My mother is by far my favorite person in the world to receive text messages from.
I remember her firsts attempts; her overwhelmed fingers tapping frantically as she would exclaim "But it's just easier to talk." I remember how she would spell out loud even the simplest words as she went (tap tap tap "OH" tap tap "KAY...") I remember sitting next to her in an Athens movie theater one mom's weekend, explaining to her how itap works, and stating that yes, it really is more convenient. I remember for weeks after, I received confusing messages with the words "home" and "good" or "me" and "of" reversed (which, as any itap user knows well, have the same combination of letters).
So here I sit awkwardly and alone, having absentmindedly boarded the plane before my row was announced. I fully acknowledge that I am way over-analyzing my mother's text messaging habits. I welcome the distraction though, as it keeps me from dwelling on my impending trip to Merida, the same city that in which I studied abroad last year. Far from having the confidence of a experienced traveler, I am anxious and all too aware that this year will be startlingly different. Different roommate. Different family. Different house. Brand new job. All this with much too little time spent practicing Spanish.
The seats around me finally full, I strap on my seat belt and just before shutting down my phone for take-off, I re-read the final text from my mother, imagining her doggedly typing and spelling aloud. Bon Voyage Baby!
And I'm off.
