Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

As you probably read in the last blog post, I didn’t get my luggage yesterday.  The Dublin airport had said they’d deliver by 12, but that wasn’t the case.  I had to leave my studio at 12:40 to go to the airport and my bags never arrived.  I checked in with Aer Lingus and they said there was nothing they could do because the lost luggage claim was with Continental, although Aer Lingus is who the bags should have been delivered by.  I made several phone calls and kept leaving messages with the address where I’d be in Somerset. 

When I arrived in Bristol, I contacted their lost luggage customer representatives and gave them my contact info and address at the “resort”.  Luckily, I got a phone call from the airport in Bristol this morning saying they had my luggage and it would be delivered today.  Of course, I learned my lesson and I won’t celebrate until I actually have it in my possession. 

Getting to the location where I’m teaching the next few weeks was interesting for sure.  I’d been given good directions, but I literally took the airbus in Dublin to the airport, flew to Bristol, took the airport to the Bristol city center where I got a train to Taunton, then took another bus to the Butlins Resort here in Minehead.  LONG day of traveling.  I arrived last night and was taken to my room (I’ve got one of the largest with three bedrooms and a bath).  It’s nothing special though.  There are no towels included in the room so I had to dry off with an extra bedsheet this am, but you know, it worked.  I went to guest services this morning to “rent” a towel.  Very strange.

This morning I had the tour with some of the group leaders who brought students and then I got briefed on what I’d be responsible for, essentially teaching and leading afternoon activities outside of the classroom. Today we’ll walk into the small town of Minehead to check things out.  There I can get a sim card and other necessary items if my luggage doesn’t show.

I don’t know much about the students as I only ate breakfast with them, but in total we’ve got 300+ people and next week we have more arriving.  I had no idea this was such a large program. There seems to be plenty to do here though with rock climbing walls, an arcade, bowling alley, and movie theatre, swimming pools and jump castles, go carts and mini golf.  Then of course the beach is here as well but I’m telling you, it’s not like beaches at home.  I’m in jeans and my EF polo and wind jacket (very stylish) and I’m freezing.  You wouldn’t get me in a pool to save my life! 

About to head to lunch and hopefully I’ll get to spend some time getting to know the kids this afternoon. They are Russian students from 10-17 I believe.  Quite a mix.

I’ll do my best to keep you posted!