All eyes were fixed on the Arrival Gate at MBS Airport Thursday night as we awaited the arrival of the GSE Team from Portugal. Anxious chatter and introductions occurred between host families, Rotary members and the local GSE team as we glanced repeatedly at the arrival monitor hoping to witness the "On time" status change to "Arrived". At last, smart blue blazers were visible through the crowd exiting the airplane tunnel. Our advance planning went into action - welcome banners flew and cheering echoed in the hollow arrival gate. At last - they are here! It all feels real.
Two kisses - one on each cheek, was embraced by all, and was the scene for several minutes as the four team members and the team leader from Portugal were quickly introduced in a whirlwind of "bom dia's" and "Ola's".
Our international caravan paraded to the luggage carousel and continued the conversations - so enthralled in meeting each other that it was not noticed for quite a while that the luggage carousel stopped turning - and no luggage was to be found. Welcome to Michigan - carry on bags only! Oops... but swift action was taken on the part of our fearless GSE coordinators and promises of bags arriving before the night is through eased the minds of the weary travelers.
Our Michigan team was excited to welcome our visitors and couldn't help but to take this opportunity to make comparisons. Are our uniforms the right choice, they traveled during the day, we are flying overnight... can we wear slippers on the plane?? It was a moment of panic and excitement as we quickly came to realize that it is our turn very soon! And we can't wait!
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