodbye to our families. Not so customary was our number - 82, the largest group ever. Together we would begin the longest travel day in CCVA history - 22 HOURS!
Sooooooo, we're just a little excited to get going.
Lisa (left) and Emily (right) promise to have a good time.
After a comparatively quick two hour bus ride to Newark, our sea of blue and khaki checked in at Newark Airport, where that day’s World Cup game was thankfully available on one of the Lufthansa televisions. CCVA has always expereinced excellent service from the German airline. Today was no exception and soon we boarded our first flight to Frankfurt.
Thanks to the wonderful powers of Benadryl, the flight was over before I knew it! Unfortunately, a second countdown, one for the five hour layover until our commuter flight to Toulouse would take flight, was the next agenda.
Even in our travel-induced, sleep deprived delirium, the wait went quickly, and an hour and a half on a plane later, we were meeting our tour manager, Angelique, at the airport in Toulouse. With her help, we all grabbed our suitcases and boarded another bus for a two hour bus ride to Lourdes. I’d like to say that I spent the time looking out the window and appreciating these first views of France, but my body clearly did not have the same goal as my mind!
When we arrived, it was almost six o’clock in the evening, so we all quickly checked in, got changed, and met up for dinner in our hotel’s restaurant. We were staying in the same hotel that the group did on the first France tour - the Hôtel Gallia et Londres; it was a very surreal experience for me. People always say that these trips are "once in a lifetime" opportunities. They really are, and so I feel twice blessed to be in Lourdes for a second time.
As I reflect on who I was five years ago and remembering what my first CCVA trip felt like, it's hard to repress a smile. This year’s trip already means so much more to me! For a second year, I am with my wonderful roommate, Lisa. Were it not for her encouragement (and my parents), I might have passed up the opportunity.
The two of us fell asleep easily on our first night in France, despite great anticipation for what the morning would bring.
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