First Full Day in Baltimore

Today began with what felt like an early start while still being a bit jet-lagged. Dad and I had one goal today and that was to get me all set up and moved into my apartment. We began by going to some Goodwill stores. We found me an old small bookshelf and a little nightstand, and a sturdy old chair. Then we went to a trusty old Wal-Mart and picked up some groceries.

Next stop was to my apartment to move in. It was a really hot day, and dad was dripping sweat like nothing else. Because I live on a busy street with no parking, we had to park in a parking terrace for $10 just to move my stuff in to one of the buildings nearby. We got the job done though, and got into my new home.

Eventually we decided to drive around and find a place to eat in the last half hour before dad had to say goodbye. We told Mabel to direct us to the Wendy’s that was a couple miles or so away. Due to terrible downtown traffic it took us ages to get there, just to find out that this old Wendy’s was now a drive-thru pharmacy. At this point, dad had to get going or else he was going to get charged a late fee for the rental car. This meant no food. Oh well. No food was fine. But saying goodbye was hard.

My dad pulled over to the side of the road next to my building, and I gave him a quick hug in the car. I got out of the car, my dad pulled away, and I walked to my building. All alone in a big city. I kept my sunglasses on, even in the building, so that no one could see my eyes in case I had a few tears forming. I got to my apartment, sat down, and didn’t know what to do. Even though I knew this was home, and I knew this is where I belonged, I cried for a bit. It’s hard being all alone in an unfamiliar place with no one to help you. I soon got over it though, and walked downstairs to the market and got some fruit to cheer me up. I made my bed too. That always makes me happy for some reason.

An hour or two later, my new roommate, Megan, came home and life quickly became spectacular. We first had an “fun” time trying to figure out the internet situation (I still don’t have internet as I’m initially writing this…it will be posted later), but it was an adventure anyway. We then decided to have fun for our first night together and take a night out in the city.

Megan and I walked downtown, through Inner Harbor, then to Fells Point where we had dinner at the Brick Oven pizza restaurant. It’s supposedly really famous and has been featured on the Food Network (who knew?). But yeah, it was really really good. We then ate some gelato next door, and got to chat outside in the nice cultural Fells Point area at twilight.

I started getting terrible allergies at this point, but I just had to deal. Hopefully they won’t last all summer… We began to walk back home. Halfway back, we took the metro. It was a really neat experience. It reminded me exactly of the metros I rode in DC three years ago. Overall, it was really a fun night, and it was a great experience to see the city on foot, and experience city night-life as well.

I think that I’ll like it here in Baltimore a lot. I’m still nervous about things, but I know that it will be okay.

Tomorrow I will get to go to JHU Hospital and get a TB test so that I can start work next week….