Columbia, One Ticket Please

This is the story of my first time in Columbia, Mo to see Mizzou

"Well then there is much to say about first times and firsts in general. I personally love them. The thrill of the uncertainty, the opportunity to find a new part of myself. But when my first visit to Mizzou started with me missing my 9-hour flight, which included four connections, into Columbia, Mo, I was a little skeptical about this first.

6:30 am It didn’t hit me right away. I laid on my couch for a second. Then boom! I am off to the phone. Screaming in my head, I missed my flight. My brother picked up the phone, barely awake. Soon he became aware of the situation. Panic set in.
I got off the phone just as I told him, “we are going to the airport anyway!” I raced into the shower, popping out to the words “Your mother is on the phone.” My response: who the hell called my mother. No one by the way, she called us. Perfect timing, she is good at that. I let her know about the situation, claiming everything was under control, above her screaming voice.
“Under control, really?”

7:30 am The airline was on break. What the hell? What happened to “we’re here when you need us.”? Granted I never got that promise but their first impression sucked. My brother and I sit and wait. Wait some more. Wait! There they come.
No flights in Columbia, not today at least. How about a standby for Kansas City? Well sure, cause I’ve been to Kansas city, right? Nope, worry. But how can I miss out on this adventure.

12:30 pm I am standing in front of the teller. Overcrowded flights to Kansas City. Next flight: 7 pm. Well sure. Extra $25, it’s worth it. I head home for research.
Greyhound to Columbia from KC at 12:40 am, perfect. Red Roof Inn check in at 3, solid.

9:15 pm Kansas City, baby. So Greyhound it is. Wait, where is the shuttle. Excuse me, miss, the shuttle to downtown. $17, what? Let’s see $55 for hotel, $30 for Greyhound. $0 in my account. Wait, there is always a way.
Taxi, $35. Bus, nope not on Saturdays. Crap, shuttle it is. Overcharge on my card. It’s cool.

10:45 pm Yes, one ticket for the 12:40 bus to Columbia. That bus is full? No way. When is the next bus? 7:15, damn. I guess no choice. Cancel Red Roof inn reservation. Ok let’s find a place to sleep.

7:15 am Wait, fuck that.
I go to talk to the head manager. Sir, I checked earlier…blah, blah, blah. Alright, son, let’s go get you a ticket. Now make sure you stay in front of the line.

12:15 am Paranoid sets in. Maybe lack of sleep.

12:45 am Here he comes to open the door. Come on, come on. Yes. I am in.

1:15 am Ok here we go. Don’t fall asleep. Stay awake to catch the stop.

Some time between 2 am and 3 am What, I fell asleep. Did I miss it? Crap. O cool, cool. Sign says Mizzou 3 miles ahead. Three exits for Mizzou, nice. Wait, what are you doing bus driver? You just missed all three go back. Relax, here is an exit for Columbia.

2:50 am Red Taxi, perfect. How much to downtown? $8, I only have $6 no wait I got $8.

3:15 am That will be $5.40. Really, nice. Ok lets go get a room. All out of rooms, today of all days. Ok, how do I get to Mizzou? A right then another right, ok. Thanks for the map. Let’s see ok we are good. This is right. Nice here comes a car. Hey. She’s stopping. Ok she waved back. Good. Wait where are you going? Who stops then drives off? Granted it was about 3:45 am.

4:00 am OK we are here. What is it with all these squirrels? Crap not a soul around. I need sleep. This bench looks nice, close to the Rec center.

6:30 am Sunlight again. Thank you. Ok lets go find some people. O hey, excuse me. DO you know where I check in to orientation? Well you don’t have to laugh; a no would have been fine.

7:10 am Yea, MUPD please? Yea, send me through. MUPD? Where do I check in? Hudson? OK. Wait, where? Right, Right.

7:40 am Yes Hudson. Check in. Thank you. Here’s the room. Key, doorknob, bed. O hey roommate. Cool, cool. Well bedtime, wake me in 30.

First times are everything. This was no different. The rest of the orientation was amazing. That is for another time though. I still need to catch up on sleep."

It was definitely an adventure. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Marvel