We met at Bradley at 9:30am -- everyone was on-time, properly outfitted, and excited for our upcoming adventure! We enjoyed some Dunkin' and quiet hang time before our flight to Charlotte.
Moments before we were called to board the first leg of our flight
In Charlotte, we enjoyed a modest layover. We took a lunch break and held a meeting to discuss roommate assignments, strategies for effective communication and conflict management, and organizational skills. In true Watkinson fashion, everyone was present, engaged, and thoughtful in the conversation.
Next, we geared up for the second leg of our flight: Charlotte to Vegas. It was about 4 and a half hours long, and much of it was turbulent. Fortunately, we landed safely and on time!
At the airport, we met our two awesome TFT guides, Courtney and Willoughby. They drove us to our hotels, where were able to freshen up before dinner. We ate at "Battista's Hole in the Wall" which was a multi-course Italian feast surrounded by eccentric but fascinating decor. Willoughby introduced us to the "phone tower" whereby we stack our phones in the center of the table to enjoy a dinner full of conversation and presence.
We returned to the hotel and took care of important business: TFT rules and expectations, evening medicine distribution, and logistics for tomorrow morning. We are all exhausted from a very long day--made even longer by jet lag. Nevertheless, our students were helpful, responsible, and gracious from start to finish, and I couldn't be more proud of them! The trip is off to a fantastic start.
